The perfect time to reward White

The Buffalo Bills have put themselves in a position to do pretty much whatever they want once free agency arrives. Three years of course-correcting under Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott has Buffalo sitting $80 million under the salary cap. Not bad for a team on the rise.

Beane isn’t known for spending recklessly, but he certainly has the ability to make a splash if he feels there’s an elite player or two that can take Buffalo to the next level. Buffalo spent big on Mitch Morse last spring, making him the highest-paid center in the league. That move paid off immediately and should continue to do so for many years to come.

Beane could make Amari Cooper one of the highest-paid receivers in the NFL. Buffalo could add Hunter Henry, giving Josh Allen an elite tight end to work within the red zone. Beane could add a top pass rusher to bolster Buffalo’s already strong defense.

Any of those moves could be a potential franchise-changer. And they’d sure be exciting.

The Bills’ first priority this offseason, however, shouldn’t involve outside free-agent additions. It shouldn’t involve any of their own upcoming free agents, like Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips, either.

Buffalo should see all of that money under the salary cap and realize it’s the perfect time to pay one of their own players who is likely two years away from free agency — one who happens to be their best overall player — Tre’Davious White.

White was already one of the best young cornerbacks in the league heading into last season. Yes, Bills fans can bemoan the fact that Buffalo passed up on Patrick Mahomes in 2017, trading out of the pick that eventually became the Super Bowl MVP, but White has turned out to be one heckuva consolation price. He’s no longer just one of the best “young” cornerbacks in the NFL, he’s one of the very best periods.