Biggest post-draft questions still to be answered by the Buffalo Bills:
What is general manager Doug Whaley's future? Whaley retained control of the Bills' 53-man roster when Buffalo hired coach Sean McDermott in January, but speculation has persisted that Whaley's future could be in question. Pro Football Talk reported last week that Bills scouts believed they were getting fired after the draft, and when asked about that report during the draft, McDermott did not directly refute it. McDermott simply said that Whaley and his scouting staff did a "phenomenal job" in the draft. If Whaley is going to stay, the Bills should state that. If he is fired, then it should happen soon so the situation does not continue to drag out.
Do the Bills pick up Sammy Watkins' fifth-year option? The Bills must inform Watkins prior to Wednesday if they are exercising his fifth-year option. If exercised, the deal would pay $13.258 million in 2018; that amount is guaranteed only for injury until next March, at which point it becomes fully guaranteed. The Bills have delayed their decision on Watkins to monitor how he recovers from offseason foot surgery. If the Bills believe they are taking too much of a risk in exercising the option because of Watkins' injury history, they could decline the option for the former No. 4 overall pick and he will enter the final season of his contract this year.
Who starts at weakside linebacker? The Bills entered this draft with needs at cornerback, wide receiver and linebacker. They used a first-round pick (No. 27) on cornerback Tre'Davious White and a second-round pick (No. 37) on wide receiver Zay Jones, but they did not address their linebacker need until the fifth round (Matt Milano) and sixth round (Tanner Vallejo). Both of those players are more likely to become special-teams contributors as rookies. With Ramon Humber penciled in as the Bills' starting weakside linebacker alongside Reggie Ragland (middle linebacker) and Lorenzo Alexander (strong side), the Bills could look back to free agency for some veteran help.
Who is the No. 2 quarterback? In drafting Nathan Peterman in the fifth round, the Bills add a fourth quarterback to the mix of players competing for roles on the 53-man roster. While McDermott did not commit to Tyrod Taylor as his starting quarterback when asked Saturday, the most likely scenario is that Taylor remains as the starter and either Peterman, 2016 fourth-round pick Cardale Jones or veteran T.J. Yates takes over the No. 2 role. That job will be up for grabs this summer, and there is no guarantee that Jones remains on the Bills' roster this season.
Do the Bills look back to free agency? Buffalo has about $11 million in cap space as we enter May, which is typically when teams take a second look at the free-agent market to fill holes they did not address in the draft. Linebacker is one position that could prompt more free-agent visits for Buffalo, and depth at running back, tight end and defensive end can also be boosted with a veteran free-agent signing.