Back in May before the start of training camps league wide I made a prediction of what the Bills final 53-man roster would look like for opening day this September. Today I’ll make another projection before the first roster cut down date this Tuesday and compare it to my original prediction. We will start with the offense.
You can view the entirety of my original prediction here:
Updated Buffalo Bills Roster Projection: The Offense
Starters at each position are underlined and rookies are noted with an asterisk (*).
Quarterbacks
Original Projection: Tyrod Taylor, E.J. Manuel, Cardale Jones*
Updated Projection: Tyrod Taylor, E.J. Manuel, Cardale Jones*
Cuts: Austin Trainor
This position not only remains unchanged but also one of the easiest to predict. Austin Trainor is a late signee who will get a chance to audition his skills for the Bills final preseason game with Jones nursing a sore shoulder. Taylor enters the season as the unquestioned starter and a new contract and Manuel remains the backup. Both are unlikely to play in Detroit to preserve their health for the season.
Running Backs
Original Projection: LeSean McCoy, Karlos Williams, Jonathon Williams*, Mike Gillislee
Updated Projection: LeSean McCoy, Reggie Bush, Mike Gillislee, Jonathon Williams*
Cuts: Dan Herron, Karlos Williams, James Wilder Jr.
Karlos Williams was a surprise cut a week ago after coming to camp overweight and getting a 4-game ban to start the season. General manager Doug Whaley stated that his release was performance based. Reggie Bush was signed near the beginning of camp to provide a boost as a returner and be used sparingly on offense. Bush will likely be used in a limited fashion during the season.
Herron and Wilder will likely be among the last cuts as the Bills will look to keep McCoy and Bush out of action until the season starts. McCoy showed burst and quickness that he lacked while injured last season and begins this season healthy. Gillislee and Williams have shown well enough to earn roster spots and potential carries to spell McCoy and Bush. This is a run first offense and the team learned the hard way last season that you can never have too many running backs.
Fullback:
Original Projection: Jerome Felton
Updated Projection: Jerome Felton
Cuts: Glenn Gronkowski*
This has become a difficult position to predict due to Gronkowski’s preseason performance. While he won’t show up as a leader on the stat sheet, ‘Baby Gronk’ has shown improved blocking skills as a lead blocker and on special teams. However, I do not think that he will push Felton off of this roster. Despite Felton’s fumble during the Giants game he remains a veteran blocker and would actually cost the team money if he were released this season. If the Bills decide to keep Gronkowski they will likely carry two fullbacks, an abnormality in a league that features rosters with a single player at the position. If Gronkowski were to be released, look for the Bills to try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Wide Receivers:
Original Projection: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Leonard Hankerson, Greg Salas, Kolby Listenbee*, Marcus Easley
Updated Projection: Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, Marquis Goodwin, Greg Salas, Greg Little, Walter Powell
PUP: Kolby Listenbee*, Marcus Easley
Cuts: Leonard Hankerson, Jarret Boykin, Dezmin Lewis, Davonte Allen*, Chris Chambers*, Kain Colter
The landscape of this position changed dramatically from how it looked in May when it was a complete toss up on who would make the roster outside of Watkins and Woods. As the off-season approaches its end the picture has become more clear. Marquis Goodwin returned after not qualifying for the Olympic Track team and showed renewed commitment to the game in football. His route running is crisp and he has committed to building the necessary bulk to remain healthy. Currently recovering from a concussion it appears as if Goodwin may have the 3rd spot locked down after an impressive camp and preseason.
Versatility
Salas remains a likely keeper for his contribution out of the slot. Greg Little provides great size on the outside and has had a decent preseason. He could be the first off the roster should Listenbee or Easley return from the PUP list later in the season. Easley is still recovering from a devastating knee injury suffered late last season and could end up on injured reserve again should he not be close to ready toward the halfway point of the season. Listenbee has gotten off to a disappointing start recovering from a sport hernia and has yet to practice with the team. It remains a possibility that the team releases him and attempts to sign him to the practice squad but his elite speed would make him a target for other teams to scoop up.
Powell has been a surprise this off-season, leading all Bills receivers through the preseason. He also offers ability as a returner, something the roster lacks outside of Reggie Bush. Lewis disappeared once the pads went on after an impressive mini-camp and could land on the practice squad again. Allen and Chambers were early casualties as well as Hankerson after a dreadful performance in the first preseason game. Boykin has made limited plays but could be amongst the final cuts. Colter has also failed to stand out.
Tight Ends:
Original Projection: Charles Clay, Jim Dray, Chris Gragg
Updated Projection: Charles Clay, Jim Dray, Nick O’Leary
Injured Reserve: Chris Gragg
Cuts: Blake Annen, Jimmay Mundine
This position would have remained the same as my original projection if not for Gragg’s recent season ending injury. An MCL tear as a result of a low tackle from the Redskins Deangelo Hall ended what could have been a promising year for Gragg as he was showing continued improvement. Clay remains the starter and Dray, while being invisible for camp, likely stays as the designated blocking tight end. O’Leary could remain as he knows the offense but could also be replaced by a waiver wire pick-up from another team. Annen will likely go back to the practice squad as the team continues to develop his game long term. This position remains in flux and could see other contributors added before the start of the regular season.
Offensive Tackle:
Original Projection: Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Seantrel Henderson, Keith Lumpkin*
Updated Projection: Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Seantrel Henderson, Cyrus Kouandijo
Cuts: Keith Lumpkin*, Chris Martin, Marquis Lucas*, Justin Renfrow
Glenn and Mills remain the starters, but in regards to Jordan Mills, it may only be temporary. Mills has struggled this off-season and with Henderson returning to the field after a 10-month absence his starting job could be in jeopardy. Henderson was only recently activated, yet has come back strong and could reclaim his job during the season. Kouandijo has shown improvement on the outside and has gotten plenty of work with Glenn sitting out nursing an ankle injury. Due to Henderson’s recent return to health and Kouandijo’s improvement the Bills will likely keep 4 tackles. The remaining young players have failed to make an impact though one could play themselves into a practice squad position.
Offensive Guard:
Original Projection: Richie Incognito, John Miller, Ryan Groy
Updated Projection: Richie Incognito, John Miller, Ryan Groy
Cuts: Jamison Lalk*, Cyril Richardson
This position remains unchanged as Incognito and Miller enter the season as the starters again. The hope is that Miller can improve on a inconsistent rookie season that had him in and out of the lineup due to injuries. His continued improvement is vital to the success of the line. Also vital to the offensive line’s success is the health of Incognito who suffered a rib injury during the preseason. He returned to practice and appears to be fine but the Bills hope that he can play another season like last year.
Groy was the first man in when Incognito went down and has been the top interior backup throughout training camp. He has even gotten a look at center which could lead to the Bills keeping only 4 interior linemen to keep an extra tackle. Richardson and Lalk will likely get the final game to showcase their skills to other teams. They could also get a shot at a practice squad spot.
Center:
Original Projection: Eric Wood, Fernando Velasco
Updated Projection: Eric Wood, Fernando Velasco
Cuts: Robert Kugler*
Eric Wood remains the unquestioned starter at the pivot. The question to be answered is how many interior offensive linemen do the Bills keep? If they decide to only go with four total veteran Fernando Velasco could be on the outside looking in. Velasco has been invisible this offseason and has seen Ryan Groy enter as the top reserve inside AND get work as a center. Because Velasco can play all 3 interior positions I can see the Bills holding onto the free agent signee and go into the season with 8 offensive linemen on the roster. Kugler could be amongst the first cuts this weekend.
Main Photo:
ORCHARD PARK, NY – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills watches game action against the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter on December 27, 2015 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Dallas 16-6. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
