The Buffalo Bills begin their three-game preseason schedule Saturday when they welcome the Chicago Bears to Highmark Stadium.
Although most of the Bills roster is pretty much set in stone barring injuries, there are still a handful of jobs up for grabs. Training camp performance is important, but ultimately those final few spots on the depth chart will likely be won or lost in the exhibition contests.
This is the second roster projection of the offseason. Here’s the first from early June for reference:
Bills 53-Man Roster Projection (v1.0)
As you’d expect, there are some changes after a few months of OTAs and camp practices. Let’s dig in.
2024 Buffalo Bills 53-Man Roster Projection (v2.0; Before 1st Preseason Game)
Quarterbacks (2): Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
Allen wasn’t perfect throughout camp, but that was mostly expected while building a rapport with a new set of receivers. He’s still an MVP candidate.
Any thought Shane Buechele could push Trubisky for the backup job hasn’t developed. He’s a strong bet to land on the Bills practice squad.
Running Backs (4): James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
The Bills will likely utilize the short passing game more frequently in 2024 and Cook has struggled with drops. In turn, keep an eye on Johnson. He’s a more fluid pass-catcher and that could allow him to earn a bigger role than expected.
Davis put together a modest first NFL camp, but neither Darrynton Evans nor fellow rookie Frank Gore Jr. has done anything to leapfrog him for the final RB spot.
Wide Receivers (6): Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins, KJ Hamler
Valdes-Scantling found his roster spot in danger after a sluggish start to camp. He’s since bounced back with a couple of nice plays on deep balls to put himself back in the safe zone.
Hollins’ stock is on the rise because of his blocking ability, which will be needed following the free-agent departure of Gabe Davis. Hamler holds the early lead in the returner competition, which aids his quest to make the 53-man.
Tight Ends (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris
Zach Davidson has made a strong push with a standout stretch of practices. It’s hard to imagine him leapfrogging any of the Bills’ top three tight ends, though. Buffalo will likely try to sneak him on its practice squad, but another team may swoop in to grab him as its TE3.
Kincaid is primed to emerge as Allen’s top target and should be a fantasy stud as a result.
Offensive Line (9): Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, La’el Collins, Ryan Van Demark, Will Clapp
McGovern has struggled at times with the center-quarterback exchange. However, it’s improved in recent practices, so his starting role doesn’t appear in jeopardy. The first five names listed are locked in as starters barring injury.
The Bills will probably end up keeping 10 offensive linemen, but there are some moving parts at other positions that must be sorted out. Alec Anderson is the likely choice for that final spot.
EDGE (5): Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon
Miller is looking far more like an impact player than he did last season, which is great news for the Bills defensive line. Buffalo uses a heavy rotation, so no single edge-rusher’s numbers may jump off the page, but as a whole it should be an effective group.
Solomon has flashed throughout camp. The rookie should be ready for a key role in 2025.
Defensive Tackles (5): Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, DeShawn Williams, Austin Johnson
This is one position where the Bills may trim an extra player. That said, they struggled to find serviceable depth while Jones was injured last year and may want to avoid the same problem this year, which is why they’re projected to keep both Williams and Johnson. At least for now.
Linebackers (5): Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Deion Jones
The Bills only use two starting linebackers, so they can get away with only five on the roster. It’s still one of the most active competitions on the roster with Spector and Jones looking to hold off the likes of Nicholas Morrow and Edefuan Ulofoshio.
Cornerbacks (6): Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy, Ja’Marcus Ingram
Not a ton of movement here. Everything seems mostly locked in. Elam has appeared to finally make some sustained progress after a few underwhelming years since being selected in the first round of the 2022 draft. That’s crucial in terms of giving the CB group enough depth.
Safeties (5): Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis
Only four safeties are going to make the final roster in all likelihood. The picture won’t come fully into focus until it’s clear whether Edwards (hamstring) and Bishop (shoulder) can return from their injuries for the start of the regular season, though. A Rapp-Hamlin starting tandem for Week 1 is possible. Could Micah Hyde return? Maybe.
Kicker (1): Tyler Bass
The Bills’ refusal to bring in competition for Bass remains a head-scratcher. His performance dropped in 2023, including a missed game-tying field goal in the final minutes of a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and he’s remained a bit shaky during camp. If he misses some kicks in the preseason it’ll be time to bring in another veteran.
Punter (1): Sam Martin
Martin locked up the punter competition in late July when the Bills released his competition, Jack Browning.
Long Snapper (1): Reid Ferguson
In the past, the Bills have released Ferguson during final cuts for some added roster flexibility and then signed him back before Week 1. That’s possible again, especially with the uncertainty at safety, but he’s among the NFL’s best and one way or another he’ll be out there against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 8.
Buffalo and Chicago open the preseason on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
Main Photo: Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK
