Predicting Sean McDermott’s final Buffalo Bills rosters wasn’t hard.
That’s not a knock on him. His roster breakdowns by position didn’t deviate much year to year. And in large part, every NFL roster is a bit cookie-cutter.
But a defensive-minded coach like McDermott is likely going to be more apt to keep an extra defensive player. By that thinking, it would seem Joe Brady is more likely to keep an extra offensive player in a toss-up scenario, but we don’t know. His first NFL roster is due by 6 p.m. Sunday.
This is the biggest bubble the Bills have had since Brandon Beane became general manager in 2017. There are over 10 players angling for the final four or five spots on the team.
And then throw in the fact that Beane has made 14 trades during his career involving a player between the start of training camp to Week 1. Let’s also not forget 1,200 players leaguewide are going to be released at the same time, although teams like the Bills are more likely to lose players destined for their practice squad than to cherry pick from someone else’s.
Quarterbacks (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen
Cuts (1): Shane Buechele.
Analysis: There was never a real battle for the backup quarterback job. It was Kyle Allen’s the moment he signed a two-year contract.
Running backs (4): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Ben VanSumeren (fullback)
Cuts (2): Frank Gore Jr., Ian Wheeler.
Analysis: Brady refused to commit to a fullback, but he’s done quite a bit to feature VanSumeren during the preseason and none of the tight ends have lined up at fullback. Given how much he used a fullback last year, it would be surprising if they didn’t keep one.
Wide receivers (5): Skyler Bell, Keon Coleman, D.J. Moore, Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir
Injured reserve (1): Tyrell Shavers.
Cuts (7): Stephen Gosnell, Mecole Hardman Jr., Ja’Mori Maclin, Dante Pettis, Trent Sherfield Sr., Quentin Skinner, Max Tomczak.
Analysis: It’s hard to recall Sherfield making a catch in practice. But he had five in the last two preseason games and he’s a special teams ace. But the Bills likely don’t have room for him, so he might be a practice squad candidate considering he doesn’t have to clear waivers.
Tight ends (3): Jackson Hawes, Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox
Cuts (2): Keleki Latu, Shane Zylstra.
Analysis: Latu might have been considered over VanSumeren earlier in the preseason, but he’s been awfully quiet. So the Bills run it back with the obvious three.
Offensive linemen (9): Alec Anderson, Jude Bowry, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Dion Dawkins, Tylan Grable, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence
Cuts (5): Nick Broeker, Bruno Fina, Sincere Haynesworth, Chase Lundt, Ar’maj Reed-Adams, De’Metrius Weatherspoon.
Trade (1): Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.
Analysis: Van Pran-Granger never became the player the Bills thought. And now they have many options behind McGovern. A trade wouldn’t net much, but offensive linemen are in short supply.
Interior defensive linemen (6): Zane Durant, Greg Gaines, Landon Jackson, Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker
Cuts (4): DeWayne Carter, Travis Clayton, Zion Logue, Phidarian Mathis.
Analysis: It was a disappointing camp for Carter, who the Bills love in the locker room. The former third-round pick struggled coming off a torn Achilles. It’s possible they could find a trade partner for him, but there doesn’t appear to be room for him on the roster.
Outside linebackers (5): Bradley Chubb, Michael Hoecht, T.J. Parker, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon
Cuts (3): Mike Danna, Cade Denhoff, Andre Jones Jr.
Analysis: Solomon could be an IR candidate so they can sneak someone else onto the roster. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Danna and/or Jones stay on the practice squad. Jones had a strong preseason, he just lost the numbers game.
Inside linebackers (5): Joe Andreessen, Terrel Bernard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Keonta Jenkins, Dorian Williams
Cuts (3): Jimmy Ciarlo, Theron Gaines, Otis Reese IV.
Analysis: Keeping less than five linebackers is a gamble, especially considering Bernard’s injury history. Andreessen was injured during the spring, fell behind Jenkins on the depth chart and was injured for the preseason finale. But he can play both linebacker spots and he’s gifted on special teams.
Cornerbacks (6): Dee Alford, Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Jordan Hancock, Davison Igbinosun, Kani Walker
Cuts (4): Jordan Dunbar, Anthony Kendall, D.J. Miller, Toriano Pride Jr.
Analysis: The only question mark is Walker. But his appearance against the Steelers was brief, which is typically a good indication. The Bills might be looking for more experience on the waiver wire, but Walker has been the best of the candidates to be the fourth boundary cornerback.
Safeties (6): Cole Bishop, Sam Franklin Jr., C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Damar Hamlin, Jalon Kilgore
Cuts (3): Te’Cory Couch, Geno Stone, Wande Owens.
Analysis: Cutting Franklin makes the most sense. Cutting Franklin would also be a surprise. The Bills signed him to a three-year extension during the offseason because they love his special teams play, despite not offering much as a safety. Stone struggled during camp and Hamlin has been steady.
Special teams (3): Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr., Reid Ferguson
Cuts (1): Mitch Wishnowsky.
Analysis: Doman has been the better, healthier punter. And teams don’t often cut specialists they spend a draft pick on.
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