Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster prediction before training camp
By Jason Mattis
Defensive Line
This group’s identity will be versatility as many of the guys they keep will be able to play both inside and outside. Harrison Phillips will also return from injury bolstering this already top unit. Traditionally, this group only keeps eight players, but we know how much emphasis head coach Sean McDermott puts on line rotation. They also invested heavily, relatively speaking, this offseason on adding guys they believe can be instant contributors.
In an offseason that has thrown potential future salary cap numbers into question, cutting and saving could play a role too. Enter Trent Murphy and his nearly $9 million in cap savings if he were to be cut. That sure would be nice to roll over into next season when trying to re-sign guys they have drafted. Replacing his role will be the winner of the Mike Love versus Darryl Johnson competition.
Predictions: Jerry Hughes, Mario Addison, A.J. Epenesa, Daryl Johnson, Ed Oliver, Harrison Phillips, Star Lotulelei, Vernon Butler, and Quinton Jefferson (9).
Linebackers
New addition A.J. Klein should be the player starting next to Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano when the Bills keep three linebackers on the field. The other guys round out depth and will be key special team performers.
This was one of the more straight forward positions on the roster and only Tyrel Dodson appears to have a chance at cracking the roster.
Predictions: Edmunds, Milano, Klein, Corey Thompson, Tyler Matakevich, and Vosean Joseph (6).