Buffalo Bills: 53-man roster prediction before training camp
By Jason Mattis
Cornerbacks
For the starters the only sure thing is All-Pro Tre’Davious White. Besides that the position group is filled with talent and competition. Opposite him will be the winner of Josh Norman versus Levi Wallace.
The nickel corner position is between Taron Johnson and E.J Gaines. The loser in both of those competitions will stick on the roster and especially Gaines if he can stay healthy as he can cover as an outside corner as well. 2020 seventh rounder, Dane Jackson, will prove enough in camp to warrant a spot as well. Again, another position group that seems straight forward.
Predictions: White, Norman, Wallace, Johnson, Gaines, and Jackson (6)
Safeties
Since nobody can push starters Micah Hyde or Jordan Poyer for their roles this group comes down to depth. That group consist of Dean Marlowe, Siran Neal, and Jaquan Johnson. Marlowe is trusted by the coaching staff going as far back to his days in Carolina. Johnson showed well in Week 17 last year that he could develop into a starter once Hyde and Poyer are no longer around.
Unfortunately, for Neal, while he played well last year as a nickel he gets caught up in a numbers game and the talent crunch that this roster now possesses.
Predictions: Hyde, Poyer, Marlowe, and Johnson (4)