The 2026 Buffalo Bills are Super Bowl contenders, but that doesn't mean their roster is settled. At training camp kicks off, there are battles for position happening everywhere. Whilst some battles are for starting jobs, others are simply players fighting to have a roster spot. These are those players; On the roster bubble, hoping it doesn't pop from beneath them.
6 Bills players who are on the roster bubble heading into training camp
S Damar Hamlin
The safety spot was a costly one for the Bills in 2025. They had no consistent help for Cole Bishop, having to rely on aging and injured veteran Jordan Poyer as a last-ditch re-run to scrape together a startable performance. This season, Damar Hamlin returns from injury to fight against a much more qualified unit.
The Bills acquired Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone, as well as drafting Jalon Kilgore, to join Jordan Hancock and Sam Franklin Jr. That group is fighting for one starting spot and possibly two depth spots. Hamlin was not the man last season, and he doesn't project to be contributing this year either. He enters training camp as a massive longshot to make the 53 roster.
LB Jimmy Ciarlo
A fan favourite at linebacker last offseason, Jimmy Ciarlo returns for another chance in 2026. He has a shot at making the team - Linebacker is a spot of major turmoil this training camp. Still, he's at the bottom of a long list of middle-ground players, and they're all fighting just as hard.
He sits behind rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr, longtime contributors Joe Andreessen and Dorian Williams, and another special teams contributor in Keonta Jenkins. Of the bunch, he's the last man on the list as training camp kicks off. He has a chance, but it will take everything he has just to win the LB5 spot.
WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
The 2026 Buffalo Bills WR core is substantially improved upon when compared to the 2025 wide receivers. The team traded for D.J. Moore, and drafted Skyler Bell in the 4th round, raising both the ceiling and floor long-term. Unfortunately for the returning Mecole Hardman Jr, that puts him on the roster bubble entering training camp.
He offers a great deal of special teams upside, and will have to utilize it to make the 53-man roster. Until then, Hardman is on the outside looking in.
CB Daryl Porter Jr.
The Bills have one corner that's not realistically expected to make the team, and his name is Daryl Porter Jr. The son of Daryl Porter, a former Buffalo CB in his own right, Porter has the pedigree but not the reputation.
Where the second-year player excels is his cost. Still, with notable additions to the Bills CB room in both the 2025 and 2026 NFL Drafts, he's currently the odd man out. He will need to prove himself rosterable in training camp. His best path is if Dorian Strong has to go to injured reserve to start the season; It's a real possibility.
OLB Mike Danna
When the Buffalo Bills signed former Kansas City Chiefs OLB Mike Danna a few weeks ago, it seemed to round out a solid pass-rushing group. The issue is, he has to make the team first. Danna is competing against more familiar players, like Javon Solomon, and Landon Jackson, as well as long-term investments like Michael Hoecht and the rookie T.J. Parker.
Mike Danna enters training camp as the bottom of the batting order. Where he excels is his experience; Danna can do a lot, and has the veteran status to sell himself on security. He doesn't get any guarantees though.
OT Tylan Grable
The Buffalo Bills are stacked at offensive tackle. Not only do they have two of the NFL's best starting OTs under contract long-term, but their depth is solid and they've just added another mid-round draft pick to the mix.
The addition of Jude Bowry as the second pick of the 4th round doesn't take out the bottom of the roster, it removes the middle. Players like Tylan Grable, in their third season of a rookie contract, are suddenly less valuable. Grable still has a chance to make the Bills final 9 OL, but he's fighting for a spot as soon as training camp opens.
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