Even though the only Buffalo Bills starter that played in the Week 2 preseason matchup against Chicago was Cole Bishop, that shouldn't have stopped the back-ups from not showing up. In fact, that should have given them a stronger incentive to work even harder to earn a starting position.
While it was encouraging to see Bishop return, let's hope that Sean McDermott works them hard and gets them ready to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium this coming Saturday for their third and final preseason matchup.
Buffalo Bills' 53-man roster projection after second preseason game
Let's take a look at the 53-man roster projection and a list of the promising practice squad players that can still make the team.
QB (3): Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky, Mike White
Josh Allen isn't going anywhere Bills Mafia. The only place the franchise quarterback wants to go is to the top of the NFL world at the end of the season.
It's Super Bowl or bust this year, and Allen wants to be able to win a Lombardi Trophy after signing a 6-year, $330 million extension this offseason.
As for the backup and third-string role, Trubisky's running ability and knowledge of how to run Joe Brady's offense gives him the backup spot, while Mike White's veteran presence earns him third on the depth chart.
RB (3): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
After a long period of negotiations and holdouts, James Cook and the Buffalo Bills agreed to a fair deal of 4 years, $48 million, which is $3 million a year less ($12 million) than he originally asked for ($15 million). Cook is here to stay for the next 4 years, which is all that counts.
Despite the big contract, Ray Davis will still expect to see a bigger role as a backup and look to build off a solid rookie season. Ty Johnson is here for at least two more years and is known as the Bills' best pass blocking back.
The dynamic trio at running back have all returned and are looking to keep playing their roles. Cook is aiming for a third straight 1,000+ rushing yard season.
FB (1): Reggie Gilliam
Despite fullbacks evolving into more of a half-back in the passing game, Gilliam has proven he can do that while also still being a retro run blocker out of the I-formation.
WR (6): Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, Joshua Palmer, Elijah Moore, Laviska Shenault
The Bills faced criticism in the draft for not adding more receivers to the mix, but they didn't need to, as this core of six will work well with Allen this season. Keon Coleman looks to have a breakout and healthy sophomore season, while Khalil Shakir looks to continue to do Khalil Shakir things.
In the three slot, Tyrell Shavers finally makes the roster due to his excellent route running, and ability to make the sweet catches with his great hands. Shavers finally earns this opportunity after being on the practice squad the last two years.
So this sadly means we have to say goodbye to Curtis Samuel. Samuel is a class act and a great receiver, but has a large cap hit that the Bills can't afford to keep. The good news is he could be a trade target for a team possibly willing to give the Bills back some mid-late round draft picks for the future.
TE (3): Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, Jackson Hawes
The Bills roll with three tight ends this season, as Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid are locked in as the two receiving tight ends. The third tight end is where the best blocker goes, and that would be rookie Jackson Hawes.
Knox and Kincaid could also be used in a twin tight end set, while Hawes could be added in a triple tight end set to help Cook and the others run the ball.
OL (9): Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Chase Lundt, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Tylan Grable
While all nine of these players are talented linemen, the leaders of the group are the two tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. You can't have a solid offensive line without the two bookend tackles, which Dawkins and Brown are.
Also, look for swing tackle Alec Anderson, who has contagious energy and motivation that rubs off on the rest of the team in a positive way. He's almost like having an old-school player-coach on the field.
DE (5): Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, Landon Jackson, A.J. Epenesa, Michael Hoecht (suspended), Javon Solomon
All five of these edge rushers are talented additions, but the two to watch out for are Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa.
Rousseau is now a wealthy man after signing a four-year, $80 million extension, and he should have no problem as he looks to earn his first Pro Bowl nod. As for newcomer Joey Bosa, people know his name and talent, but he needs to be able to stay healthy, hence why Buffalo signed him for only one year.
If both stay healthy, this young defense could be generational and help Allen win his first Super Bowl this year.
DT (5): Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi (suspended), DeWayne Carter
Both Ed Oliver and DeWayne Carter are returning for different reasons. Oliver is looking to have another fantastic season, while Carter is looking to improve from his rookie season.
Also, be on the lookout for rookies TJ Sanders and Deone Walker to show what they can do. Sanders is a tall, lean, and athletic defensive tackle who is quick to get in the backfield. Walker is a mountain of a man at 6 feet 7 inches, 331 pounds.
LB (5): Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Joe Andreessen, Dorian Williams, Edefuan Ulofoshio
This linebacking core can't be finished without mentioning, "Buffalo Joe". Joe Andreessen is now a fan favorite after last year, making the 53-man roster due to a strong preseason. This year, he not only makes the roster, but he also earns more time in the rotation due to his work ethic, quickness, and fantastic instincts.
Meanwhile, Matt Milano looked healthy in the preseason and hopefully, this will translate into the regular season. If he reverts to the dangerous version of himself, along with Terrel Bernard, this linebacking corps will be causing more turnovers than last year.
CB (5): Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Tre'Davious White, Daequan Hardy, Dorian Strong
The Bills realized that once they beefed up their d-line, they needed to add to their secondary. Even with rookie Maxwell Hairston injured right now, he probably wouldn't have been a day-one starter right away.
Tre White will most likely be starting opposite Christian Benford on opening day versus the Ravens. Dequan Hardy makes it because of his special teams abilities.
This could be a dominant unit on the defensive side of the ball if their d-line is playing well.
S (4): Taylor Rapp, Jordan Hancock, Cole Bishop, Cam Lewis
Taylor Rapp and Cole Bishop are natural starters at safety, but Jordan Hancock and Cam Lewis are versatile and can play safety as well as cornerback. The rookie Hancock looked impressive in the last two preseason games and has already shown he's ready for Week 1 in game shape and with size.
Bishop was the only starter to play in the preseason game vs. the Bears. If he can be 100% healthy for all 17 games, look for him alongside Rapp to form the next great Bills' safety tandem.
ST (3): (P) Brad Robbins, (K) Tyler Bass, (LS) Reid Ferguson
Robbins won the punting competition over Jake Camarada in camp and will be the Bills' opening day punter against Baltimore. Meanwhile, Tyler Bass, when he gets healthy, will be the Bills' kicker, but right now, Caden Davis has been kicking in the preseason.
Promising practice squad players:
- QB Shane Buechele
- RB Darrynton Evans
- WR Kaden Prather
- TE Zach Davidson
- OL Ryan Van Demark
- OL Travis Clayton
- OT Mike Edwards
- DT Casey Rogers
- DT Zion Logue
- LB Keonta Jenkins
- CB Te'Cory Couch
- S Darrick Forrest