With the 2025 NFL Draft fading from memory and training camp on the horizon, the Buffalo Bills roster for the season has largely taken shape. There's a lot of work to be done, and plenty of players still elsewhere in the league that could make this final 53-man squad. This is, undoubtedly, way too early. Still, a baseline for the offseason activities has to begin somewhere, so join us in predicting the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster.
Way-too-early Bills 2025 roster prediction
Offense (23)
We're starting where there are the most established players and the least movement this offseason; On offense.
Quarterback (2) - Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
Cuts: Mike White (PS), Shane Buchele
The quarterback position is one that we don't need to think about. Reigning MVP Josh Allen is starting. Trubisky is the established backup in this offense and Mike White was the preferred practice squad QB. Shane Buchele, coming off the IR from last season, is unlikely to unseat either player.
Running Back (3) - James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
Cuts: Frank Gore (PS), Darrynton Evans
You may think that this running back room looks familiar, and it is. The team had these exact same five running backs rostered at this time last season. We saw how that worked out. James Cook, despite his current contract situation, is the starter and will likely play his season. Ray Davis had some great moments for 2024, and is expected to re-establish himself as RB2 this season. Ty Johnson, a fan favorite, was a highly effective blocker and receiver, offering valuable third-down traits that make him a useful role player for the Buffalo Bills.
Frank Gore Jr. may have been a solid fill-in, but he doesn't beat out any of the mentioned players for a roster spot. An ideal practice squad candidate in year two, Gore can expect a call-up from the PS if the opportunity presents itself. Darrynton Evans is familiar to the team, but hasn't shown production and his injuries have kept him from his best performance. A good player, but likely not the one Buffalo keeps.
Fullback (1) - Reggie Gilliam
There's no competition. Reggie Gilliam has been an exemplary special teamer who led the team in snaps, with a skillset that Buffalo can lean on when the time is right. He's hardworking, a team player, and does what's asked. Gilliam will be a Bill in 2025.
Wide Receiver (5) - Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore
Cuts: Tyrell Shavers (PS), Laviska Shenault (PS), Kaden Prather (PS), Jalen Virgil, KJ Hamler, Kelly Akharaiyi, Stephen Gosnell, Kristian Wilkerson
Last season, the Buffalo Bills stunned the league by only carrying five WRs from an already-limited group. Then, Allen went on to win the NFL MVP award, despite having Khalil Shakir leading a number of role players. Maybe the Bills were onto something after all.
Coming off his fresh new contract extension worth up to $60.2m, Shakir leads this group again. Right behind him is the second-year player Keon Coleman. Coleman had his moments last year before his injury, and is expected to be right back at it for training camp. A physical player who can block and beat receivers deep, Keon could be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
Following them is new signing Joshua Palmer. The former Chargers WR has the skills to be a major field-stretcher in this offense. His three-year deal gives the team great consistency at a position which has seen a lot of it change. Josh Allen will appreciate that consistency. Curtis Samuel may not have excelled in 2024, but it wasn't from lack of talent. His usage was questionable, his snap count underwhelming; Year 2 likely has the answers to that issue.
Lastly, Elijah Moore, the former New York Jets and Cleveland Browns receiver. Moore will be solid, productive depth, and gets high-level quarterback play for the first time as he enters the fifth year of his career.
The most immediate practice squad choices would likely be Tyrell Shavers and Laviska Shenault, with their range of physical and proven traits. Shavers, the big-bodied physical threat, and Shenault, the versatile kick returner. The 2025 7th rounder, Kaden Prather, rounds out the practice squad group.
Tight End (3) - Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
Cuts: Zach Davidson (PS), Keleki Latu
Dalton Kincaid may not have given fans the explosive 2024 season they were hoping for, but he continues to rehab back to full strength. Though Kincaid is still clearly the biggest receiving threat at TE on the roster, it's reassuring to have Dawson Knox active and contributing. The pair form two of Josh Allen's favorite targets, and the Bills are lucky to have them.
Buffalo established depth at the role when they drafted Jackson Hawes. An avid blocker in the run game, and capable target, he shores up the group and gives them a boost in physical, run-heavy game plans.
They would like to retain Zach Davidson on the practice squad, but he's one they could risk losing by cutting.
Offensive Line (9) - Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Chase Lundt, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Ryan Van Demark
Cuts: Travis Clayton (PS), Tylan Grable (PS), Kendrick Green (PS), Mike Edwards (PS), Richard Gouriage, Jacob Bayer, Rush Reimer
Buffalo elects to run it back for 2025, returning their full starting five offensive linemen. It's not a surprising move, as they were the best passing and run blocking combo Josh Allen has had in his entire career.
Dion Dawkins blocked Josh Allen right up the stairs to accept the MVP award, and the rest of the unit helped get him there. Spencer Brown has evolved into one of the NFL's most punishing tackles. The cohesive abilities of Edwards, McGovern, and Torrence to create gaps for the interior run game is a true boon.
Behind that powerhouse, we find three familiar faces and one new one. Alec Anderson becomes the immediate swing tackle backup, and Sedrick Van Pran-Granger steps into a role as a versatile interior lineman who can take over at each spot. Backing them up is the familiar Ryan Van Demark, followed by new draftee Chase Lundt. He joined Buffalo in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and brings impressive physical traits to the table.
For the practice squad, the Buffalo Bills add former Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans IOL Kendrick Green. They say goodbye to Richard Gouriage in order to keep Tylan Grable, the 2024 6th round pick, and their preferred pick of the two.
Grable was elevated on gameday over Gouriage several times throughout 2024. Joining them will be Travis Clayton, of the International Player Pathways Program. A British rugby player who skeptically spent 2024 on the Bills injured reserve, Clayton has been learning the position. He will join the 16-man practice squad as the special-designation 17th player. Lastly, second-year IOL Mike Edwards fills out some depth at guard.
Defense (27)
The Bills saw a mountain of turnover last season on defense, and 2025 is no different. The draft was chock full of defensive studs. Buffalo made their focus clear, and loaded the roster with fresh faces.
Defensive Tackle (5) - Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi (SUS)
Cuts: Zion Logue (PS), Devin Brandt-Epps
Last season, the Buffalo Bills carried only four defensive tackles into the regular season. It wasn't a surprising move, but one they'll be departing from in 2025. Their various moves at DT, both within the NFL Draft and out of it, make a more promising group than we've seen for the Bills in a decade.
Leading the unit is Ed Oliver, the undersized but effective interior rusher. Oliver had another up-and-down season last year, but there's no reason to believe he won't continue to disrupt as he has so many times before. Alongside him, DaQuan Jones returns. Jones was not the impact player of previous seasons in 2024, but still offers useful skills that Buffalo cannot do without.
Behind the expected starters lies newfound depth. DeWayne Carter, entering his second season, can expect an increased role. Next to Carter, a pair of early draftees that have Bills fans both confused an intrigued. TJ Sanders and Deone Walker.
Sanders was a solid pick, standing at 6'4 and 297lbs, who will look to lock down the interior and let the pass rushers go to work. Walker was a surprise, but not an unpleasant one. A physically imposing player, Deone stands at 6'7 and 331lbs. Dominating and physical, violent player with starting movement skills for his frame. Buffalo traded up to get him in round four of the 2025 NFL Draft, and will be using him sparingly as his rookie season gets underway.
Hitting the suspended list for the first six games of the season, making him exempt from the 53-man roster, former Steelers DT Larry Ogunjobi will be a contributor down the line. For now he's off the roster. The only way Buffalo keeps their best eggs is with one still in the fridge. When he returns, they face a difficult decision with DaQuan Jones.
On the practice squad, Buffalo takes only one DT, Zion Logue. Logue is a promising young player, turning 23 this season, with great physical trait the Bills will want to keep working with.
Defensive End/Edge (5) - Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, AJ Epenesa, Michael Hoecht (SUS)
Cuts: Paris Shand (PS), Casey Rogers (PS), Hayden Harris
There is a cost for the Bills new defensive tackle group. In keeping so many, they must resign one at defensive end. It's no sacrifice, with Greg Rousseau and Joey Bosa taking up the top tier. Bosa joined Buffalo on a one-year deal to try and win a Super Bowl, and the team needs some of that effort earlier than expected.
Rookie DE Landon Jackson was a steal in the third round. Buffalo secured a young player with proven college production and remarkable motor. He will need to step up and contribute right away in a rotational unit.
A.J. Epenesa returns for his probable final season in Buffalo, providing depth and rotational snaps that have proven useful for the Bills. His work around the edge has been invaluable since he was drafted in 2020, and he enters this season looking for a brand new deal.
Javon Solomon will accompany him to round out the initial unit. Solomon is entering his second season, and gave the Bills good snaps in 2024. His work as a special teams contributor keeps him in this roster above all else.
Lastly, Michael Hoecht, the combo DE-LB-DT from the L.A. Rams, starts his season on the suspended list also, serving the same six games as Larry Ogunjobi. When the versatile and physical threat returns, Buffalo will need to say goodbye to either Epenesa or Solomon, barring something dramatic in another position group.
The practice squad is rounded out by the additions of Paris Shand and Casey Rogers. Shand, who was undrafted but selected in round two of the CFL Draft, offers solid physical traits. Rogers brings a large, powerful frame that can get leverage on the edge.
Linebacker (6) - Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Joe Andreessen, Baylon Spector
Cuts: Keonta Jenkins
Terrel Bernard is the Buffalo Bills middle linebacker of the future- They made that very clear when they gave him a four-year contract extension to keep him in Buffalo through 2029. The opposite can be said of Matt Milano. His contract was renegotiated with the team to make this his final season in Bills blue.
Coming off several injuries, Milano hasn't returned to the heights he was playing at two seasons ago. All hope is not long, he'll be proving it this season, and gets rewarded with a new contract if he's the man we want to see. Until he does that, Buffalo needs depth.
In 2024, Dorian Williams was pretty exceptional depth. Leading the NFL in tackles for a large portion of Milano's absence, Dorian has shown capable of filling the role. Edefuan Ulofoshio is up next, taking his spot in reserve. A projected special teamer and backup who had 26 tackles in his four games last season, Ulofoshio is quick and physical.
The undrafted University of Buffalo alum Joe Andreessen won fans over last season, and sticks around for 2025. He played great snaps in reserve at both middle and outside linebacker, and Buffalo hasn't found anyone to put above him yet. Lastly, Baylon Spector rounds out a solid unit that runs back the 2024 squad.
Buffalo didn't keep a practice squad linebacker to start 2024, and won't do it this year either.
Cornerback (7) - Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Jordan Hancock, Dorian Strong, Tre'Davious White, Brandon Codrington
Cuts: Dane Jackson (PS), Ja'Marcus Ingram (PS), Daequan Hardy (PS), Te'Cory Couch, Daryl Porter Jr.
Things get messy for the Bills at cornerback. It was a known need entering the offseason, with the loss of Rasul Douglas and the already-apparent urgency to improve their depth. The team locked down the top with the extension to the clear CB1, Christian Benford.
By the time the draft rolled round though, it was still the weakest spot on the roster. Signing former Bills like Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson had taken some pressure off, but more had to be done. The team followed though by selecting corners with their first, fifth, and seventh selections.
Like at defensive tackle, cornerback was an area that the team was destined to re-shape. Across from Christian Benford, there is still no yet-defined CB2. Eyes turn to Maxwell Hairston, the 30th pick in the draft, to step up to it. In taking Hairston, Buffalo snagged a remarkable athlete who ran a 4.28s 40-yard dash time at the combine. His fit into the Bills zone defense is unquestioned, and his coverage skills and ball-hawk tendencies made him the expected #2 cornerback.
At the nickel spot, the obvious incumbent and former All-Pro Taron Johnson is unchallenged. There are doubts about who backs him up, but the big question needs no answer.
Quickly, this roster becomes very new. After Hairston, the two other cornerbacks Buffalo selected find themselves. The Bills admitted error in selecting Kaiir Elam three years ago, but they scored Benford late in that same draft. They will maintain hold of the chips that allow them to gamble. Jordan Hancock, the fifth-round corner out of Ohio State, is an absolute roster lock.
Strictly an outside and deep corner, he has the build of a free safety. Highly versatile, a phenomenal understanding of zone, and the need to keep the cap on opposing offenses downfield. Dorian Strong is up next, a true ballhawk with great zone coverage skills and consistent open-field tackling. These two make for great, effective, cheap depth with high floors to keep Buffalo safe in case of injury.
The last true DB on the roster, Tre'Davious White is likely a healthy scratch most gamedays. His voice as a veteran and a good teammate is invaluable, but he isn't the elite talent he was prior to his injuries. Still, he holds value and can step in if needed.
The final corner is not a corner at all, but an excellent kick returner. Brandon Codrington, who Buffalo traded a conditional 7th-round pick for last season, is the clear frontrunner for the spot.
Familiar faces Dane Jackson, Ja'Marcus Ingram, and Daequan Hardy fill out the remainder of the practice squad. The trio offer a range of skillsets on positional versatility, with all having some degree of playing experience in the McDermott defense.
Safety (4) - Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis
Cuts: Darrick Forrest (PS), Wande Owens
Safety was a major need last season, and it remains one. Buffalo has no choice but to run in back with the same personnel, and hope that Cole Bishop develops into a plus starter. He had his moments last season, but just wasn't ready for the Bills playoff run.
Alongside him stands Taylor Rapp, with Damar Hamlin returning on a one-year contract to provide comfortable depth. Cam Lewis, who doubles as a nickel corner behind Taron Johnson, takes the fourth and final spot.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1) - Tyler Bass
After a solid finish to the season, Bass has worked his way back into the sole kicker position. Buffalo has no backup rostered, and Tyler Bass is set to kick for Buffalo for the forseeable future.
Long Snapper (1) - Reid Ferguson
In a surprise move, the Buffalo Bills handed a new contract to Reid Ferguson, extending the Bills longest-tenured player. Now that he's secured as the lone-snapper, there's no need for another.
Punter (1) - Jake Camarda
Cuts: Brad Robbins
Jake Camarda might not be the biggest name in punting, but he's no more or less an issue than any of his predecessors. For him to take the role, Brad Robbins will be cut.
Full Practice Squad - 17
QB - Mike White
RB - Frank Gore Jr.
WR - Tyrell Shavers, Laviska Shenault, Kaden Prather
TE - Zach Davidson
OL - Tylan Grable, Kendrick Green, Mike Edwards, Travis Clayton
DE - Paris Shand, Casey Rogers
DT - Zion Logue
CB - Dane Jackson, Ja'Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy
S - Darrick Forrest