Once the conclusion of the NFL preseason took place, the next big step toward the start of the regular season was each team in the NFL getting their roster down to the 53 players who would be on the roster going into week one.
The Buffalo Bills made their roster cuts and trades and now turn their focus on the New York Jets, who they will face in two weeks. Over the course of the summer, there are players that are locks to make the roster, but the coaching staff and upper management have to decide what to do with the other players who were on the roster bubble.
The Bills had to make some cuts to players who impressed during training camp and preseason…but at the end of the day it is a business. As the Bills have made their cuts, they should also monitor the free agency pool in which they are ranked #28 on the waiver order across the league.
Here are five takeaways from the Buffalo Bills final 53-man roster.
1.) Jordan Phillips makes the final roster
This may have been a surprise as the Bills decided to keep defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on the roster. Last season, Phillips was battling injuries and did not make a big impact on the defensive line. He will join a room that is led by Ed Oliver and followed by DaQuan Jones, Tim Settle and Poona Ford. The Bills decided to go with five defensive tackles upfront rather than four, making their rotation still possible but with greater depth.
With Phillips making the roster, it will now all depend on health and whether or not he can stay on the field. Players like DJ Dale and Eli Ankou were competing for a roster spot but in the end were not able to convince the coaching staff to bring them onto the roster. Phillips gets atleast one more year with the Bills, but it more than likely is his last one.