We’re back with the second version of the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster prediction. As we enter week 2 of Bills training camp, there has been some injuries, roster shuffling, and new lineups. After Friday night's scrimmage, the Bills got a look at how this new young team is shaping out. For some, it was their first experience at the Bills stadium and they got a good idea of how preseason and beyond will look like. So without further ado, let’s dive into this edition of the Bills 53-man roster.
QB: Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky (cut Shane Buechele)
Don’t need to add anything to this. Buechele hasn’t stood out over Trubisky.
RB: James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Darrynton Evans (cut Frank Gore Jr)
The Bills hope they will be able to stash Gore Jr on the practice squad and continue to develop. As for the active roster, Evans is here to play special teams as he’s been getting reps in as a returner.
FB: Reggie Gilliam
Fullback’s matter too. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
WR: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers (cut Chase Claypool, Justin Shorter, KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella, Bryan Thompson, Xavier Johnson, Lawrence Keys)
Only change here is adding a sixth wide receiver with Tyrell Shavers making the cut. Shavers has been getting praise from coaches and teammates, and has been doing everything right in practice. If he has a strong preseason he’ll make the roster.
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris (cut Zach Davidson, Tre McKitty)
No changes here, the fourth tight end is Reggie Gilliam in a pinch.
OT: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, La’el Collins, Ryan Van Demark (cut Tylan Grable, Travis Clayton, Richard Gouraige)
Collins is dealing with a knee injury, but it won’t affect him come regular season. The Bills like their tackle depth, and this will be the opening day depth barring anything unforeseen.
IOL: O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (cut Kevin Jarvis, Will Clapp, Gunner Britton, Keaton Bills)
The Bills versatility across the offensive line allows them to go deeper at other positions. Keeping three guards won’t cause issues, and I’d expect one of their cuts to land on the practice squad.
DE: Von Miller, AJ Epenesa, Greg Rousseau, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon (cut Kameron Cline, Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill, Rondell Bothroyd, David Ugwoegbu)
If this group stays healthy, we may finally see their true potential come out. This is a talented group that was riddled with injuries in 2022-2023.
DT: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, DeWayne Carter, DeShawn Williams (cut Eli Ankou, Gable Steveson, Branson Deen)
No changes here. Wouldn’t be surprised if Williams is above Carter on the opening day depth chart, however.
LB: Matt Milano, Terrell Bernard, Dorian Williams, Nicholas Morrow, Edefuan Ulofoshio (cut Baylon Spector, Deion Jones, Joe Andreessen)
The Bills like the depth they have here. Good chance one or two of the linebackers they release come back to the practice squad as injury insurance. One of those will definitely be Baylon Spector.
CB: Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Cam Lewis, Ja’Marcus Ingram (cut Daequan Hardy, Keni-H Lovely, Kyron Brown, Te’Cory Couch)
Only change here is releasing Daequan Hardy. There’s a lot to like with him, but keeping seven corners on the active roster might be too much.
Safety: Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp, Mike Edwards, Kareem Jackson (cut Dee Delaney, Damar Hamlin, Terrel Burgess, Kendall Williamson)
You could switch Kareem Jackson for Damar Hamlin. If Hamlin is cut, he won’t be gone for long. They’ll value his experience in the secondary and could be a practice squad call-up if there’s an injury. As of now, this is how the safety room will shake up. If one of Bishop/Edwards' injuries are more long-term than initially thought, Hamlin is the next guy up.
Kicker: Tyler Bass
No competition, he’s the guy.
Punter: Sam Martin
Martin seemingly won the battle after the team released Jack Browning mid-week.
LS: Reid Ferguson
The fan favorite long snapper isn’t going anywhere.