The Buffalo Bills have one more game left before they have to decide on over 30 players’ fates. This was a better overall game from the team compared to last week, and we saw more players stick out and outperform what many of us expected. Position battles continue to heat up across the roster, and the front office is going to have a difficult time figuring them out. Let’s get into this week's version of the Bills’ 53-man roster.
QB: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky (cut Ben Dinucci)
After showing another bad performance, Bills fans would like to see the team upgrade at the backup quarterback position. Unless the injury is more severe than we think, the Bills will stick with Trubisky.
RB: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson (cut Frank Gore Jr, Darrynton Evans)
The Bills saw some big improvement from the ground game this week. Cook, Davis, Evans, and Gore Jr all had some nice momentum going throughout the game. However, Buffalo likely still only keeps three running backs.
FB: Reggie Gilliam
The special teams ability of Morris may be what keeps the Bills from keeping four tight ends. Gilliam, who doubles as a tight end if needed, has been great in special teams coverage since entering the league in 2020.
WR: Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Tyrell Shavers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (cut Justin Shorter, Lawrence Keys, KJ Hamler, Deon Cain, Damiere Byrd, Andy Isabella, Xavier Johnson)
While they haven’t had the production they’d hoped for from MVS, there’s nobody else in house that can do a better job. If they want to keep six receivers, these are the six.
TE: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris (cut Zach Davidson, Tre McKitty)
Davidson continues to make a strong case for the TE3 job over Morris. Next week’s game against the Carolina Panthers will likely decide that battle.
OT: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, La’el Collins, Ryan Van Demark (cut Tylan Grable, Richard Gouraige, Travis Clayton)
No changes here, this will be the offensive tackle group they run out onto the field in September.
OG: David Edwards, O’Cyrus Torrence, Alec Anderson (cut Kevin Jarvis, Keaton Bills, Gunner Britton, Mike Edwards)
So far, nobody has made it tough on Anderson to make the roster, and his versatility across the line will help him secure the job.
OC: Connor McGovern, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (cut Will Clapp)
The rookie Pran-Granger didn’t get many snaps at center on Saturday, but his talent is too much to risk losing to another team.
DE: Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon (cut Kameren Cline, Rondell Bothroyd, Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill)
Buffalo got production from their entire edge rush unit. From Greg Rousseau down to Kingsley Jonathan, nobody had a bad game. In a fierce battle that includes Solomon, Jonathan, and CLine, games like this are needed to show the front office why they should stick around. After spending a fifth round-pick on Solomon, he continues to force the Bills’ hand to keep him.
DT: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Austin Johnson, Deshawn Williams (cut Gable Steveson, Eli Ankou, Branson Deen)
The Bills have always kept a stacked defensive line, and that doesn’t change this year. They roll 10 defensive linemen into the regular season, and each one of them brings a different skillset to the game.
LB: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Joe Andreessen, Nicholas Morrow (cut Deion Jones, Shayne Simon)
The linebacker position continues to change every week. With Matt Milano suffering another injury, that opens up a roster spot for another linebacker, possibly fan favorite Joe Andreessen. While it’s unclear how long Spector will miss, he should be ready for Week 1.
CB: Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy (cut Te’Cory Couch, Kyron Brown, Keni-H Lovely)
Both Hardy and Ingram had great games, whether that was on special teams or on defense. Hardy showed he’s the man for the return job, and Ingram showed his physicality as a gunner and lining up at DB.
Safety: Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, Cam Lewis, Kareem Jackson (cut Kendall Williamson, Terrell Burgess, Dee Delaney) (placed Mike Edwards on Injured Reserve and Cole Bishop on PUP)
With each week passing by and Cole Bishop not getting any practice or game reps, the chances of him starting the season on the PUP list grows. That leaves the veteran Kareem Jackson, one of the newest safety additions, as the backup with Cam Lewis.
Kicker: Tyler Bass
Bass continues to show that his practice woes are just that. Practice woes. He’s been perfect in-game, and the Bills are hoping that continues in the fall.
Punter: Sam Martin
Martin looked much better this week as he averaged over 52 yards per punt.