The Buffalo Bills finishes their NFL preseason with a 31-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers, and questions remain all over the roster. Depth pieces showed up in big ways, attempting to make a last-minute push for a roster spot. With that in mind, we do our final 53-man roster prediction.
Buffalo Bills offense 53-man prediction
Quarterbacks (2)
Projected Starter: Josh Allen
Backups: Mitch Trubisky
Out: Ben DiNucci
Analysis: Josh Allen is Josh Allen. Mitch Trubisky has looked spotty at times, but Ben DiNucci did nothing in the third preseason game to remotely push Trubisky for backup duties. He's the one that ends up getting left out.
Running Backs (5)
Projected Starters: James Cook and Reggie Gilliam (FB)
Backups: Ray Davis , Ty Johnson, Frank Gore Jr
Out: Darrynton Evans
Analysis: James Cook is the obvious starter at halfback, and it appears rookie Ray Davis is locked in as his primary backup. I'm getting a little wild here, but hear me out – with the new kickoff rules, I believe that Ty Johnson could get some looks at it. Running backs, with their ability to shed tackles, might be a strength in this area of the game. Frank Gore Jr is going to be harder to protect on the practice squad than Darrynton Evans, and all Gore has done is impress all the way through the preseason. I think the versatility in this room is important to the team, and I'm going unconventional with the roster construction and saying they roster five.
Note: Gore was hurt with three and a half minutes left in the final preseason game, and limped off the field under his own power. The status of his injury will potentially impact their running back roster decisions.
Wide Receivers (6)
Projected Starters: Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel
Backups: Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers
Out: K.J. Hamler, Justin Shorter, Andy Isabella
Analysis: The first four seem locked in. Keon Coleman , Khalil Shakir , and Curtis Samuel will be your starters, with Mack Hollins operating as the fourth option. After that, it's a mess. I've been saying all preseason that Marquez Valdes-Scantling seems like he's on thin ice with his injuries and his drops. Tyrell Shavers flashing in the third preseason game, including a beautiful route on a slant and go that should have been a touchdown that DiNucci missed him on, solidified his spot for me unless the Bills want K.J. Hamler involved for special teams purposes.
Tight Ends (2)
Projected Starters: Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox
Out: Quintin Morris, Zach Davidson, Tre' McKitty
Analysis: We know Kincaid and Knox are the locked in starters, and this is where I balance the unconventional running back decision from earlier. Gilliam can fill in as the third tight end if needed, or Buffalo could call up Morris or Davidson from the practice squad if an injury arrises. The third tight end doesn't contribute as much to this team as I believe the depth running backs could in the special teams game.
Offensive Linemen (9)
Projected Starters: Dion Dawkins (LT), David Edwards (LG), Connor McGovern (C), O'Cyrus Torrence (RG), Spencer Brown (RT)
Backups: Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van-Pran Granger, Tylan Grable
Out: Mike Edwards, Keaton Bills, Will Clapp, Gunner Britton, Richard Gouraige, Travis Clayton, La'el Collins
Analysis: Depth is a concern for the offensive line group, but even still, it makes it hard to pencil in La'el Collins . His mobility doesn't look up to where it needs to be anymore for a tackle position, and the position flexibility and upside of younger guys on the depth chart will give them the edge. There's a chance Buffalo could keep 10 linemen, and if they do, Collins should be the 10th.
Buffalo Bills defense 53-man roster prediction
Defensive Linemen (9)
Edge: Greg Rousseau , A.J. Epenesa, Von Miler, Duwuane Smoot, Javon Solomon,
IDL: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Austin Johnson
Out: Casey Toohill, Kameron Cline, Kingsley Jonathan, Rondell Bothroyd, Eli Anjou, DeShawn Williams, Branson Deen
Analysis: The Bills are going to enter the season with veterans up front, and rookies factoring heavily into the rotation. Both DeWayne Carter and Javon Solomon have had strong preseasons, and have plenty of developmental hype in front of them.
Linebackers (5)
Projected Starters: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams
Backups: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Joe Andreessen, Nicholas Morrow
Out: Matt Milano (projected cut-down day IR), Deion Jones, Shayne Simon
Analysis: I expect Matt Milano to get placed on IR on cut down day to make him eligible to return later in the season, and I'm predicting that Joe Andreessen, "Buffalo Joe," is playing his way onto this roster. His instincts, physicality, and mental approach to the game have him looking like he belongs on this NFL roster. There was a pretty major miscommunication in the red zone between Andreessen and Deion Jones that I believe was Andreessen's fault, resulting in a touchdown, but he has been sound and in the right position continuously.
Cornerbacks (6)
Projected Starters: Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Taron Johnson
Backups: Kaiir Elam, Ja'Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy
Out: Kyron Brown, Keni-H Lovely
Analysis: The Bills starting cornerback group is incredibly strong, and the depth behind them has a ton of upside. With Daequan Hardy seemingly locking up punt return duties, I believe he makes this roster as the sixth cornerback. Ja'Marcus Ingram, another University of Buffalo guy, continues to flash in coverage. He deserves to be on this team.
Safeties (5)
Projected Starters: Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin
Backups: Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Cam Lewis
Out: Kendall Williamson, Kareem Jackson, Terrell Burgess, Dee Delaney
Analysis: The safety position is a mess of injuries right now outside of Taylor Rapp, who's locked in as one of the starters. Mike Edwards and Damar Hamlin are working back from injuries, as is rookie Cole Bishop. Who is on the field for Week 1 has as much to do with availability as it does talent.
Buffalo Bills special teams 53-man roster prediction
Specialists (3)
Projected Starters: Tyler Bass (K), Sam Martin (P), and Reid Ferguson (LS)
Projected Returners: Daequan Hardy
Breaking down how the top 3 roster bubble candidates can make the Bills’ 53-man roster
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Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .
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