The first phase of training camp is now over for the Bills. After completing their last practice at St. John Fisher University on Thursday, they returned to One Bills Drive in Orchard Park, where they will remain for the remainder of the season.
Player performances and the Bills’ handling of their depth chart over the previous several weeks, as training continued, have exposed a number of possible adjustments from the 53-man roster as it was in the spring. Additionally, injuries have shaped at least one important position on the team.
When the Bills prepare for their first preseason game, which takes place at home on Saturday at 1:00 pm versus the Chicago Bears, what does the 53-man roster appear like ahead of an exhibition game?
This is a revised, pre-preseason, post-camp roster breakdown of the Bills, including the practice squad.
Quarterback (2)
Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
This year, there is no intrigue at quarterback, even with Shane Buechele occasionally practicing with the second-team offense. It is Allen and Trubisky, with Buechele returning for another season as a practice squad member.
Waived: Shane Buechele
Running back (4)
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
Another clear-cut situation with the same forecast from before camp is running back. With rookie Davis and Johnson selected in the fourth round as the reliable depth, Cook is the clear first pick. Darrynton Evans and Frank Gore Jr. did not make a strong case for a roster place throughout training, but they will have plenty of chances to do so in the preseason games.
Released: Darrynton Evans
Waived: Frank Gore Jr.
Wide receiver (6)
Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers
One of the most fascinating things about camp so far has been the wide receiver mobility from practice to practice. However, after the dust settled from the twelve sessions, Tyrell Shavers has replaced Justin Shorter, which is the only notable change from our pre-camp estimate. Shavers, to put it frankly, has outperformed Shorter considerably. He has been outstanding in camp, provides them with versatility to play all three receiving spots, and offers more on special teams. Shavers must continue through the preseason in order to guarantee a position. But since there are already a lot of possibilities available for Shorter’s position (X receiver) on the team, they can choose Shavers, who now offers them the most promise.
Regarding the veteran players that this forecast leaves off, Chase Claypool’s injury has forced him out of the running for the time being. If he wants to rejoin the mix, he will need to have a solid preseason. Due to his competitors’ strong defensive play, KJ Hamler is not selected for the return position. If Hamler clears waivers, though, he ought to be added as a top priority to the practice squad.
Released: Chase Claypool, Andy Isabella
Waived: Justin Shorter, K.J. Hamler, Bryan Thompson, Xavier Johnson, Lawrence Keys III
Tight end (3)
Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris
The two tight ends that will be used the most are Kincaid and Knox, while Morris has occasionally played with the first team throughout the summer. Morris is the only player who might not make the squad in favor of a player like Zach Davidson, who has impressed during camp. However, Morris has been a vital component of all those units under coordinator Matthew Smiley for years, and with the amount of special teams change this offseason, I believe it is enough to earn a spot on the team for the time being. The 26-year-old Davidson ought to be able to make it through waivers and onto the practice squad.
Waived: Zach Davidson, Tre’ McKitty
Offensive line (10)
Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, La’El Collins, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Tylan Grable
Four players who have not started an NFL game might make up the Bills’ backup offensive line, which has been set since the summer. Van Pran-Granger and Grable appear to be ideal choices to remain on the 53-man roster for developmental purposes, hold onto their four-year rookie contracts, and serve as healthy scratches each week that there is not an injury. This summer, both athletes have displayed some promise.
The most well-known player among those cut was Will Clapp, but he was a vested veteran and could sign with the practice squad of the Bills right away. Richard Gouraige and Kevin Jarvis are excellent candidates for the practice squad because the Bills have occasionally employed them on the offensive line’s second unit.
Released: Will Clapp
Waived: Kevin Jarvis, Richard Gouraige, Mike Edwards, Gunner Britton, Keaton Bills, Travis Clayton (International Pathway Program exemption)
Edge Rusher (6)
Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon, Kingsley Jonathan
Aside from the well-known top four, freshman Solomon, selected in the fifth round, has excelled in his first training camp and appears to be locked into the starting lineup. After that, there are a few key considerations when choosing an edge rusher. Will the Bills retain six first? Right now, it seems like a good wager because of some impressive performances throughout the position this summer. Could the Bills retain seven edge rushers, second? It is not impossible, however it would rely on the requirements of special teams. Thirdly, out of Kingsley Jonathan and Casey Toohill, which one would get a spot if they could only hold six? Jonathan is the superior pass rusher in this instance, therefore he gets the accolades. Having already been burnt by waivers, with the Bears claiming Jonathan in
Released: Casey Toohill
Waived: Kameron Cline, Rondell Bothroyd
Defensive Tackle (4)
Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, DeWayne Carter
It might be challenging for the Bills to carry more than four defensive tackles this season with so many talented edge rushers dominating training, some of whom can drop to defensive tackle on third down. Given his one-year contract’s meager guaranteed money, DeShawn Williams, 31, would be a great candidate for release, allowing for the fastest possible addition to the practice squad in the event of an injury. If Williams contracts with another team, Eli Ankou would be the fallback option.
Released: DeShawn Williams, Eli Ankou
Waived: Branson Deen, Gable Stevenson
Linebacker (5)
Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio
Compared to the pre-camp forecast, just five linebackers are being kept, however this is not a permanent position. Nicholas Morrow, a free agency acquisition, has thus far let rivals like Deion Jones catch up to him. To make matters worse, Morrow has now missed time due to an injury. Whether he stays on the practice squad or the 53-man roster, Jones has a good chance of taking over Morrow’s experienced linebacker position. The starting linebacker Ulofoshio’s injury to his ribs is still “to be continued” till we find out how long he will be out. He might be a strong contender to be added to the 53-man roster and then placed on injured reserve the following day if his absence lasts deep into the summer. That would enable
Released: Deion Jones, Nicholas Morrow
Waived: Joe Andreessen, Shayne Simon
Ja’Marcus Ingram is one player who played his way onto the roster during training camp. (Shawn Dowd / USA Today)
Cornerback (6)
Taron Johnson, Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy, Ja’Marcus Ingram
During camp, two of the players on this list have proven themselves worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster. This includes veteran Ingram of the Bills practice squad and rookie Hardy, selected in the sixth round. Though Hardy has performed admirably in his roles as a punt and kickoff returner, his play on defense is maybe even more noteworthy. Throughout the summer, he also played two positions, receiving reps at nickel and boundary cornerback. With more than two years of experience in the defensive scheme, Ingram offers the Bills special teams reps across multiple units and possesses a comparable level of versatility. The last player retained on the projected 53-man roster was Ingram. In the event that the Bills require a position elsewhere, specifically at safety, he is among the players to be removed from a later projection.
Waived: Kyron Brown, Keni-H Lovely, Te’Cory Couch
Safety (4)
Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis
The biggest surprise in the prediction comes from this group, as veteran Mike Edwards is left off the starting lineup. Given his “week-to-week” hamstring injury, Edwards would in this instance go to injured reserve at the end of the season with an eventual settlement. Since he has not spent much time on task in the scheme and has been injured for the majority of his tenure with the Bills, Edwards’ case is harmed. Edwards’ baseline is gone, and the Bills can move on from him in light of Bishop’s encouraging early camp growth and several standout camp performances at cornerback. Remember that the Bills have faith in Cam Lewis, who they use in both nickel and safety situations. The unofficial depth chart for the team has Lewis listed at safety. Cole still needs to be seen.
Released: Kareem Jackson, Terrell Burgess, Dee Delaney
Injured Reserve with later settlement: Mike Edwards
Specialists (3)
Tyler Bass (K), Sam Martin (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
Waived/Released: None
Practice squad (17)
QB Shane Buechele, RB Frank Gore Jr., WR KJ Hamler*, WR Justin Shorter, WR Bryan Thompson, TE Zach Davidson, IOL Will Clapp*, IOL Kevin Jarvis, OT Richard Gouraige, OT Travis Clayton (International Pathway Program exemption), DE Casey Toohill*, DE Kameron Cline, DT DeShawn Williams*, LB Deion Jones*, CB Keni-H Lovely, CB Te’Cory Couch, S Kareem Jackson*
As a point of reference, waiver claims and other players who become available elsewhere almost never result in a practice squad that is exclusively made up of Bills players. These 17 players, though, are either players the Bills may want to keep on the roster or who have had some successful camp performances.
*Denotes a qualifying veteran by practice squad standards. Teams are only allowed six veterans on their practice squad.
Roster moves key
Injured Reserve: If a player is placed on injured reserve without first being added to the 53-man roster, they will miss the full season if they stay with the team.Waived: A player with three or fewer vested years of experience will be subject to waivers if let go by the team.
Injured Reserve: If a player is placed on injured reserve without first being added to the 53-man roster, they will miss the full season if they stay with the team.
(Top photo of Tyrell Shavers: Bryan Bennett / Getty Images)
