The Bills will need to make some significant decisions regarding final cuts as the summer comes to an end.
Final cuts are due in even though it feels like training camp just started for everyone in the league. As the summer draws to a close, the Bills will have to make some important decisions on final cuts. two weeks. By Tuesday, August 27 at 4 p.m. ET, NFL teams must have 53 players or fewer on their active roster.
There are still plenty of possibilities for players to convince themselves that they should be on the squad, with two preseason games left and a combined practice with the Steelers. Before those three important games, where does the roster stand?
This is a thorough examination of the Bills roster, the bubble, and the players who stand to gain or lose the most in the next twelve days.
Firmly on the roster (40)
QB Josh Allen, QB Mitchell Trubisky, RB James Cook, RB Ty Johnson, RB Ray Davis, FB Reggie Gilliam, WR Khalil Shakir, WR Keon Coleman, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Mack Hollins, LT Dion Dawkins, LG David Edwards, C Connor McGovern, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, RT Spencer Brown, OT Ryan Van Demark, IOL Alec Anderson, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DE Greg Rousseau, DE A.J. Epenesa, DE Von Miller, DE Dawuane Smoot, DE Javon Solomon, DT Ed Oliver, DT DaQuan Jones, DT Austin Johnson, DT DeWayne Carter, LB Matt Milano, LB Terrel Bernard, LB Baylon Spector, LB Dorian Williams, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Christian Benford, CB Kaiir Elam, NCB Taron Johnson, DB Cam Lewis, S Taylor Rapp, S Damar Hamlin, S Cole Bishop, LS Reid Ferguson
Looking like a good bet to make it (4)
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, TE Quintin Morris, OT Tylan Grable, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
After a sluggish start, Valdes-Scantling has become a top-five wide receiver. Morris is still the third tight end on the squad and a key member of the special teams unit this summer. A sixth-round pick in 2024, Grable has demonstrated enough athleticism and useful qualities to merit more growth. Ulofoshio was selected by the Bills in the fifth round of this year, and it seems doubtful that they would waive him in his first season as he is expected to become a long-term special teams player.
Most likely safe, but worth mentioning (2)
K Tyler Bass
Some of the inquiries about Bass’s inconsistent play from 2023 have persisted into training camp. It is starting to get to the Bills like a bad situation. In addition to a $4.42 million cap charge and an additional $3 million in prorated bonus money that would hit the Bills’ cap if released, his contract is fully guaranteed through 2024. They will probably support him through everything, but if the problems persist, a practice squad kicker may be necessary.
P Sam Martin
Should dead cap ($2.35 million) not be a component of the problem, Martin may be in more danger. Four of his next five punts were not up to par, following a fantastic 62-yarder against the Bears. A net gain of 35 yards or less was recorded by three of them. In 2024, he will probably be the punter, but he is given some competition room.
Bubble watch (22 for 7 spots)
Wide receiver
Tyrell Shavers (No. 80)
Shavers is definitely on the bubble, but the Bills have a history of making their final roster choices based on players with profiles similar to his. Shavers is adaptable enough to cover all three receiver spots, but more significantly, he might establish himself as a key member of the special teams unit. Shavers was one of the two gunners on punt coverage for the team’s opening punt against the Bears, so maybe we got a hint. Later on, he contributed on punt and kick return plays as well. In addition, Shavers would have four years of roster control as an exclusive rights free agent following the 2025 campaign, giving the Bills the opportunity to potentially develop him into a key special teams player in the future.
KJ Hamler (No. 19)
Being the team’s main punt and kickoff returner is Hamler’s best shot to make the squad, but ball security on those reps has been a problem this summer. The Bills added another return specialist option as a result of it. This summer, Hamler has spent some time, but not a lot, with Allen and the first unit. Hamler has a one-year contract with no financial guarantees.
Justin Shorter (No. 18)
With a lot of room to make up, the 2023 fifth-round pick is now on the wrong side of the bubble. They were hoping he could replicate Shavers’ success on special teams, but Shorter’s two main weaknesses are his offensive versatility being less than Shavers’ and his history of injuries. In 2023, Shorter had a strong preseason; to make the squad, he will probably need to repeat that performance.
Andy Isabella (No. 87)
Despite having a much better training camp and preseason performance the previous year, Isabella was still left off of the 53-man roster. Isabella’s greatest opportunity is to be the main returner, but right now that does not seem possible.
Damiere Byrd (No. 89)
Byrd was signed by the Bills on August 13th mainly to compete for the return position; if he performs well enough, he may have a chance. But to keep him would probably mean cutting a young player they are anxious to see develop further, so it would have to be a really good game.
Zach Davidson could convince the Bills to keep four tight ends if he keeps playing well. (Shawn Dowd / USA Today)
Tight end
Zach Davidson (No. 84)
Although Davidson is well-liked in the locker room and has produced some impressive plays throughout camp, the Bills rarely carry that many tight ends in their depth chart, and he is, at most, ranked fourth. But the Bills may be forced to make a move if he continues to produce in the preseason.
Offensive line
La’El Collins (No. 71)
This could come as a surprise considering his well-known brand, extensive experience, and guaranteed money of $1.5 million. However, Collins has not shown to be the adaptable backup player they were probably looking for. Notable are his limitations with quickness when playing offensive tackle; his interior mobility skills at guard have also hindered him. Collins is not taken into consideration while talking about the backup center. They very well may bench Collins in favor of younger, more adaptable players. His case is strengthened by the fact that none of the other safe picks for the team have any experience.
Will Clapp (No. 77)
Clapp, who has starting experience and guaranteed money of $287,500, is in a similar situation as Collins. Though it was Clapp’s last season as an almost weekly starter, he had a very difficult year. However, he has demonstrated that he can play guard or center, which strengthens his argument.
Richard Gouraige (No. 75)
Gouraige has spent most of his summer playing offensive tackle and has seen action with the second team; however, he might potentially make the 53-man roster if he can demonstrate some guard repetitions and perform well there. Collins’ versatile tackle/guard position would take Collins’ place in the Bills’ starting lineup. However, Gouraige would require a few things to go his way. Gouraige would have to convince the Bills that he is a better choice than Collins. To cut Clapp, they would need to be confident in Anderson and Van Pran-Granger as their backup center choices. The remaining 52 players on the roster would then have to fill every special teams position. Still, it is conceivable. This year, Gouraige is a cunning contender.
Kevin Jarvis (No. 63)
Jarvis will likely need another year to contend for a 53-man roster position, but the Bills have committed to giving him a full year of practice squad development. Should injuries arise, the offensive lineman in the middle could be called up throughout the season.
Defensive end
Kingsley Jonathan (No. 59)
Since Jonathan’s main contribution to the team was a pass rusher, the youngster Javon Solomon’s summertime play has put Jonathan’s status on the roster in jeopardy. It appears likely that six defensive ends will stick at this point. However, that sixth defensive end must be a reliable member of the special teams unit. Although Jonathan has contributed to the units during his tenure in Buffalo, there is still room for someone else to take that position.
Casey Toohill (No. 99)
Toohill has a good chance of taking home the sixth spot if it comes down to special teams. Throughout the early phases of training camp, he has often collaborated with those units. However, a groin injury has complicated matters by keeping him out of practice for at least a week and the first preseason game, opening the door for others.
Kameron Cline (No. 96)
Cline is a name to keep in mind if you are trying to find someone who might be the 53-man roster’s surprise player. He played alongside all of the regular special teams players on the starting unit punt and kick return units during the preseason game. In camp, he has shown some success as a pass rusher. Additionally, Cline has a clear advantage over Toohill and Jonathan. Since Cline will be an exclusive rights free agency after 2025, the Bills will have four years of roster control over him; Jonathan and Toohill will only have two and one year, respectively.
Defensive tackle
DeShawn Williams (No. 93)
In the event that one of the top four defensive tackles suffers a serious injury, Williams would be the first player to enter the game. Nevertheless, at thirty-one years old and without any special teams experience on his resume this year, he appears to be a prime practice squad pickup following final cuts.
Linebacker
Nicholas Morrow (No. 52)
Morrow, a linebacker, signed a one-year contract with the Bills that included a $750,000 guarantee. However, he is on the bubble because of three reasons. Initially, Spector has performed admirably as Bernard’s backup middle linebacker this summer. Secondly, Morrow has not played since August 4 due to an injury. Third, even prior to the injury, veteran Deion Jones was pushing Morrow for his roster place. To guarantee a position, Morrow needs to go back on the field and demonstrate his worth on special teams.
Deion Jones (No. 45)
With no money guaranteed, 29-year-old Jones is the epitome of a prove-it bargain. But he is done a good job with the opportunity to at least participate in the conversation while in camp. To stay on the 53-man roster, he would have to add the special teams component, but he has a chance.
Cornerback
Daequan Hardy (No. 25)
Hardy, a sixth-round selection in 2024, is probably favored to be the team’s best returner. However, he demonstrated that he can play nickel and boundary cornerback well, which helped him make the roster. It appears that Hardy will make it if he closes the preseason by inspiring the squad with his ball security as a returner.
Ja’Marcus Ingram (No. 46)
It is possible that Ingram will replace Lewis. After spending two seasons on the practice squad, Ingram has proven he has what it takes to earn one of the final three slots on the roster. He can play nickel and boundary because of his versatility. He offers capability for multi-unit special teams. And because of those years of development, they know they can put their trust in him for the plan. It is still not a guarantee for Ingram, though.
Kyron Brown (No. 32)
This year at camp, Brown has had several pleasant experiences. Although Brown can play, he would likely need someone else to get hurt in order to have a genuine chance at making the squad. In the second half of preseason games, do not be shocked to see him break up passes.
Safety
Mike Edwards (No. 21)
The details surrounding Edwards’ time with the Bills have not been made public. Due to a shoulder issue, Edwards missed a few spring practices. He then sustained a hamstring injury early in camp and has not practiced since July 28. His chances of starting are declining, and he may not even make the 53-man roster with all this time off the field—especially if the Bills sign another safety. Edwards is guaranteed $1.6 million. Even yet, cutting him would save them $1.2 million on the cap.
Kendall Williamson (No. 36)
Though he committed a few coverage and penalty errors during the game, it was noteworthy to see Williamson earn the first reps as a second-team safety against the Bears. As they did the previous season, it would not be shocking if the Bills used Lewis at safety in the forthcoming preseason games.
Kareem Jackson (No. 27)
Anything can happen with the safety position right now, including the team deciding to keep 36-year-old Jackson on the field after he saw brief action as a reserve against the Bears. Compared to strong safety, which is currently the more pressing necessity, he is more of a free safety.
(Top photo of KJ Hamler: Gregory Fisher / USA Today)
