Hello, everyone. It’s been a minute!
I am back in full force following a lovely trip with our child. More importantly though, we are returning to St. John Fisher University for another exciting Buffalo Bills training camp.
The team we have this year is not the same run-it-back group that we have seen every year. Although some of the team’s biggest names are still on the roster, this is the most improved lineup the Bills have had since Josh Allen emerged as the team’s unquestionably talented franchise quarterback.
Numerous inquiries concerning the composition of the roster also accompany it.
So what better way to reenter the deep end than with a 53-man roster estimate from pre-camp?
Here’s how things are leaning heading into camp.
Quarterback (2)
Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
It was just a matter of time when the Steelers let Josh Allen depart in the offseason with one of their better backup quarterbacks over the years, general manager Brandon Beane. Shane Buechele is liked by the Bills, and they probably want to see him back on the practice squad this season.
Cut: Buechele
Running Back (4)
James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
James Cook leads the backfield, and in the two positions behind him, they now have some youth and enthusiasm with different skill sets. In the event that Cook misses time, Ty Johnson provides a lot of what Cook does, and Davis gives the offense the physical component that head coach Sean McDermott has long desired while also having a strong pass-catching ability. The running back room appears well decided, at least for the time being.
Cut: Frank Gore Jr., Darrynton Evans
Wide Receiver (6)
Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mack Hollins, Justin Shorter
Because there were so many new elements, the receiver group was the first place where the roster was assembled. Shakir, Coleman, Samuel, and Valdes-Scantling (who has a deal with empty years that is entirely guaranteed) are all probably locks. Although we have seen the Bills absorb a financial penalty in the past (see: O.J. Howard) if the player is outplayed for their final roster, Hollins and his $1.1 million guaranteed are also a solid wager. The call involving Shorter and Chase Claypool—who would both play the same position in the Bills offense—was the most difficult. Because Shorter is more of a special teams player than Claypool and has a rookie contract that is signed for three more years, I awarded him the advantage. But watch out for this group. Items
Cut: Claypool, Tyrell Shavers, Andy Isabella, Bryan Thompson, KJ Hamler, Lawrence Keys, Xavier Johnson
Tight End (3)
Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris
After another training camp and an additional year, the tight end group will probably have a distinct group that will comprise the regular season depth chart. The two best players are Kincaid and Knox, with Morris providing reliable depth and a valuable special teams player. Tre’ McKitty and Zach Davidson have shown growth that the team has enjoyed, thus they may consider adding them to the practice squad.
Cut: McKitty, Davidson
Offensive Line (10)
Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, La’El Collins, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable
It was difficult to decide how many players from the top nine would end up on the roster for the offensive line vs another position. Will Clapp might push for a spot on the final roster in place of Collins or Grable, depending on how well he plays. However, the money guarantee suggests Collins will be given more leeway than Clapp. Grable is a very athletic offensive tackle prospect selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. If Grable demonstrates any promise in training camp or in preseason games, Beane will not play around and put him on waivers. Thus, Gable is the selection at No. 10 for the time being, dethroning another player. Should Collins or Clapp be outside of their final
Cut: Clapp, Kevin Jarvis, Richard Gouraige, Mike Edwards, Gunner Britton, Keaton Bills, Travis Clayton
Edge Rusher (6)
Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot, Kingsley Jonathan, Javon Solomon
Miller, Epenesa, and Rousseau are all locked. With four vacant years attached to lower his 2024 cap charge and $1.75 million guaranteed, Smoot’s contract makes him a good shot to make the squad as well. Javon Solomon and Kingsley Jonathan are two players the Bills could cut to make room for another player, but they truly trust in the depth of their defensive line, particularly in young, possibly rising talent. Solomon was drafted in the fifth round in 2024, therefore he is likely a permanent member of the squad. They may think differently of Jonathan, but they really enjoyed his performance last summer. It will be much easier for him to get a position if he can demonstrate his value on special teams. The remaining cut list items probably
Cut: Casey Toohill, Kameron Cline, David Ugwoegbu, Rondell Bothroyd
Defensive Tackle (4)
Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Austin Johnson
Although Rousseau can shift inside to defensive tackle on pass-rushing downs, the Bills only have four defensive tackles on their projection. their offers them an additional versatile player. Barring an injury, the top four players—Oliver, Jones, Carter, and Johnson—appear to be the lineup for the 2024 campaign. Although DeShawn Williams is a great contender for the practice squad due to his age (31) and limited guaranteed money ($15,000), he would be the player on the cut list most likely to compete for a position on the roster.
Cut: Williams, Eli Ankou, Branson Deen, Gable Stevenson
Linebacker (6)
Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Nicholas Morrow
The linebacker position, and probably Morrow, would be the one the Bills would want to watch if they needed a space at another position. Although the Bills would save $750,000 on the cap to move on, he has $750,000 in guaranteed money. Everything hinges on how well their special teams teams are performing and how secure they are in the backup roles of their three young, drafted linebackers, Williams, Spector, and Ulofoshio. Deion Jones is a well-known figure with some experience, but there is no money up front in his contract. To get a spot, he must perform better than players at other positions as well as Morrow.
Cut: Jones, Joe Andreessen
Cornerback (5)
Taron Johnson, Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram
Even though they only have five cornerbacks, safety Cam Lewis is a quality backup nickel corner. Do not overlook him. It came down to 2024 sixth-round selection Daequan Hardy against Ja’Marcus Ingram, a former undrafted free agent who has been a practice squad member in the Bills’ defensive system for the last two years. They would have three boundary cornerbacks on their depth chart without Ingram, so I chose him. Ingram’s case is strengthened by his two years of practice at Nickel and on the boundary. Because of Lewis’s lockdown status on the roster, Hardy may only be used as a nickel cornerback due to his size. However, Hardy is one of those players who could make an impact if he has a strong preseason.
Cut: Hardy, Kyron Brown, Te’Cory Couch, Keni-H Lovely
Safety (4)
Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards, Cam Lewis
Rapp will be the locked-in starter in the redesigned safety room, with Bishop, Edwards, and Lewis competing to be the other starting at the start of the season. Whether they will have room to retain Damar Hamlin is the key question. Last year, Hamlin’s gameday duty was primarily that of a healthy scratch. The Bills might let him go at final cuts in the last year of his rookie contract. Additionally, Hamlin could be a trade candidate.
Cut: Hamlin, Kendall Williamson, Dee Delaney
Specialists (3)
Tyler Bass (K), Sam Martin (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
Due to popular demand, #Puntapalooza2024 is returning in 2024 after the Bills did not have a punter competition in 2023. It pits Martin, a seasoned veteran, against undrafted rookie Jack Browning, who is wearing jersey number thirty. Martin is probably going to be the punter in 2024 based on his dead money of $2.35 million. If Browning performs better than Martin, though, they may try to trade the veteran. You know me—I will always have my stopwatch ready.
(Top photo of Damar Hamlin: Quinn Harris / Getty Images)
