Subject’s Not Too Early 53 Man Buffalo Bills Roster
So, we’ve seen them play — well, some of them anyway — so this can’t quite be called a too early list. It’s early enough that we’ll revisit this in a little over a week just before the actual cutdown takes place, so it’s not too late. So let’s dive right in to the porridge that is what we think the Bills final roster will be with the obvious starting point and, until last Saturday, the easiest
Quarterbacks
Our Roster: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, Matt Barkley
Cuts: None
So, arguably the second best QB in the NFL is not going to get cut, so the only action here stems from Josh’s namesake-y best buddy Kyle underwhelming in both camp and pre-season game one. Meanwhile, Matt Barkley donned his usual exhibition game cape and went 14/15 behind a backup offensive line that could be generously described as nightmarish. I’m more optimistic than most that our roster could still win some games with the other Allen, but let’s hope that never happens. Kyle will be the number two. Deal with it! Barkley will not count towards 53-man roster.
Running Backs
Our Roster: James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray
Cuts: Darrynton Evans, Jordan Mims
Devin Singletary is gone and in his place is promising second-year back James Cook and his 5.7 ypc. So far Cook will get to start week one against his brother Dalvin, a newly signed New Jersey Jetropolitan. Harris serves as a short-yardage counterpoint to Cook and makes the final cut unless he’s on PUP. Meanwhile, Murray looked like an incredibly overqualified PS vet stash until Nyheim Hines’ season ended before it started. While turning 33 this year, Murray looked 23… or at least 29 in his carries last Saturday. Evans will likely take on the PS vet RB role unless UDFA Mims proves too promising in the remainder of the pre-season.
Wide Receivers
Our Roster: Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Khalil Shakir, Trent Sherfield, Deonte Harty, Justin Shorter, Andy Isabella
Cuts: Marcel Ateman, Keesean Johnson, Dezmon Patmon, Tyrell Shavers, Isaiah Coulter, Bryan Thompson
Isabella-mania has hit peak silly season, and, frankly, it’s starting to get irksome. However, the irritation has more to do with fans eager to cut Shorter, or even the promising-if-shaky Shakir or the big FA signing Harty, to find a spot. Isabella made defenders look like they were running in slow motion in his pre-season game receptions and McBeane have been looking to add more speed. But it’s doubtful they keep a 4-season flop in favor of other investments. That said, with the subtraction of Taiwan Jones, there’s room for a skill-position special teams ace. There’s a path for seven WRs. We have to add that almost all the long shot receivers made decisions harder on Saturday. Based on last season, loading up the practice squad with WRs might be prudent.
Tight Ends
Our Roster: Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, Quinton Morris
Cuts: Jace Sternberger, Joel Wilson
This is one of the easier positions to speculate. We suppose it’s possible that, given how hard paring this roster down will be, the mostly useful Morris is cut in favor of more depth at another position. He did have a memorable drop vs. the Colts. That said, it’s likely he makes it alongside this year’s first round pick and the clutch veteran with a huge contract. Sternberger was once a third round pick and is still just 27, so if he wishes to start the season on the practice squad, surely he will be invited.
Offensive Line
Our Roster: Dion Dawkins, Connor McGregor, Mitch Morse, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan/Rick Bates, David Edwards, Tommy Dolyle, Ryan Van Demark
Cuts: David Quessenberry, Greg Mancz, Nick Broeker, Richard Gouraige, Alec Anderson, Kevin Jarvis, Brandon Shell*
This position group is by far the most tough and the most contentious. It’s also the area in need of the most improvement. Between Torrence looking ready, McGovern appearing a solid signing, and the addition of the underrated Edwards and the likely move of solid starting guard Bates to backup center behind Pro Bowler Morse, the interior line could be a serious strength. It’s clearly an improvement from last year as a tackling dummy might have had higher value than the once-great Saffold last year. The tackle situation is less hopeful, but not dire (yet). Brown has so far shown no reason to doubt that the cause of his poor play last year was his back. And while two-time Pro Bowl (we know) LT Dawkins has spurts of inconsistency, at his best, he’s dominant. Behind that, it’s question marks. McDermott’s Thursday presser, however, had a tell that he may hope Doyle and the out-of-nowhere Van Demark beat out the veteran Quessenberry, who looked dreadful at times last year. Still, that’s just our speculation and this coaching group tends to favor the known, while Van Demark would likely clear waivers for a safe ST stash. Broeker is a wild card, but based on the lack of buzz nor notable pre-season moments, is probably our first (but not last) 2023 draftee cut. Also, keep an eye on Last Minute Wizard Beane to move one or two players here for 2024 draft picks.
Defensive Tackles
Our Roster: DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, Poona Ford, Tim Settle, Jordan Phillips
Cuts: Eli Ankou, DJ Dale, Cortez Broughton, Kendal Vickers
This group may be the easiest, and if all five play near their peak this could be one of the toughest DT rotations in the league. Ankou always makes himself a tough cut, and look for him to play at least a few games for some NFL team this year (could still be the Bills). Dale was perhaps the most highly touted of Bills UDFA signings and ideally he sticks around as a developmental player with upside.
Defensive Ends/Edge Rushers
Our Roster: Von Miller*, Gregory Rousseau, Leonard Floyd, AJ Epenesa, Boogie Bashem, Shaq Lawson
Cuts: Kingsley Jonathan, Kameron Cline
It hurts our hearts, but we’re starting Miller on PUP with a likely week 6, post-London return date. Rousseau seems poised to make a jump to superstardom next week and Floyd was a late off-season coup FA signing. Epenesa was solid last year with 6.5 sacks. A hallmark of inconsistency in his first two seasons, Bashem displayed his ball-out side on Saturday with disruptive, flashy plays all over the field. Lawson, while never fulfilling his first round dreams, has been a valuable back-end Bill. This is another spot to watch for our GM to pull out his wizard’s hat with Epenesa or Bashem, especially if Miller’s healing dice roll a 20, or the impressive rough diamond Jonathan proves uncuttable.
Linebackers
Our Roster: Matt Milano, Tyrel Dodson, Terrell Bernard, Dorian Williams, Tyler Matakavich, Baylon Spector
Cuts: Shane Ray, Travin Howard
Above is very likely the six linebackers they keep. How they all shake out position- and depth-wise is the real question here. Ray’s upside in his comeback attempt is intriguing. Howard has looked good and was a key player in getting the Rams to the Super Bowl. If either excel in games 3 or 4, they could challenge Spector. Or if Bernard’s nagging injury persists, a spot could open up. However, given the Bills living in the 4-2-5, they could also limit themselves to five LBs to keep an extra player at another position
Safeties
Our Roster: Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin
Cuts: Dean Marlowe, Zayne Anderson, Jared Mayden
While Marlowe is a tough cut and they may want to hold onto their on-again, off-again defensive back, those who are suggesting Hamlin is on any bubble are giving off edgelord vibes. Hamlin was one of their best tacklers last year, and beyond and bad PR, he belongs on this roster for his skill.
Cornerbacks
Our Roster: Tre’Davious White, Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson, Christian Benford, Siran Neal
Cuts: Cam Lewis, Alex Austin, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Kyron Brown
Yes, we know that as of now, Jackson is the starter, but we have faith in Elam stepping it up in the final two games to claim his spot as the starting CB2. If Jackson holds, we will also be fine. Neal’s special teams mastery keeps him on the roster, unless they decide to keep UB alum Lewis around, who also offers ST ability. Austin will make it a clean sweep of the 7th round picks.
Specialists
Our Roster: Tyler Bass, Reid Ferguson, Sam Martin
Cuts: none
There’s no question here. The Bills never even brought in competition since kicker, long snapper, and punter are locked down.
Reggie Gilliam
Our Roster: Reggie Gilliam
Cuts: There Can Only Be One
Frustrator of amateur 53-man Bills roster architects everywhere, Gilliam has been listed at both fullback and tight end and as much as (most of us) love him, his positionless nature can lead you to think you’re done until you smack your head, realizing like Dre in ’99, you forgot about Reg (it worked in our minds), and have to “cut” a guy you were excited about making the team.. Bills love Reggie. We love Reggie. He’ll run out of the tunnel in the Meadowlands on the second Monday night in September.
And that’s sUBject’s take on the 53-man roster. What do you think? We’ll see how anything changes after Saturday’s pre-season game in Pittsburgh.
