In My Feelings About The 53(+17)
The one thing you can expect on cutdown day is to expect the unexpected. Sure, it’s a cliche, but it’s valid. And the first iteration of the 2024 roster provides a few example. None of the surprise moves were earth-shattering—certainly none held the gut punch of March’s Black Wednesday where over a half-dozen veterans were given their pink slips. But there was at least one notable draft pick released, a forgotten free agent DE who made the cut, and the happy ending of one of the greatest underdog stories in recent NFL history.
Quarterbacks
Rostered: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky
Practice Squad: Mike White
Shocker. The Franchise made the team. Many fans (and press) have savaged Mitch Trubisky. While his pre-season was atrocious, he’s started 71 games and somehow has a winning record with some meh rosters. On the other hand, as Locked On Bills host Joe Marino has aptly observed, his August play reflected a QB who may have internalized his being the butt of a near-decade of jokes. If he can get out of his own head/way, he’s actually an above-average backup. That said, backups are backups for a reason and ol’ Mitch hasn’t shown much promise in years.
Mike White, just plucked off the waiver wire on Tuesday night, is about as good as you’re gonna get for a third string. He’s likely to be a weekly call-up the first two weeks as Trubisky recovers from an injury received in the first half vs. the Steelers. One plus for White about playing for Buffalo: he will not be playing against Matt Milano.
Feelings: Allen has a better support system than most think. That said, if we can send Josh on the field in some kind of Stay Puft Marshmallow Man suit, I’d be all for it.
Running Backs
Rostered: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam
Injued Reserve: Darrynton Evans
PS: Frank Gore, Jr.
The top three choices were no surprise, as much as there was a loud fan clamor to keep Frank Gore, Jr. James Cook was 4th in the league in rushing yards. Ray Davis has looked exhilarating in both camp and preseason games. Ty Johnson was an effective change of pace last year. We’ll include FB/TE/ST ace Reggie Gilliam here, because we have to count him somewhere. Gore, even beyond his name, is intriguing, but is still an undersized, not particularly fast back, and while his vision and tenacity might work out, he could use some seasoning.
The oddest choice may be in the deep details. In a new rule, each team can designate eight players for return from IR. That they used one of those spots on journeyman Darrynton Evans is stunning. There is a thought that RBs might thrive in the new kick return structure, and Evans is shifty.
Feelings: A lot to love here and a likely strength of the team if O-line blocks well. Are the Bills two-dimensional now?
Wide Receivers
Rostered: Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Marques Valdez-Scantling
PS: Tyrell Shavers, KJ Hamler, Jalen Virgil
If any position group is pushing Bills Mafia to need a few sessions with Dr. Melfi, it’s the WR room. Might I suggest we chill a bit. Yes, losing Stefon Diggs is a shock to the system; however, when the Bills went on their tear last year, Diggs (and Gabe Davis) were mostly absent. New-ish OC Joe Brady has embraced the phrase “everyone eats” and it’s an interesting mix.
Khalil Shakir came on at the end of last season and looked great in both camp and preseason games. Speedy Curtis Samuel adds a unique element that can come out of the backfield. First draft pick Keon Coleman has the potential to be a contested catch monster. Marquez Valdez-Scantling offers a deep threat (if he can hold onto the ball). And Mack Hollins doesn’t wear shoes, use utensils, nor like cats. He also had a 600-yard season with Brady and is an ace ST gunner.
Feelings: This is far from the nightmare some fans make it out to be and by the end of the season, the variety pack may be a team strength. And any slack might be picked up by the next position group…
Tight Ends
Rostered: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quinton Morris
PS: Zach Davidson
The tight end room is poised to be one of the best in the biz. If Dalton Kincaid takes the next step to elite in his second season, he could be the focus of the passing game. Dawson Knox, when healthy, has been an above-average starter. Quinton Morris is an above average blocker who can chime in with a splash play now and then. Even Zach Davidson showed potential in the pre-season.
Feelings: Summer breeze makes me feel fine…
Offensive Line
Rostered: Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrance, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran Granger, Tylan Grable
PS: (The Other) Mike Edwards, Richard Gouraige
Last year, the offensive line shocked our fanbase and much of the league by coming into its own as one of the stoutest in the league. They allowed a league-low level of sacks while the team was top five in rushing. They also remained remarkably healthy. So, of course, the Bills have decided to mess with a good thing by releasing stalwart center Mitch Morse to save salary cap.
That won’t be the wrong decision as long as Connor McGovern proves he can play center in the NFL. While he hasn’t played the position in the pros, it was his original college position. David Edwards, who takes his spot at guard, was a solid starter for the Rams Super Bowl winner, but will he gel here? The other three positions are solid: Dion Dawkins has established himself as a top left tackle, Spencer Brown turned into an asset on the right side, and O’Cyrus Torrance held his own as a rookie. The four back-ups could be fine, but also have only a smattering of NFL snaps between them.
Feelings: As long as they stay healthy, the offensive line should be a strength. If anyone gets hurt, hoo boy….
Defensive Tackles
Rostered: DaQuan Jones, Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson, DeWayne Carter
PS: Eli Ankou, Brandon Deen
Unlike many an NFL’er, Ed Oliver got his bag and exceeded his contract’s expectations. He was among the top five DTs in sacks, pressures, QB hits and was an absolute menace… and we might not even be seeing his full potential yet. DaQuan Jones may be one of the most underappreciated players at his position. Austin Johnson provides the team with a crafty veteran who has experience at both college and in the NFL rotating at the 1T with Jones. Meanwhile, DeWayne Carter is a promising third rounder who can rotate in with Oliver.
Feelings: No trouble with the two starters and the back-ups are better than last year’s versions of Jordan Phillips and Tim Settle.
Edge Rushers
Rostered: Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, DaWuane Smoot, Javon Solomon, Casey Toohill
PS: Kingsley Jonathan, Kameron Cline
This group may have the highest ceiling to go with a fairly low floor. If Gregory Rousseau stays healthy, the wily defensive end could become the double-digit sack master he was expected to be when he was selected in the 2021 first round. He’s already among the best at his position against the run. A.J. Epenesa is far from elite, but has been a steady force with 6.5 sacks each of the last two seasons. Epenesa has also become a master at blocking passes.
Von Miller stands as the true wild card. Is he the hobbled non-entity he was when he came back from injury last year to tally zero stats? If he’s recovered and back to anywhere near his former future Hall of Famer self, this could be one of the top units in football. He’s looked good in practice, but he’s also 35 with two ACL tears in his past, so any expectations should be a bit tempered. If Javon Solomon, who tied Miller for 10th most sacks in college history, btw, has a less steep learning curve than expected, that could help as well.
Feelings: While anything could happen, I’m feeling bullish about this unit. In fact, paired with the fact the Bills get sacks from their DTs and LBs, my hot take is that the Bills lead the league in QB takedowns.
Linebackers
Rostered: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Nicholas Morrow, Joe Andreessen, Baylon Spector, Edufuan Ulifoshio
PS: No one
IR: Matt Milano
Ask me about this group three weeks ago and I’d be over the moon at their prospects. Terrel Bernard blossomed into a gamewrecker at middle linebacker, calling plays, hassling the QB, guarding tight ends, picking off passes. We were all excited about the return of Matt Milano after getting hurt early last year and missing the rest of the season. Then Milano got hurt again and here we are.
As excited as I am about the future of last year’s third rounder Dorian Williams, while he’s a beast exploding into the backfield and an able tackler, he also needs to hone his instincts and get better at defending the passing game. Nicholas Morrow is an accomplished veteran, but Philly was far from sad to see him go, if TwiXter is any indication. Baylon Spector has shown flashes in the rare games he’s been healthy. Edefuan Ulifoshio will likely be utilized as a special teamer if he is even active on gameday.
Then we have the story of the Summer. Depew native and UB star Joe Andreessen who made it from mini-camp to the unlikeliest of spots on the 53-man roster. Chances are he’ll play mostly on special teams, but given his ascendance to this point, are you really willing to entirely bet against him?
Feelings: While Bernard is poised to be a Pro Bowler, the rest of this group is question marks. If Williams shows improvement, the whole defense could be elite, but that’s a stretch… and paired with the uncertainty of the next position group we’ll talk about… well, we’ll get to that.
Safeties
Rostered: Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin, Mike Edwards, Cole Bishop, Cam Lewis
PS: Lewis Cine
Damar Hamlin deserves better than the abuse a corner of the Bills fandom dishes out to him. The idea that he would not have made the roster outside of sympathy for his injury (or a feelgood recovery story) is utter nonsense. Before he got hurt, he had filled in as starting safety and while he was far from perfect, he was a hard hitter who showed a ton of promise. Moreover, the team overall had the second stingiest defense in the NFL in 2022, so he could not have been THAT much of a liability. My only real reason for not loving him starting is it’s going to be beyond annoying to hear the roar anytime he’s within 10 yards of a completed catch.
Taylor Rapp has his own question marks, but is also a piledriver of a tackler who has put up successful starting easons in the past. In a perfect world, would I prefer ex-KC ballhawk Mike Edwards and rookie Cole Bishop as the starters? Yes, but we need to remember that departed Jordan Poyer and likely done Micah Hyde were not worldbeaters when they came to Buffalo in 2017. There’s also (usually) reliable UB grad Cam Lewis who can fill in both here and at slot CB.
Feelings: Will Hamlin and Rapp be anywhere near Poyer and Hyde? Unlikely. Do I worry that the defense could be picked apart by tight ends all season? Most definitely. Then again, if Sean McDermott has proven adept at getting the most out of any position, it’s safety.
Cornerbacks
Rostered: Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Brandon Codrington
PS: Te’Cory Couch, Daequan Hardy
The starting trio of CBs has the potential to be the best in the NFL. Mid-season acquisition Rasul Douglas is one behind Stefon Diggs’ somehow even more annoying brother for most INTs since 2021 with 14. Christian Benford can likely not be ignored much longer as he has been near-shutdown since beating out Kaiir Elam—drafted 162 picks earlier in 2022. No one ignores second team All-Pro slot corner Taron Johnson.
Oh, and about Elam: it’s not like he’s been terrible. He’s picked off four key passes in his first two years. However, he has been a penalty machine, reported inactive a worrisome number of times his first season, and was often burned embarrassingly by meh wideouts. That said, he had an outstanding camp and perhaps he’s poised to turn it around and fill in if injuries happen, and even take over in 2025 if Douglas is not re-signed. Ja’Marcus Ingram is the third of a trio of former UB defenders to make the Bills. We’ll get to last-minute addition Brandon Codrington in our next segment.
Feelings: Blessed and highly favored!
Special Teams
Rostered: Tyler Bass, Sam Martin, Reid Ferguson
PS: None
I’d say “where to start here?” except, unfortunately, it’s obviously with place kicker Tyler Bass. After he finished last season on a short miss that would have tied the playoff game against KC, he has done nothing to mollify the press or the fanbase, missing short kicks all through camp. He wasn’t terrible in actual exhibition games—his only miss was from 51 yards. He also hasn’t proved he’s over whatever yips have brought him down from one of the best kickers in the game to the team’s greatest Achilles heel.
Punter Sam Martin is perfectly fine, and despite some shanks, balanced that with some boomers. That the average fan doesn’t know Reid Ferguson’s name, which is kinda what you want from your long snapper. Other than that, Codrington came out of nowhere after making the Jets via minicamp this year. His pre-season dominance caught the eye of Brandon Beane who felt it enough to risk cutting sixth round draft pick Daequan Hardy. If he falters, Hardy is on the practice squad and with improved decision making skills, could fill in.
They lost some core special teamers in Tyler Matakavich and Siran Neal, but Hollins is one of the better gunners in the league. Lewis, Spector Ingram and other returning players have done a great job there in the past. In any case, who knows what the new kick rules will bring in actual games.
Feelings: A hearty heaping of yikes, but most of that is Bass. We’ll see.
Overall
While it’s clear why some of the national press has misgivings about their season, is it time for Bills fans to panic? As long as they have number 17, there truly isn’t. For all the players who they cut or traded this off-season, there are corresponding up-and-comers. If just a few questions tilt in the Bills favor, this team could even be improved.
Final Feelings: Perhaps it’s just Kyle Brandt, Chris Berman, and me who feel this way, but with a little luck, this purported reset season could be another run at the Super Bowl.
Record Prediction: 12-5, win AFC East again.
