Teams around the NFL are in the full swing of things now with camps going, the season happening, some organizations starting to plan for fans and the season kick off in 17 days…it’s time to start thinking about the Bills’ final 53 man roster.
The Buffalo Bills’ roster currently sits at the 80 player max, plus Buffalo’s darling Christian Wade, who doesn’t count towards the roster as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program (so, yeah 81).
The final phase of training camp kicked off last Monday as players were finally able to put on the pads and have now started full contact practices. Things seem to be somewhat normal minus us fans not being able to drive out to St. John Fisher and see what the Bills have to offer.
Additionally, the loss of a preseason also might hold back the development and acclimation of new and younger guys while keeping the progress of the team in the dark (outside of Sal’s updates of course). Instead, they’ve held training camp at their facilities in Orchard Park with it being closed to the public for obvious reasons.
On top of the obstacles they were already facing, yesterday Josh Allen and five other Bills’ players received false-positive Covid test results. Things were straightened out pretty quickly, but figure it out guys. If things like this happen again, it could really start to screw the start of the season.
The Bills have to cut down to their final 53 man roster for the upcoming season before September 5 by 4 PM. That’s just two weeks to go for Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott to select the best roster to ensure we build off of last season’s success.
Going to start off with just projecting the offense (defense/ST coming in the next couple days *eye emoji*). Since Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane came into Buffalo 3 years ago, they have kept 26 offensive players to start the season and I expect the same this season, they value that extra defender.
Some notes so far from the offensive side of the ball during camp:
Gabe Davis has been IMPRESSIVE. Bills’ media has been raving about the rookie receiver’s performance so far. His adjustment to NFL speed, quick understanding of the playbook and excellent on-field speed to combo his big physical demeanor. In fact, most of the receivers have looked good. Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen already have a rapport down, John Brown is doing John Brown things and rookie WR Isaiah Hodgins has shown flashes.Rookie running back Zack Moss has shown he’s more than just the bruiser he was labeled to be. While he excels playing tackle-to-tackle he’s shown his athleticism and vision, even showing off his receiving skills…oh, and he can squat 600 pounds “just a few times”..FREAK.There is still some shuffling going on with the offensive line. Specifically, the right side. I think the biggest issue right now is determining if Cody Ford will start the season as a guard or tackle. He’ll either be battling with Ty Nsekhe for the RT or Brian Winters for the RG spot. Coach Sean McDermott said a decision on the line will be coming in the next few days.
Here we go!
Quarterbacks
: Josh Allen, Matt Barkley & Jake Fromm (3)
Allen & Barkley are no-brainers. Barkley has a great relationship with this team and has proven a viable backup to Allen.
Although there are off the field issues with Fromm, the talent is absolutely there. He may need time to develop, but this was a guy who probably would have gone first round had he declared a year earlier. You can’t afford to lose a young, cheap talent at the most important position in Football by sending him to the practice squad. I like Davis Webb and what he brings to the QB room, but not enough to supplement the prospects of Fromm.
Running Backs
: Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, Patrick DiMarco (FB) & Taiwan Jones (4)
Singletary and Moss are locks here. Our lightning and thunder combo. Expect big things this year from these two. DiMarco is also pretty much a lock as McD loves his FB and he’s proven himself to be an asset on offense as a blocker an occasional dump down receiver.I think Taiwan Jones makes the team as a ST guy. One of the best gunners in the league, he has a knack of finding the ball on punts and kickoffs. That’s something this team values. A true grit guy.TJ Yeldon will be the odd man out in my opinion. Just 187 yards of offense last season and not much efficiency the Bills could save $1.5 million in cap if cut.
Wide Receivers
: Stefon Diggs, John Brown, Cole Beasley, Gabe Davis, Isaiah McKenzie, Isaiah Hodgins & Duke Williams (7)
Diggs, Brown, Beasley are all stone cold LOCKS. Veteran leadership, skill and positional diversity at its finest.Both rookie receivers have taken to the playbook and adjusted to the team’s speed, according to reports, with Davis looking like a potential NFL starter. Both have a great combo of skill and youth this receiving core needed to make the team.Things get tricky here with a decision needed between specialist Isaiah McKenzie, fan-favorite Duke Williams, speedy vet Robert Foster and return specialist Andre Roberts for the sixth and seventh WR spot. I believe McKenzie to be the most athletic and diverse receiver of the lot. He can be an elite gunner on special teams and showed promise as a returner to replace Roberts. He came in clutch multiple times last season as a versatile weapon on offense, creating 16 first downs on just 35 touches between receiving and rushing. Duke Williams makes the cut for his physicality, ability to snatch a ball from anywhere in his vicinity and promise he flashed last season.
Tight Ends
: Dawson Knox, Tyler Kroft & Lee Smith (3)
Knox is ready to take over the lead tight end spot this season after a strong rookie campaign. He still has work to do with his hands and route running, but the dude is a physical monster with speed and size on his side. Also has proven he can be a viable blocker.Tyler Kroft should have a solid bounce back season, competing with Knox for snaps IF he can stay healthy. That’s a big if.I hate giving Lee Smith this spot here over the potential of Tommy Sweeney and athletic skills of Croom, but I think we only keep 3 tight ends so we can hold a seventh receiver and Smith’s ability as a blocker is elite at his position. Now if he doesn’t get a penalty every time he’s on the field, I’d like this a lot more.
Offensive Tackle
: Dion Dawkins, Ty Nsekhe, Cody Ford (counting as tackle for now) & Trey Adams (4)
Dion Dawkins is the anchor of this unit, locking in a massive deal a little over a week ago to be our LT of the future. Nsekhe’s veteran leadership, size and ability to play either tackle are vital, as he would be the starter at RT if Ford is moved to guard.Cody Ford will be a starter on this unit, whether at RG or RT. I think he’ll show a lot of improvement and feel more comfortable settling in his second season.Trey Adams is a MONSTER physically and has tremendous upside. Many draft “experts” penned him as a first round talent heading into the 2019 college football season…and NEVER forget his answer to “what he would change about himself”.
Center: Mitch Morse(1)
Morse is the man in the middle on this line and barring an injury, there’s no competition there. It might be a bit sketchy to just hold 1 true C on the final roster, but they did it in 2017 and 2018, adjusting mid-season for injury or holding other linemen who are versatile enough to step in and snap.
Offensive Guard: Quinton Spain, Brian Winters, Ike Boettger & Daryl Williams (4)
A lot of people don’t think that Winters will make this team after some recent struggles with the Jets that lead to him being cut there, but he’s a proven vet that can step in and be a plug-in at either guard spot.Quinton Spain is the best, most consistent guard we have. He and his long sleeves will be the starter at LG.Ike Boettger is a guy who’s been with the team a few years, knows the system and has a tremendous work ethic. He’s an asset as depth and has flexibility along the entire offensive line.Jon Feliciano would 100% be on this list, and my projected starter at RG most likely, but following a pec surgery at the end of July, he’s a candidate for IR. I can’t expect the Bills to waste a chance to see what a guy like Williams can provide by rushing Feliciano back from injury.
When it’s all said and done, this is what I’d expect the final offense to look like heading into week one. The biggest factors I could see that would change this are:
– How much does the team value Andre Roberts?
– Will Jon Feliciano be placed on IR?
– If McDermott deems Cody Ford a better fit at guard for now, he would start at RG and Nysekhe at RT in my opinion.
Let me know where you agree or disagree! There’s a reason I’m not the Gm