This preseason has been an interesting one for the Bills. There have been many position battles that heated up throughout the preseason. A lot of talk has surrounded the Bills offense but there's also many battles for depth positions on defense. With that being said here is our 53 man roster prediction:
Quarterbacks (2): Josh Allen, Matt Barkley
Practice Squad: Tyree Jackson
Cut: None
Despite some very bad times for un-drafted rookie quarterback Tyree Jackson, Jackson ended the preseason by leading the Bills to a late fourth quarter comeback in their final preseason game. Jackson scored two of the final three touchdowns to bring the Bills back after they were down 23-8 with just 3:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. I believe that is enough to earn him a spot on the Bills practice squad.
Running Backs (4): LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Devin Singletary, T.J. Yeldon
Practice Squad: Christian Wade
Cut: Senorise Perry, Marcus Murphy, Patrick DiMarco
The Bills running back room has been a big topic of discussion throughout the offseason. Newcomer Christian Wade made immediate noise with two huge plays during the first two weeks of preseason but then didn't make much noise in the last two preseason games. He will ultimately earn himself a spot on the practice squad where he can continue to improve and learn the game of football. T.J.Yeldon had issues with ball security in the preseason but his ability to be a pass-catching back and a special teams contributor will earn him a spot on the team. Senorise Perry and Marcus Murphy are the odd men out here. Both are solid running backs who can contribute on special teams but neither are as good as Yeldon. Don't be surprised if one ends up on another teams 53 man roster or practice squad. Although the Bills think highly of full back Patrick DiMarco, I think they will cut him this offseason so they can keep other players who can contribute more.
Wide Receivers (7): Cole Beasley, John Brown, Robert Foster, Zay Jones, Andre Roberts, Duke Williams, Isaiah McKenzie
Practice Squad: Ray Ray McCloud, David Sills V
Cut: Cam Phillips, Nick Easley, Victor Bolden Jr.
A lot of discussion this offseason has been around the Bills wide receiver room. It was widely believed that the Bills had five roster locks coming into the preseason being: Cole Beasley, John Brown, Robert Foster, Zay Jones and Andre Roberts. Most believed they would keep one more wide receiver but Duke Williams and Isaiah McKenzie had other plans. Both showed their worth throughout the preseason. Williams showed he could be the red zone threat the Bills need while also being their best run blocking wide receiver. McKenzie showed he can be a great slot option behind Cole Beasley and also a great special teams player when called on. Both should make the team and the Bills should have some great depth at wide receiver.
Tight Ends (4): Tyler Kroft, Dawson Knox, Tommy Sweeney, Lee Smith
Cut: Jason Croom, Keith Towbridge, Nate Becker, Kyle Carter
Keeping four tight ends is not normal for many NFL teams, but there is not much the Bills can do here with Tyler Kroft's injury. If Kroft is placed on the PUP list, he is unable to practice or play until week six. He will most likely be back from his injury before then considering there is talk surrounding a week one return. Dawson Knox will make this team despite nursing an injury for most of training camp and preseason because the Bills are confident in his abilities. Despite being a seventh round pick Tommy Sweeney has made a lot of noise in the preseason and solidified his spot on this roster. The Bills will also keep Lee Smith because of his run blocking ability. When Kroft returns the Bills will have to decide who to get rid of.
Offensive Line (8): Dion Dawkins, Quinton Spain, Mitch Morse, Cody Ford, Ty Nsekhe, Jon Feliciano, Spencer Long, Ryan Bates
Practice Squad: Jarron Jones, Ike Boettger
Cut: Demetrius Rhaney, Conor McDermott, Erik Magnuson
Injured Reserve: LaAdrian Waddle
There has been a lot of discussion around the Bills offensive line throughout the offseason, so here's my projection of who will start:
LT - Dion Dawkins
LG - Quinton Spain
C - Mitch Morse
RG - Cody Ford
RT - Ty Nsekhe
I believe Cody Ford will slide to guard and Ty Nsekhe will play right tackle because the Bills front office and coaching staff have a lot of confidence in both of those players. Then, for depth, the Bills will keep Jon Feliciano and Spencer Long who can both backup left guard, center and right guard. The last lineman that will make the 53 man roster is Ryan Bates because of his ability to play all five spots on the offensive line. I believe if the Bills encounter an injury to either tackle they will slide Ford to the tackle and then insert Feliciano or Long into the guard spot before letting Bates start at tackle. By keeping these eight lineman they have many versatile players and should be able to have a solid line despite an injury. Tackle Jarron Jones earned himself a spot on the Bills practice squad after a solid preseason and I believe they will also put guard, Ike Boettger, on the practice squad because of the coaching staff's confidence in his play.
Defensive Tackles (4): Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Jordan Phillips, Harrison Phillips
Practice Squad: Kyle Peko
Cut: Roderick Young, LT Walton
This will be an easy decision for the Bills coaching staff. They will keep first round draft pick Ed Oliver, and last years starter Star Lotulelei. They will also keep Jordan Phillips and Harrison Phillips who are solid depth players at the defensive tackle position. One surprise may be Kyle Peko. Peko has a solid preseason and I believe it was good enough to solidify him a spot on the practice squad.
Defensive End (4): Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson, Darryl Johnson
Practice Squad: Eddie Yarbrough
Cut: Jeff Holland, Sam Acho
Injured Reserve: Mike Love
This is yet another easy decision for the Bills. They will obviously keep Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy who started for them last year. Shaq Lawson will also stay after another offseason full of improvement. But it was seventh round pick Darryl Johnson who surprised everyone and made this decision easy for the Bills. Johnson dominated second and third team offensive lines when he faced them and even pressured Stafford a bit when he started against the Lions in preseason week three. Mike Love had a solid preseason until his injury so he will sit on injured reserve and hopefully be back next year. to compete for a spot. Eddie Yarbough benefited from Love's injury but also earned his spot in preseason week four when he showed out in the first half. Jeff Holland and Sam Acho weren't given much of an opportunity behind all this talent and are the odd men out here.
Linebackers (7): Tremaine Edmunds, Lorenzo Alexander, Matt Milano, Julian Stanford, Corey Thompson, Vosean Joseph, Maurice Alexander
Practice Squad: Tyrel Dodson
Cut: Deon Lacey
The starters are a no brainer here for the Bills coaching staff so the offseason was filled with evaluating depth. Julian Stanford, Maurice Alexander and Corey Thompson showed they could be the depth this team needs at linebacker. I believe they will also keep Vosean Joseph due to his unique skill set. They will then place Tyrel Dodson on the practice squad because he is a young promising player.
Cornerbacks (6): Tre'Davious White, Levi Wallace, Taron Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Captain Munnerlyn, Lafayette Pitts
Practice Squad: Cam Lewis, Siran Neal
Cut: Denzel Rice, Ryan Lewis
The Bills came into the preseason not sure what depth they would have behind star cornerback, Tre White, but I believe this is the best secondary they have had in years. Levi Wallace picked up where he left off last year and had a great preseason. Despite battling an injury Taron Johnson had a solid offseason and will most likely start at nickel cornerback. Kevin Johnson, Captain Munnerlyn and Lafayette Pitts will add veteran depth to a young secondary and contribute on special teams. As for the practice squad, Cam Lewis had a solid shot to make the 53 man roster but his injury stopped him from showing his talents in the last two weeks of the preseason. Siran Neal is in the middle of converting from a safety to a cornerback and has showed enough to the Bills coaching staff to stay on the practice squad for now. Denzel Rice and Ryan Lewis are the odd men out here. Ryan Lewis may be a shock to some fans because he played good last year for the Bills before he fell down the Bills depth chart due to injury.
Safeties (4): Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Jaquan Johnson, Kurt Coleman
Cut: Dean Marlowe, Abraham Wallace
Probably the most solidified starters here, Poyer and Hyde are no brainers for the Bills coaching staff. Depth was a big concern though. The Bills signed veteran Kurt Coleman who should solidify one of those depth positions but the other should be filled by Jaquan Johnson who had a stellar preseason. Pro Football Focus actually rated Johnson the preseason's best player with a 97.7 rating out of 100. That type of play should get him on the roster.
Special Teams (2):
Kicker: Stephen Hauschka
Punter: Punter Signed from FA
Long Snapper: Reid Ferguson
Cut: Corey Bojorquez
Stephen Hauschka is a no brainer here for the Bills considering they just signed him to a two-year deal. Reid Ferguson will handle the long snapper spot. The punting spot however has been a bad situation. The Bills cut Cory Carter and many fans thought the Bills would then stick with Corey Bojorquez, but his terrible play in preseason week four is worth searching the punter market or even bringing back Cory Carter. Either way, I think the Bills move on from Bojorquez.
Final Practice Squad Roster:
Tyree Jackson - QB
David Sills V - WR
Ray Ray McCloud - WR
Jarron Jones - OT
Ike Boettger - OG
Christian Wade - RB
Kyle Peko - DT
Eddie Yarbrough - DE
Tyrel Dodson - LB
Cam Lewis - CB
Siran Neal - S/CB
*Note: Christian Wade does not count towards the practice squad roster so the Bills are indeed allowed to have ten other players on their practice squad besides Wade.*
Comments