With just one preseason game left and many of the returning veterans solidified in their roles, players on the bubble of the roster will be giving it their all, fighting for a spot on the Buffalo Bills.
One of the biggest battles at the moment is in the wide receiver room, with multiple players battling to make the squad, as well as battling for spots on the practice squad. Let’s dive into who’s a lock for the roster, who’s on the bubble and who we can see on the practice squad.
The Locks (4):
Stefon Diggs isn't going anywhere any time soon. Allen’s number one target and one of the league’s best at the position, Diggs could see an increased role in his third year with the team with the departures of Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders. With the departure of Beasley in particular, we could see Diggs moved around the field a bit more, working inside and outside as a receiver to make an already elite Buffalo offense even more dynamic.
The next man on the depth chart is Gabriel Davis. The third year receiver has taken strides year by year, being a reliable depth option for Allen in his rookie campaign, evolving in his second year to be a legitimate threat, clear by his enormous playoff performance against Kansas City. In year three, with the departures of Beasley and Sanders, Davis will look to fill that WR2 role, being heavily relied on in the passing game.
Sanders and Davis split duties being across from Diggs as a vertical threat and both were quite successful, but we’ll have to see if the UCF-product can prove he’s capable of playing at a high level for a 17-game span, something he’s yet to do in his young career. Through two seasons, Davis has made the most of every opportunity thrown his way.
Isaiah McKenzie, the self-described “Face of the Franchise”, has come a long way since the Bills took a chance on the playmaker in 2018 following his release from Denver. Stashed behind Beasley as the team’s backup slot wide receiver for the past few seasons, McKenzie now has a chance to shine as the Bills’ starting slot receiver. In the few games he has started, the playmaker has shined, hauling in six receptions against the Dolphins in 2020, for 65 yards and two touchdowns, adding another touchdown as a punt returner.
McKenzie also shined against the Patriots last season in the absence of Beasley, having 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Not only does McKenzie appear to be a threat from the slot, but his speed and agility make him a playmaker, giving him the tools to gain yards after the catch. The Bills also have utilized his athleticism in the past with jet sweeps and other exotic plays to keep the defense thinking. Although Beasley provided the safe floor of being one of the league’s best slot receivers, McKenzie could be the better option due to his athleticism and dynamic ability he brings to the offense, providing a higher ceiling for the Bills at the position.
The last roster lock should be a surprise to no one. Saying Khalil Shakir has shined through training camp and preseason would be an understatement. The fifth-round selection has turned heads heading into the 2022 season, a reminder of what a rookie Davis looked like just two seasons ago. Although the two are different players with different attributes, in every situation that Shakir’s number has been called, the rookie has risen to the occasion and even more. The rookie ranks second in yards through two preseason games (151).
No one is quite sure what Shakir’s role will look like in the offense just yet, being stashed behind some talented veterans, but it can be said that if Shakir continues to impress it’ll certainly be difficult to keep the rookie off the field. Shakir also adds value as a returner, a position he has handled well through preseason.
The Bubble (5):
Jamison Crowder is the next most notable receiver remaining in the conversation. The veteran comes from New York following three solid seasons with the Jets, but three seasons plagued with injury that kept the receiver from reaching his true potential.
Early on in the offseason Crowder appeared to be an underrated signing by the team who was looking to replace the role of Beasley, adding a veteran slot presence to compete with Isaiah McKenzie. As training camp began, Crowder battled injury already and the emergence of Shakir made it seem as if Crowder could be on the outside looking in, in a talented room of wideouts. But as cut-down day nears closer, it would be hard not to see the veteran on the 53-man roster with the release of Tavon Austin, who could have snuck on the roster as a return man and slot presence.
With Diggs, Davis, McKenzie, Shakir and likely Crowder, that just leaves one more spot on the 53-man roster for a wide receiver, considering the team typically keeps six. There is the potential that the team keeps a seventh receiver on the 53-man roster, but I wouldn’t count on it.
With that being said, last year’s WR6 was Jake Kumerow, also known as “Touchdown Jesus.” Kumerow appeared in 15 of the 17 regular season games last year with Buffalo and played in both playoff games. However, the veteran wideout had just two catches on the season, commanding a special teams role.
Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have always showed emphasis on having true special teams players, with guys making the roster year after year to specialize in the third phase of the game. Kumerow is truly one of those players, playing 60.83% of special teams’ snaps in 2021 and 21.16% of special teams’ snaps in 2020. The veteran also does add some value as a receiver, catching a touchdown from Josh Allen in 2020, but hasn’t been given much opportunity outside of a few games. Regardless, if Kumerow earns that WR6 role again this season, it’ll be because of his special teams role and the front office’s emphasis on the importance of the third phase of the game.
Isaiah Hodgins is the most likely candidate to be pushing Kumerow for that WR6 role, but not because of special teams. Hodgins has shined throughout the preseason thus far, flashing on the field with crafty releases from the line of scrimmage and slick route running. Hodgins ability to create separation, along with his large frame and catch radius is a dream for a quarterback like Allen, who can fit the ball in the tightest of spots. Through two preseason games, Hodgins has the 12th most yards in the NFL (105).
However, Hodgins will likely have to be more than a receiving threat to make the 53-man roster. With a ton of talent ahead of him on the depth chart, the Bills may truly value Kumerow’s special teams role over Hodgins' receiving ability, making Hodgins the man on the outside looking in.
The battle between Kumerow and Hodgins appears to be one of the most notable on the roster at the moment. If Hodgins proves he can play that special teams role, then he’s the WR6. If not, it is likely Kumerow.
But let’s say Hodgins does not make the team. Is he safe to stash on the practice squad? It would not be a shock to see another team grab Hodgins, considering the wide receiver would have to clear waivers to make the Bills' practice squad. Because of that, Buffalo is in an interesting spot. Does Kumerow clear waivers? He probably has a better chance of doing so than Hodgins. In sum, Beane will have to consider the options at hand and make the decision that is ultimately best for the future of the team. Regardless, both are talented football players and Buffalo would love to see them both in a Bills uniform for the entire season.
So, with Kumerow or Hodgins manning that WR6 spot and the other likely being the first practice squad wide receiver kept, that leaves one more spot on the practice squad for a wide receiver, and the first of the remaining options being Marquez Stevenson.
Stevenson was a sixth-round selection by the Bills in 2021 and flashed immediately in his rookie preseason. Returning a punt and coming up with a few big catches, Stevenson showed promise immediately as a returner and a wideout. The Houston product was then inactive for the first ten games of the 2021 season, but with questions at returner, Stevenson was activated and given a shot. The rookie returner didn’t flash through the five games he appeared in and ultimately took a seat for the final three games of the year.
Heading into his second season in the league, with the returner role wide open, it appeared as if Stevenson would have a shot to make the 53-man roster if he could prove he adds value to the wide receiver room as a returner. Well, a foot injury that required surgery sidetracked Stevenson and the second-year receiver won’t appear in the preseason this year.
We’re unsure how the team will handle Stevenson when it comes to cut-down day, but it’s almost a guarantee the young receiver won’t make the 53-man roster. The Bills will have two options: place him on Injured Reserve or move on from the young receiver. IR will likely be the move for Buffalo as it allows them to hang onto Stevenson. The young receiver didn’t flash enough to make the 53-man roster in his time on the field, but he certainly hasn’t been poor enough to get cut.
The final notable wide receiver is Tanner Gentry. Gentry, Allen’s top college wide receiver, joined the Bills on January 4, 2021, when he was placed on the practice squad and later assigned to a future’s/reserve contract. He spent the entirety of the 2021 season on the practice squad and did not appear in a game last season. Back with the team in 2022, it appears that he will join the practice squad yet again.
Gentry is your ideal back-end of the practice squad wide receiver. God forbid the Bills have enough injuries at wide receiver for Gentry to see the field, Allen would have a receiver he has a ton of rapport with to throw the ball to and the two made quite the plays in college as a tandem. It also doesn’t hurt to have one of Allen’s best friends from college around to keep the vibes up around One Bills Drive.
Between our four locks and five bubble players, that means the Bills will likely keep nine wide receivers, with Stevenson likely headed to the IR. But there’s one more wide receiver we should note…
Von’s Buddy (1):
IS ODELL BECKHAM JR. GOING TO BECOME A BUFFALO BILL? Only time will tell. Von Miller has been heavily recruiting the superstar wide receiver to Buffalo in hopes of a reunion that results in another Super Bowl ring.
Bills fans have been at odds when it comes to OBJ, with opponents saying the team does not need the star-wide receiver. And as a proponent of adding the superstar, I agree. Buffalo absolutely does not NEED OBJ, but you WANT the superstar.
The biggest opponents of bringing in OBJ will tell you we have enough talent at the position already. Which, yes, if the Bills do not add the superstar they will likely be alright with who’s at the position. However, the more talented wideouts you have, the better off you are. OBJ would take away snaps from guys like McKenzie, Davis, Shakir and Crowder and even likely take a roster spot from someone on that list, but it’s undeniable that the superstar was a big reason for the Rams’ success. Adding another big-time threat to Allen’s disposal would make the offense even more dynamic and the thought of being able to rotate at wide receiver, keeping guys fresh and healthy, is a dream for teams who want to be playing their best football late in the season.
Another point I’d like to make to those opponents of bringing in OBJ is that Davis, McKenzie, Shakir and Crowder are true unknown commodities. As we’ve said before, Davis and McKenzie have not proven they can produce as starters through a 17-game season. This does not mean I do not have the confidence in them to do so, but if one of the two is struggling to produce, OBJ can take some pressure off of their shoulders. As a rookie, no one knows what Shakir’s role will be and I’m sure another superstar veteran receiver would be a great asset to his development as well. And then Crowder, the receiver who’s struggled to remain healthy through the past two seasons, is yet another reason why bringing in OBJ makes sense.
Now, I honestly doubt the Bills sign the superstar wideout because of the talent they currently have at the position. Besides, I fully trust who we have. But, the idea of OBJ coming back from injury, joining the team late in the season when they’re equipped for a playoff push and adding just one more playmaker to be aware of, to game plan for, to take the attention and pressure off of young wide receivers is an undeniable asset to this offense.
One final argument I’ve heard from opponents is that OBJ wants to play in a big market. Although Buffalo is the smallest market in the NFL, it's undeniable that the players on this team are on the league’s biggest stages. With five primetime games already, two more games late in the season with the possibility of being flexed into primetime, AND primetime playoff games, OBJ would be seen on national broadcasts much more than most large market teams.
As long as it’s at a cost-effective price and OBJ is willing to take a backseat at times, which I fully believe he would do to play with a quarterback like Allen on a true contending team, then it's a no-brainer for the Bills to add the superstar veteran for a playoff push down the road. It’ll ultimately come down to cost and who’s the odd man out in the room being pushed out to add room for OBJ.
Now that we have discussed all the wide receivers who should be in Buffalo this season, as well as the OBJ saga, let’s look at the Bills’ running game.
The Three Headed Monster (3 - duh):
Although there isn’t necessarily a huge roster battle in the running back room, with multiple players appearing to have job security and the Bills favoring a committee-style system, there will certainly be a battle for snaps throughout the season.
With Devin Singeltary, Zack Moss and James Cook all being day-two draft picks in the past few seasons, they all pose a threat to opposing defenses. Singletary was the team’s clear starter at the position last season, making much improvement from his previous two seasons and being much more explosive as a runner. The FAU product had himself an impressive third year in the league, finding his stride late in the season and into the playoffs. Between Singletary and Allen, the Bills had a revamped rushing attack, good to rank sixth in the league. The two combined for 1,633 of the team’s 2,209 rushing yards.
Heading into the 2022 season, Singletary should start out as the Bills RB1, but keeping that role won’t go without a fight. Moss played a backseat to the FAU product last season but still had his moments in which he made an impact. With 542 total yards in 13 games last season, Moss still found ways to make contributions despite limited snaps. The Utah product also had four rushing touchdowns showing the team’s desire to utilize the hard-nosed runner in short-yardage situations, something we have seen thus far in the preseason.
In addition to being that hard-nosed short-yardage runner, Moss has also proven to be a more than reliable receiving option for the offense. The Utah product has just two drops through his two seasons in the NFL, with 37 receptions for 292 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He’s also been known to make some receiver-esque catches near the sidelines and his first touchdown in the league was an absolute rocket of a pass from Allen.
Following Moss on the Bills' depth chart currently is Cook, who brings a change of pace to the Buffalo backfield. The biggest criticism of Singletary is his long-distance rushing ability, which improved last season, but the offense still needs more of those explosive plays. Cook is exactly that, but he’s capable of doing so in more ways than one.
The Georgia product utilizes his speed and agility on runs outside the tackles, and in the passing game to break off explosive plays. Cook’s ability to make men miss and gain yards after the catch is second to none and should add more tools to an already dynamic Buffalo offense. His long-speed and elite acceleration is a tool that Singletary and Moss do not have. Adding Cook is a true dream for the Bills, who now have a three-headed monster of running backs who all possess unique skills.
The Special Teams Ace (1):
As we stated earlier, Beane and McDermott value players who can play special teams. The third phase of the game is undeniably important and haunts even some of the league’s best teams. Taiwan Jones is one of the most under appreciated players on Buffalo's roster.
Having no rushing attempts through the past two seasons, Jones provides value in special teams, playing 70.51% of special teams’ snaps in 2021, a bump from his 46.55% in 2020. The veteran was also a member of the Bills in 2018 but played just 20.96% of special teams’ snaps. Considering Jones’ large special teams role, it would be a shock to see the Bills not bring back the veteran, considering Buffalo’s clear value of the third phase of the game.
The Preseason Hero (1):
Among seeing Moss and Cook make their talents known in this year’s preseason, there has been another Buffalo running back who undeniably has made his mark. Raheem Blackshear has been turning heads as a runner throughout the preseason, rushing for 69 yards and two touchdowns, with an NFL-leading 81 receiving yards amongst running backs through two games. Blackshear also ranks fifth for missed tackles forced (5) and slots in at 12th in yards per attempt (6.3).
With Singletary, Moss, Cook and Jones seemingly set to make the 53-man roster, it is hard to think that there is room on the team for Blackshear. However, the preseason standout certainly should make the practice squad and barring any other team taking Blackshear for their 53-man roster, then the rookie should provide a safety net for the Bills if God forbid a running back or two got injured. Blackshear also provides value as a potential return man, as he has seen opportunities throughout training camp and preseason as a kick returner.
However, there is ALWAYS one preseason standout that fans fall in love with and that player does not always pan out or make the squad.
In all seriousness, this Bills roster in 2022 is about to be LOADED with talent, including the practice squad. Our predictions could be incorrect considering the tough decisions that will need to be made by the front office and coaching staff, but regardless of the final results this Buffalo team will be one of the most, if not the most talented team in the league.
The 2022 regular season is about to be a load of fun! *Hopefully*
Until then, Go Bills!
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