Projecting the Buffalo Bills' final roster, V6.0

In case you're new to Buffalo Rumblings, here's the scoop: because I'm obsessive-compulsive, because I'm a nerd, and because this is what the pre-season is really all about, we have already pored over four Buffalo Bills 53-man roster projections to date.  We looked at one before camp, and one after the first week of camp practices.  We've done the exercise after each pre-season game as well.  This posting is the post-Pittsburgh posting.

I've got some minor changes to the projection.  If you're interested in previous iterations, check our archives.  All you need to know for this iteration is after the jump - and if you yearn to know more, just ask in the comments section.

We start at 80, and quickly move to 78
The Bills currently have 80 players on the active roster (or close to it, in the case of James Hardy).  As usual, RB Marshawn Lynch is an exemption, as he'll start the season on the Reserve/Suspended list as he serves a three-game suspension.  Hardy is currently on the PUP List.  Having heard nothing to suggest that he is close to returning to the practice field, we'll keep him on PUP to start the regular season.

First roster cut-down: to 75
As Lynch still counts against the active roster, we need to cut four players to get to the first cut-down limit of 75 players (which will need to officially happen on September 1 - these cuts could happen literally at any moment).  This shouldn't be a big deal.  The four players cut here: TE Travis McCall, OT Nick Hennessey, LB Ryan Manalac, CB Lydell Sargeant.

Second roster cut-down: to 53
The second cut-down will take place, at the latest, on September 5 - two days after this Thursday's pre-season finale.  The Bills will only need to cut 21 players in this round of cuts, however, as it will be in this time frame that Lynch is added to the Reserve/Suspended list.  The list of cuts in this round - obviously the most critical round - are below in the ultra-important blue box.

QB Matt Baker, RB Bruce Hall, FB Corey McIntyre, WR Felton Huggins, WR C.J. Hawthorne, WR Shaine Smith, TE Jonathan Stupar, OT Jonathan Scott, OT Chris Denman, C Christian Gaddis, DE Copeland Bryan, DE Ataefiok Etukeren, DT Derrick Jones, DT Marcus Smith, DT Corey Mace, LB Pat Thomas, LB Alvin Bowen, LB Ashlee Palmer, LB Solomon Elimimian, CB Cary Harris, FS Ko Simpson

I'm sure there are a few choices that you disagree with in there.  You can get after me about those in the comments section, as I won't be taking the time to explain many of the same cuts that I've made in the past.  First, here's the final roster (minus Lynch and Hardy, who are obviously still with the team) in depth chart form:

And, quickly, here are the eight guys previously released that I'm working to bring back for the practice squad:

Again - you've heard many of my explanations already.  If you have questions, ask them.  If you see things differently, tell us about it.  Have at it.