Here’s an updated Buffalo Bills depth chart following the draft. Undrafted free agents weren’t included, as they haven’t been officially announced and some may not make it past minicamp.
Quarterback
Tyrod Taylor, Cardale Jones, T.J. Yates, Nathan Peterman, Josh Woodrum
Tyrod Taylor is the unquestioned stater. The most intriguing aspect of this quarterback group is the diametrically opposed skill sets of Cardale Jones and Nathan Peterman. Jones can throw the ball 80 yards and has accuracy issues. Peterman lacks arm-strength but thrives from an accuracy perspective. Jones is 6’5”, 253. Peterman is 6’2”, 226.
Running Back
LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Cedric O’Neal, Joe Banyard
Shady McCoy is 1,046 yards away from joining the exclusive 10,000 rushing yards club. Jonathan Williams will get a fantastic opportunity to prove his value as a No. 2 in Buffalo’s offense.
Fullback
Patrick DiMarco, Mike Tolbert
Mike Tolbert is more of a runner/receiver but he’s technically a fullback. Patrick DiMarco is in line to played about 20-30% of the Bills offensive snaps as a lead-blocker and will likely get some work in the passing game.
Wide Receiver
Sammy Watkins, Zay Jones, Andre Holmes, Walter Powell, Philly Brown, Brandon Tate, Jeremy Butler, Corey Washington, Dezmin Lewis, Kolby Listenbee
From Sammy Watkins’ foot, to Zay Jones’ transition to a non-gadgety offense, to the “redshirted” Kolby Listenbee, there’s a decent amount of talent in this group, but it’s loaded with question marks and uncertainty.
Tight End
Charles Clay, Nick O’Leary, Blake Annen, Logan Thomas
Charles Clay had a strong December, and Nick O’Leary had an out-of-nowhere rebound after spending time on the practice squad in 2015 and 2016. Both are three-down tight ends who excel as blockers and provide an adequate threat at receivers. Obviously, Clay is more likely to have a big receiving day. The sleeper here is the 6’6”, 248-pound Logan Thomas, a converted QB who has Rob Gronkowski-like athleticism.
Offensive Tackle
Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Cyrus Kouandjio, Dion Dawkins, Seantrel Henderson, Michael Ola
Unless he has a monster summer, Jordan Mills is primed to be replaced as Buffalo’s starting right tackle by the powerfully nimble Dion Dawkins. We aren’t sure what the future holds for Cyrus Kouandjio or Seantrel Henderson. If healthy and eligible to play, they’re the Bills swing tackles. Michael Ola is purely an emergency depth option.
Offensive Guard
Richie Incognito, John Miller, Vladimir Ducasse, Jordan Mudge
Not much changed here from 2016. After a concerning rookie campaign, John Miller was the highest-graded Bills offensive in my system in his second NFL season. Ducasse has labored through a tough pro career. He does provide some value in the run game though.
Center
Eric Wood, Ryan Groy, Patrick Lewis
Before his serious leg injury against the Seahawks, Eric Wood was having a good, not great season. After taking awhile to settle in against Seattle, Groy was a godsend at the pivot for Buffalo’s offensive line down the stretch.
Defensive End
Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Ryan Davis, Max Valles, Ian Seau, Jake Metz
If healthy, Hughes can still be reliable pass-rusher. In 2016, he didn’t make much of an impact after the first month of the season — which is apparently when his hamstring injury occurred. Many eyes will be on Shaq Lawson, as he’ll play the defensive end position he flourished in at Clemson. Ryan Davis can — and likely will — play every spot on the Bills defensive line.
Defensive Tackle
Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Adolphus Washington, Jerel Worthy, Deandre Coleman
Not the deepest group here, but we know what Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus can do if they’re on the field together. As for the depth, Adolphus Washington and Jerel Worthy are much better fits in a one-gapping 4-3 defense than the scheme they were in a season ago. No joke here, at times in 2016 — and I’m talking a few snaps per game -- Deandre Coleman had Dareusian flashes. I expect Buffalo to add a handful of interior defensive linemen before camp.
Linebacker
Preston Brown, Lorenzo Alexander, Reggie Ragland, Ramon Humber, Matt Milano, Trae Elston, Tanner Vallejo, Junior Sylvestre, Jacob Lindsey, Eddie Yarbrough
Boy, does McDermott love him some linebackers. Seems like he prefers the “smaller, faster” types. Preston Brown and Reggie Ragland will be the “early-down” starters, and we’ll have to wait to see who plays better in coverage to earn the privilege of staying on the field on “passing downs.” It could be both of them. Matt Milano and Tanner Vallejo are more of the linebackers McDermott likes but are late-round rookies with inconsistencies in their games.
Cornerback
Ronald Darby, Tre’Davious White, Kevon Seymour, Shareece Wright, Leonard Johnson, Marcus Cromartie, Charles James, Marcus Roberson, Charles Gaines, Bradley Sylve
McDermott clearly wants to have a deep secondary as well. Tre’Davious White isn’t a huge corner but passes the 32-inch arm threshold — something the Seahawks, another Cover 3-based team, considers with their corners. Ronald Darby and White can play anywhere across the line of scrimmage, which will give Buffalo’s defense plenty of versatility. Kevon Seymour and Shareece Wright are twitchy enough to play inside and have decent size to play on the perimeter if needed.
Safety
Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Colt Anderson, Joe Powell, Jonathan Dowling, Gary Shamiel
More multi-faceted players in Buffalo’s defensive backfield. Micah Hyde thrived everywhere for the Packers. Poyer was a ball-hawking cornerback in college and transitioned well to safety for the Browns. The Bills need more depth at this spot.
Specialists
Stephen Hauschka, Colton Schmidt, Reid Ferguson
Hauschka’s been one of the most accurate field-goal kickers in the NFL over the past few seasons yet struggled on extra points in 2016. Schmidt wasn’t nearly as effective in 2016 as he was in 2015. Reid Ferguson will replace veteran long-snapper Garrison Sanborn.