The Buffalo Bills roster has changed quite a bit since last season, the beginning of training camp, and the first preseason game. Predicting the final 53-man roster has proven to be difficult but we’re going to give it one more shot before final cutdowns this Saturday.
Here is an updated look on who we think will make the 53-man roster. Be sure to let everyone know what you think of it in the comments section.
QB (3): Tyrod Taylor, Nathan Peterman, Keith Wenning
Preseason: Tyrod Taylor, Nathan Peterman, T.J. Yates
Training Camp: Tyrod Taylor, T.J. Yates, Nathan Peterman
Until Taylor comes back healthy from his concussion, they can’t get rid of Wenning or Yates but with Yates banged up, too, I went with the new kid in town. It stinks that they may have to use a roster spot on that third QB this weekend and allow one of the final cuts to get away, especially if Yates’ season ends with a trip to injured reserve. They could also cut Wenning Saturday only to re-sign him Tuesday if necessary.
RB (3): LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Joe Banyard
Preseason: LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Joe Banyard
Training Camp: LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams
Banyard added a touchdown in the preseason finale to his stellar special teams work. He has played his way onto the roster.
FB (2): Patrick DiMarco, Mike Tolbert
Preseason: Patrick DiMarco, Mike Tolbert
Training Camp: Patrick DiMarco, Mike Tolbert
This looks to be pretty solid, though Tolbert could be a surprise cut or game day inactive if Banyard’s special teams play makes him a better weekly option.
WR (6): Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews, Andre Holmes, Brandon Tate, Brandon Reilly, Philly Brown
Preseason: Zay Jones, Jordan Matthews, Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Brandon Tate, Philly Brown (Walt Powell, suspended list)
Training Camp: Sammy Watkins, Anquan Boldin, Zay Jones, Brandon Tate, Andre Holmes, Philly Brown (Walt Powell, suspended list)
Reilly was the last cut on the previous version of this list but has played his way onto the squad in the final two preseason games. Brown makes the team because of Rod Streater’s toe injury. We haven’t heard any updates since he was injured two weeks ago.
TE (3): Charles Clay, Nick O’Leary, Logan Thomas
Preseason: Charles Clay, Nick O’Leary, Logan Thomas
Training Camp: Charles Clay, Nick O’Leary, Jason Croom
Thomas has successfully made the transition to tight end and will likely play a role at some point in the season. I’ve heard some media wondering if Clay could be a surprise cut, but with no great options at wide receiver and an additional $4.5 million added to the cap, that doesn’t make sense even if they were to sign a Gary Barnidge. Could we still see a fourth tight end added this weekend? Definitely, and probably likely. If that’s the case, you could see Tolbert or Brown get the boot.
OL (8): Eric Wood, Richie Incognito, Jonathan Miller, Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Ryan Groy, Dion Dawkins, Michael Ola (Seantrel Henderson, suspended)
Preseason: Eric Wood, Richie Incognito, Jonathan Miller, Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Ryan Groy, Dion Dawkins, Michael Ola (Seantrel Henderson, suspended list)
Training Camp: Eric Wood, Richie Incognito, Jonathan Miller, Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Ryan Groy, Dion Dawkins, Vlad Ducasse (Seantrel Henderson, suspended list)
As the 8th lineman, Ola needs to provide versatility so he makes it over Jordan Mudge. (If Henderson wasn’t suspended, it might have saved Mudge's job after a great preseason.) Ducasse has looked bad over and over again this preseason, but the coaches seem to like him. Still, Ola was injured Thursday and in a walking boot and Glenn's foot make this a spot they will look to upgrade on Sunday or keep Ducasse in the short term. They probably don’t have time to see if Ola can heal up before Week 1.
DE (4): Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Eddie Yarbough, Ryan Davis
Preseason: Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Eddie Yarbough, Ryan Davis
Training Camp: Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Ryan Davis, Marquavius Lewis, Max Valles
The emergence of Yarbough has been one of the great stories of camp. He has played his way onto the roster after another great game. Ian Seau has two sacks and a forced fumble on Saturday, but with injuries elsewhere he has to sign with the practice squad. The emergence of depth here has been a welcome surprise.
DT (5): Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Jerel Worthy, Adolphus Washington, Deandre Coleman
Preseason: Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Jerel Worthy, Adolphus Washington
Training Camp: Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Jerel Worthy, Adolphus Washington
Worthy’s concussion won’t keep him off the roster. He’ll be heavily involved in the rotation. Despite his attitude, a Marcell Dareus cut would be an astronomical cap hit and a trade would be foolish for any other team to take on. Will Buffalo keep a fifth DT due to Worthy's status? If they do it will probably be Coleman.
LB (6): Lorenzo Alexander, Preston Brown, Ramon Humber, Gerald Hodges, Matt Milano, Tanner Vallejo
Preseason: Lorenzo Alexander, Preston Brown, Ramon Humber, Gerald Hodges, Matt Milano, Tanner Vallejo, Reggie Ragland
Training Camp: Lorenzo Alexander, Reggie Ragland, Preston Brown, Ramon Humber, Gerald Hodges, Matt Milano, Tanner Vallejo
Ragland’s trade allowed me to keep an extra defensive end on my final roster cut. The rookies will play a lot of special teams for now.
CB (6): Tre’Davious White, Shareece Wright, E.J. Gaines, Leonard Johnson, Kevon Seymour, Greg Mabin
Preseason: Tre’Davious White, Kevon Seymour, Shareece Wright, Leonard Johnson, E.J. Gaines, Greg Mabin
Training Camp: Ronald Darby, Tre’Davious White, Kevon Seymour, Leonard Johnson, Sharecee Wright, Bradley Sylve
Mabin has been impressive this preseason, and not just for his interceptions against the Eagles and Lions. They will be the play we remember, for sure, but he has been solid all camp. Seymour fell far after suffering an injury and may have fallen off the roster in favor of Sylve. They could also keep an extra cornerback in lieu of another safety. Sylve was my final cut.
S (4): Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Trae Elston, Shamiel Gary
Preseason: Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Trae Elston, Shamiel Gary
Training Camp: Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Bacarri Rambo, Colt Anderson
I only kept four safeties, with some ability from the cornerbacks to drop deeper into the secondary. Sylve and Mabin made more plays down the stretch than Anderson and this is definitely a position Buffalo can add folks on Sunday. Despite a nagging injury, Gary gets the nod over the other guys at the position.
ST (3): Steven Hauschka, Reid Ferguson, Colton Schmidt
Preseason: Steven Hauschka, Reid Ferguson, Colton Schmidt
Training camp: Steven Hauschka, Reid Ferguson, Austin Rehkow
This was set in stone when Rehkow was released.
Notable cuts/injured reserve: QB T.J. Yates, WR Rod Streater, WR Walt Powell, OG Vlad Ducasse, OG Jordan Mudge, DE Ian Seau, CB Bradley Sylve, S Colt Anderson
Suspended list: OT Seantrel Henderson
Practice squad priorities: OG Jordan Mudge, S B.T. Sanders, WR Daikiel Shorts, DE Ian Seau, CB Bradley Sylve