Buffalo Bills’ 2019 final 53-man roster prediction

The Buffalo Bills finished the preseason today. What a fast journey it’s been from our first roster projection back in June. Here is our final roster projection based off of training camp and the preseason.

Please note I only kept 52 players because they are going to replace that 53rd guy in the next day or so.

Quarterback (2)

Josh Allen
Matt Barkley

Buffalo began 2018 with Allen and Nathan Peterman. They began 2017 with Tyrod Taylor and Peterman. Sean McDermott keeps two QBs and Tyree hasn’t proven to be anything more than a developmental QB.

Cuts: Tyree Jackson
Changes since training camp: None

Running Back (5)

Patrick DiMarco
Frank Gore
LeSean McCoy
Devin Singletary
T.J. Yeldon

Yeldon and Perry have been battling for a roster spot all camp. Ultimately Perry’s injury decides that Buffalo will keep a running back they expect to sit the bench on Sundays; McCoy, Gore, Singletary, and Yeldon all don’t play special teams. Of course, Buffalo could still trade one in the next few days.

Cuts: Senorise Perry, Marcus Murphy, Christian Wade
Changes since training camp: Yeldon back in, Perry back out

Wide Receiver (6)

Cole Beasley
John Brown
Robert Foster
Zay Jones
Andre Roberts
Duke Williams

Williams gets the nod over Isaiah McKenzie because he provides something they don’t have. At least two of the roster cuts should make the roster, right? Foster gets a huge bump from special teams in the last couple weeks.

Cuts: Victor Bolden Jr., Nick Easley, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Isaiah McKenzie, Cam Phillips, David Sills V
Changes since training camp: Duke Williams in, David Sills out

Tight End (3)

Dawson Knox
Tyler Kroft (PUP list)
Lee Smith
Tommy Sweeney

With the Bills placing Kroft on the preseason PUP list, and Kroft not expected back for a while, it’s likely he is going to remain on the PUP list to start the regular season, and when he’s healthy Buffalo can pop him onto the active roster. Sweeney played great in relief of Jason Croom and Dawson Knox and you can’t make the team from the training room, something Croom learns the hard way.

Cuts: Kyle Carter, Jason Croom, Nate Becker, Keith Towbridge
Changes since training camp: Tommy Sweeney in, Jason Croom out

Offensive Line (8)

Ike Boettger
Dion Dawkins
Jon Feliciano
Cody Ford
Spencer Long
Mitch Morse
Ty Nsehke
Quinton Spain

What a crazy trip this has been for the o-line and I’m not convinced it’s set. LaAdrian Waddle can’t be the swing tackle now that he’s hurt. The team traded one of last year’s starters in Wyatt Teller. The starting line looks like Dawkins-Spain-Morse-Ford/Feliciano-Nsehke. Ike Boettger sneaks in at the last OL because he can play a bunch of positions, but I think this is where they look to the waiver wire.

Cuts: Ryan Bates, Russell Bodine, Jarron Jones, Garrett McGhin, Conor McDermott
Changes since training camp: LaAdrian Waddle to IR, Ike Boettger in

Defensive End (4)

Jerry Hughes
Darryl Johnson
Shaq Lawson
Trent Murphy

Darryl Johnson had a heckuva camp and preseason and with the injury to Mike Love, they only keep four. Eddie Yarbrough had a good fourth preseason game, but it’s not enough.

Cuts: Sam Acho, Jeff Holland, Eddie Yarbrough,
Changes since training camp: Mike Love to IR

Defensive Tackle (4)

Star Lotulelei
Ed Oliver
Harrison Phillips
Jordan Phillips

What a solid-looking group, huh? There will be a PSer at DT, too.

Cuts: Kyle Peko, Robert Thomas, L.T. Walton, Roederick Young
Changes since training camp: None

Linebacker (6)

Lorenzo Alexander
Maurice Alexander
Tremaine Edmunds
Vosean Joseph
Matt Milano
Julian Stanford

Maurice Alexander is my last player in. Special teams and coverage ability give him a leg up. Deon Lacey did not play well enough down the stretch to make the team.

Cuts: Juwan Foggie, Corey Thompson, Tyrel Dodson, Deon Lacey
Change since training camp: Deon Lacey out

Cornerback (6)

Kevin Johnson
Taron Johnson
Captain Munnerlyn
Lafeyette Pitts
Levi Wallace
Tre’Davious White

There is a ton of talent and starting experience in this group. Pitts is a special teams add and with the Bills constantly dealing with injuries at CB, he could be in the lineup.

Cuts: Ryan Lewis, Cam Lewis, Denzel Rice
Change since training camp: Captain Munerlyn in, E.J. Gaines to IR

Safety (6)

Kurt Coleman
Micah Hyde
Jaquan Johnson
Dean Marlowe
Siran Neal
Jordan Poyer

What a solid safety group. They won’t dress all six, but they have solid depth at safety, which they were lacking.

Cuts: Abraham Wallace
Changes since training camp: Siran Neal in

Specialists (2)

Blank Space (Punter)
Reid Ferguson (Snapper)
Stephen Hauschka (Kicker)

Buffalo is going to add a punter on the waiver wire or in free agency.

Cuts: Chase McLaughlin, Corey Bojorquez
Change since offseason workouts: Cory Carter to IR

Practice-squad priorities from roster cuts:

QB Tyree Jackson
RB Christian Wade (International Player Pathway)
WR Nick Easley
CB Cam Lewis
DT Kyle Peko
OL Ryan Bates
TE Jason Croom
WR David Sills