/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45790200/GettyImages_459536724.0.jpg)
NFL depth charts can be manipulated in many different ways to look either loaded or dire, and we're taking the latter approach in building a Buffalo Bills depth chart prior to the start of the 2015 NFL offseason, which kicks into high gear next Tuesday with the start of free agency.
The purpose of the depth chart you see below is to strip the roster down to its functional core. As such, we have removed the following player types from the chart:
- Bills free agents (UFA, RFA, ERFA)
- Players who did not have significant roles in 2014, excepting recent draft picks
You're left, as a general rule, with the team's stars, starters, key role players, and most prominent developmental projects. Everyone has a pretty good idea, at this point, who the top Bills free agents are. Does a different look at the depth chart change your perspective on what needs should be addressed first?
Pos. | # | Starter | # | Backup | # | Reserve |
WR | 10 | Robert Woods | 88 | Marquise Goodwin | ||
LT | 77 | Cordy Glenn | ||||
LG | Richie Incognito | 74 | Chris Williams | |||
C | 70 | Eric Wood | ||||
RG | 60 | Kraig Urbik | 68 | Cyril Richardson | ||
RT | 66 | Seantrel Henderson | 71 | Cyrus Kouandjio | ||
TE | 84 | Scott Chandler | 89 | Chris Gragg | ||
WR | 14 | Sammy Watkins | ||||
QB | 3 | EJ Manuel | ||||
TE | 48 | MarQueis Gray | ||||
RB | 22 | Fred Jackson | 26 | Anthony Dixon | 35 | Bryce Brown |
Pos. | # | Starter | # | Backup | # | Reserve |
DE | 96 | Stefan Charles | ||||
DT | 95 | Kyle Williams | ||||
NT | 99 | Marcell Dareus | ||||
RE | 94 | Mario Williams | ||||
SLB | 91 | Manny Lawson | 58 | Randell Johnson | ||
MLB | 52 | Preston Brown | 57 | Ty Powell | ||
WLB | 50 | Kiko Alonso | 53 | Nigel Bradham | ||
CB | 21 | Leodis McKelvin | 37 | Nickell Robey | 29 | Ross Cockrell |
S | 23 | Aaron Williams | ||||
S | 27 | Duke Williams | 30 | Bacarri Rambo | ||
CB | 24 | Stephon Gilmore | 20 | Corey Graham | 33 | Ron Brooks |
Pos. | # | Starter | # | Backup | # | Reserve |
K | 2 | Dan Carpenter | ||||
P | 6 | Colton Schmidt | ||||
LS | 65 | Garrison Sanborn |