Buffalo Bills’ pre-free agency depth chart, 2020

The Buffalo Bills enter the 2020 offseason with many holes on their roster. As the free-agency legal-tampering window gets under way this Monday, here is where the Bills’ roster stands:

Note: Players are listed in alphabetical order in the body of the article but an unofficial depth chart appears at the end of the article.

Quarterback

Josh Allen
Matt Barkley
Davis Webb

This position would seem to be mostly set with the “franchise quarterback” and veteran backup. They also have a depth option, but could still bring in someone to compete with Barkley or supplant Webb as the third QB. At a minimum, they will likely bring in a fourth quarterback at some point for minicamp or training camp.

Running Back

Patrick DiMarco
Devin Singletary
Christian Wade
T.J. Yeldon

There are a lot of folks who would like to see Wade get a shot at the active roster, but it’s a long shot. Buffalo is likely in the market for a starting-type running back in free agency or the draft to pair with Singletary. Yeldon is JAG (just a guy) and could be their third running back or off the roster by the time training camp rolls around.

Wide Receiver

Cole Beasley
John Brown
Nick Easley
Robert Foster
Ray-Ray McCloud III
Andre Roberts
Duke Williams

For the second straight year, the Bills are probably going to add some top-flight talent to the wide receiver room, though it’s more likely to come in the draft than free agency. What are their long-term plans for Williams and Foster?

Tight End

Nate Becker
Jason Croom
Dawson Knox
Tyler Kroft
Lee Smith
Tommy Sweeney

Croom was literally the only name on the list at this point last year, but the Bills have built solid depth and could just stay status quo in 2020.

Interior O-line

Ike Boettger
Jon Feliciano
Spencer Long
Mitch Morse
Quinton Spain

Buffalo added a bunch of players here last offseason, as well. Spain played well enough to garner a contract extension and the top five are all in place heading from 2019 into 2020.

Offensive tackle

Ryan Bates
Dion Dawkins
Cody Ford
Ty Nsekhe

Dawkins solidified himself as the starting left tackle last year after a shaky 2018. Ford, drafted in the second round last year, still has work to do to be an NFL-caliber tackle but could shift inside to guard and be elite. Nsekhe is old while Bates is green. This whole position could be overhauled or completely left alone.

Defensive End

Jerry Hughes
Darryl Johnson Jr.
Mike Love
Trent Murphy
Jonathan Woodard

The Bills really need to address this group with the departure of Shaq Lawson and the underwhelming play of Murphy. Add in Hughes’s advancing age and the draft is a perfect place to improve. Don’t discount a big free-agent signing, though.

Defensive Tackle

Star Lotulelei
Ed Oliver
Harrison Phillips
Vincent Taylor

After losing Jordan Phillips, the Bills will need a rotational 3-tech DT to play behind Oliver, their 2019 first-round pick. Lotulelei agreed to a pay cut in order to stick in 2020 and Harrison Phillips is returning from injury. It’s a position group where we expect some action.

Linebacker

Tyrel Dodson
Tremaine Edmunds
Vosean Joseph
Matt Milano
Del’Shawn Phillips
Corey Thompson

The loss of Alexander means Buffalo will be in the market for some kind of player at the linebacker position—we’re just not sure how much of a priority it’s going to be. This is where Buffalo likes to stockpile back-end-of-the-roster free agents and special teamers, so look for players in the second wave of free agency at this position unless they pursue an Alexander replacement early.

Cornerback

Taron Johnson
Cam Lewis
Josh Norman *
Levi Wallace
Tre’Davious White

The Bills already added Norman, who was released by Washington, to compete for the CB2 job. This is another position Buffalo likes to stockpile, so don’t be surprised if they add another cornerback with starting experience but question marks to create a three-way race with Norman and Wallace. Johnson, the nickel cornerback, just received a boost in the coaching department as the team added a dedicated nickel coach.

Safety

Micah Hyde
Jaquan Johnson
Siran Neal
Jordan Poyer

The Bills have been quick to add veteran depth over the last several offseasons, but not early on in free agency. With Neal playing mostly in the slot as the Big Nickel, they’ll likely add a pair of safeties this offseason.

Specialists

Corey Bojorquez (punter)
Reid Ferguson (long snapper)
Stephen Hauschka (kicker)
Kaare Vedvik (punter/kicker)

The Bills are going to have a Kaare/Corey battle at punter, it would seem. Vedvik bombed in his regular-season placekicking role and is presumably shifting back to punter. Hauschka rebounded for a decent 2019 season.

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Unofficial depth chart

With 56 players on the roster, Buffalo has room to add 36 more to the roster between free agency, the NFL Draft, and undrafted free agents. (They are allowed 91 players due to Christian Wade’s International Player Pathway exemption.) Upgrades, replacements, and a whole lot more depth is coming.