Training camp is still three months away, but those planning to attend may want to start studying the Buffalo Bills roster now. Even when August hits, it still might be wise to carry a flip card to St. John Fisher College.
Even Bills coaches might be calling out players by number when the first minicamp practice arrives May 20. Of the 74 players signed to the roster — including the 10 rookies taken in the NFL draft who are not actually signed yet — 22 of them weren’t part of the Bills in any capacity last year.
One of the most stable rosters in the NFL was turned upside down, shaken and flipped back over during the offseason. There are still 16 spots left to be filled by undrafted free agents before training camp, but there’s an infusion of new blood that could create intrigue Buffalo hasn’t been accustomed to over the last few years.
For most of the previous four seasons, there hasn’t been much mystery about who would make the final roster. Perhaps a few position battles here and there, but nothing drastic.
The Bills possessed so much depth that six draft picks didn’t make the final roster from 2020-2023, as they averaged 13.8 new players per year. Only two undrafted rookie free agents — Reggie Gilliam and Quintin Morris made the roster during that time.
With so much roster turnover, a 10-man rookie class and salary cap restraints, this could be the year for competition and maybe even an undrafted rookie to make the 53-man roster. Of the 11 free agent signings this year, nine inked one-year deals worth fewer than $3 million, so they might not even be safe.
“We’re really excited about the guys we got,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane said after the draft. “Hit some different positions and we feel like we’ve really added some depth and some competition and should make for some good battles.”
Wide receiver: The position of scrutiny this offseason, the Bills have at least one receiver spot up for grabs, potentially two after six made the initial 53-man roster last year. Justin Shorter is the frontrunner for the fifth receiver spot after making the 53 as a fifth-round pick last year, only to injure his hamstring and spend the entire season on injured reserve.
Buffalo signed Quintez Cephus this week, but he hasn’t played in more than a year. K.J. Hamler was a second-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, but a torn ACL and a hamstring injury limited him to 23 games in three seasons before spending last year on the Colts’ practice squad.
Andy Isabella and Tyrell Shavers signed futures contracts after being assigned to the practice squad. The Bills like both, but have a long way to go in making the final roster.
Making the roster: Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir.
Offensive tackle: The Bills are likely looking at three players for two spots. Odds say La’el Collins and Ryan Van Demark are the favorites because Tommy Doyle has had major surgery on both legs that has limited him to two games in two years.
Collins has 86 starts in 89 games, but tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 of 22, wasn’t ready for the start of last season and was released by the Bengals before signing with the Cowboys’ practice squad late in the year. Van Demark made the roster outright, but didn’t see a lot of action last year as Buffalo used the same starting five in every game.
Rookie sixth-round pick Tylan Grable might be in the mix, but seems to be more of a project for the Bills and could land on the practice squad.
Making the roster: Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins.
Guard/Center: The Bills signed Will Clapp for depth at guard and center with Connor McGovern moving to center and David Edwards shifting from backup to left guard. Alec Anderson can play four of five spots on the line and made the roster outright last year, but was never active in a game.
Anderson’s versatility may give him the edge, but going without a veteran center on the roster might be risky.
Making the roster: David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger.
Defensive end: The Bills carried six defensive ends last season, but Leonard Floyd bolted for San Francisco and Shaq Lawson is still a free agent. It seems unlikely they roll with six again, but five might be the magic number and it could depend on whether the Bills go with upside over experience.
The Bills signed Casey Toohill in free agency, but he’s making the veteran minimum seven sacks in four years, with five coming last year with the Commanders. Kingsley Jonathan made the final roster last season and was active in 13 games, seeing most of his snaps on special teams.
Javon Solomon was taken in the fifth round this year after leading the FBS with 16 sacks at Troy. Right now he’s a pass-rush specialist, so his future depends on whether he can play special teams.
Making the roster: A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Greg Rousseau.
Linebacker: Baylon Spector, a 2022 seventh-round pick, has battled a bad hamstring for most of last season. He finally got a crack at the starting job at middle linebacker in training camp, slipped down the depth chart and then hurt his hamstring in the final preseason game.
Rookie fifth-round pick Edefuan Olofoshio can add immediate special teams help and may have the edge in this race, considering Spector’s injury history and Buffalo’s typical desire to be light at linebacker.
Making the roster: Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Nicholas Morrow, Dorian Williams.
Cornerback: The Bills like to carry a lot of cornerbacks and with Siran Neal gone, there’s an opening for a player who can play outside, in the slot and on special teams. Neal was active last season over Elam due to special teams and Cam Lewis is usually the backup slot corner and safety.
Rookie Daequan Hardy is a slot corner and adds value as a returner, particularly since the Bills don’t seem to have an obvious choice with the new kickoff rules. But Beane mentioned Ja’Marcus Ingram specifically when asked about his cornerbacks before the draft.
He was active in one game last year and spent the rest of the time on the practice squad. The Buffalo graduate can play outside, but started working in the slot during training camp and the Bills love versatility.
Making the roster: Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Cam Lewis.
Punter: This one is intriguing because Matt Haack lost his job to Matt Araiza in training camp 2022 and Sam Martin was signed when Araiza was released. Martin has been relatively steady for two seasons, but the Bills signed Haack to the practice squad when Martin injured his hamstring late in the year and then re-signed him after the season.
One would imagine it’s Martin’s job to lose, but the Bills clearly wanted competition.