Bills final 53-man roster projection: Does local fan favorite LB make squad? (2024)

The Buffalo Bills have until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27 to finalize their roster. Buffalo has already started trimming their roster down to 53 players ahead of the deadline, but some tough decisions loom for GM Brandon Beane.

Many players made their case for a roster spot between training camp and the preseason. Now with both in the books, all those players can do between now and tomorrow is wait things out. Here is a last projection on how things shake out.

QB: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky (2)

Cut: Ben DiNucci

Despite a knee injury suffered in Buffalo’s preseason matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bills head coach Sean McDermott sounded hopeful that Mitch Trubisky would be healthy enough to serve as Josh Allen’s backup in Week 1. Trubisky has been wearing a brace and had a noticeable limp so Buffalo could be forced to change things up if he’s not healthy enough to backup Allen to start the season.

RB/FB: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam (4)

Cut: Frank Gore Jr., Darrynton Evans

Gore and Evans both found the end zone in Buffalo’s preseason finale, but the running back position seems set for the Bills.

If neither player gets claimed, Buffalo could look to add both to their practice squad. Gore Jr. proved he is worth keeping around to develop following his 100-yard day on the ground and Evans’ speed and return ability make him a potential asset to Buffalo if any injuries were to occur in-season.

WR: Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel Jr., Mack Hollins, Keon Coleman, Tyrell Shavers, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (6)

Cut: KJ Hamler, Andy Isabella, Justin Shorter, Deon Cain, Xavier Johnson

Between Tyrell Shavers’ training camp and preseason, the former UDFA makes the roster. Shavers should have had a touchdown in the loss in the preseason finale against the Panthers, but the route he ran to get open alone should earn him points with the front office when making their final decisions.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling (MVS) claims the final wide receiver job despite having a quiet summer.

KJ Hamler was a tough cut due to his return ability and versatility, but he should be considered a priority practice squad addition for Buffalo. The same cannot be said for Justin Shorter, a draft pick just one year ago. Shorter had every opportunity to earn a roster spot this summer, but he failed to stand out.

TE: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris (3)

Cut: Zach Davidson, Tre’ McKitty

Zach Davidson had a fantastic training camp but he was never able to pull away from Quintin Morris. Morris, the team’s No. 3 tight end, had a strong summer in his own right and his special teams ability gives him the nod over Davidson. Morris is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. If he’s not able to play early in the season, Davidson could crack the roster. If Davidson clears waivers, the tight end is a no-brainer for the practice squad.

OL: Dion Dawkins, David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Tylan Grable, Richard Gouraige (10)

Cut: La’el Collins, Will Clapp, Gunner Britton, Keaton Bills, Mike Edwards

Exempt practice squad: Travis Clayton

The final spot on the 53-man roster among the offensive linemen came down to Richard Gouraige, La’el Collins and Will Clapp. Collins had an up-and-down summer but started flashing in the preseason. That may be enough to earn him a roster spot in Buffalo, but his lack of versatility stands out. Collins struggled mightily at tackle this summer and is a pure guard at this point in his career.

Will Clapp has the versatility that Collins lacks. He can play all three interior spots, but the veteran is dealing with a concussion.

That opens the door for Richard Gouraige to potentially claim the final spot on the offensive line. Gouraige is younger (25) than both Collins (31) and Clapp (28). In addition to going with youth for the final spot, Gouraige performed well in the preseason for the second straight year and has the versatility to play both at tackle and guard.

DL: Greg Rousseau, Von Miller, A.J. Epenesa, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, DeWayne Carter (9)

Cut: Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill, Kameron Cline, DeShawn Williams, Eli Ankou, Gable Steveson, Branson Deen

Kingsley Jonathan and Casey Toohill are both good enough to be on a 53-man roster somewhere in the league. If the Bills were to pull off a pre-cutdown trade, don’t be surprised if Jonathan or Toohill are part of the deal.

At defensive tackle, the Bills roll with four players to start the year. DeShawn Williams had his moments but did not do enough this summer to carve out a roster spot. A few of the released defensive tackles could find their way to Buffalo’s practice squad when all is said and done.

LB: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Nicholas Morrow, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Joe Andreessen (5)

Cut: None

IR: Matt Milano, Baylon Spector

The Bills could add to their linebacker room after seeing who is available after cuts, but based on their current roster this is what the linebacker room looks like after cutdowns.

Fans are hoping to see Joe Andreessen, known as “Buffalo Joe” by his teammates, make the final roster. Andreessen makes the cut here based on his instincts and ability to stop the run. Andreessen needs to work on the coverage part of his game to stay in the league long-term, but he did enough this summer to show he’s worth keeping on the initial roster.

Nicholas Morrow has missed time with injury (core/groin) but has been ramping back up with the regular season looming. His experience at linebacker and special teams ability earns him a roster spot. Ulofoshio, a 2024 draft pick, has the athleticism to grow into a regular linebacker role but will start the season contributing on special teams.

DB: Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Daequan Hardy, Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis (11)

Cut: Te’Cory Couch, KenI-H Lovely, Kareem Jackson, Kendall Williamson

No surprises here.

Buffalo’s starters at cornerback are in place. Kaiir Elam and Ja’Marcus Ingram, after strong summers, serve as outside depth at cornerback while Daequan Hardy serves as Taron Johnson’s backup on defense and handles return duties.

Who starts opposite Taylor Rapp is still a mystery, but Cole Bishop and Mike Edwards are both trending toward being ready for Week 1. Damar Hamlin could also still be in the mix for that job while Cam Lewis’ ability to play at both cornerback and safety lands him a roster spot.

ST: Tyler Bass, Sam Martin, Reid Ferguson (3)

Cut: None

The punter competition ended early this summer so there is little drama on special teams. Reid Ferguson could still go through his yearly get cut and sit in the parking lot handshake deal if the Bills need to add a player onto the initial roster and then move them to the injured reserve beyond their two cutdown IR spots, but either way this will be Buffalo’s special teams unit to start the year.

The only thing to potentially keep an eye on with special teams is if the team adds a kicker or punter to their practice squad.