Here is Sal Maiorana's latest look at how the Buffalo Bills depth chart is shaping up and who he thinks will make the 53-man roster.
ORCHARD PARK - Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane won’t be making any decisions after one preseason game, but the Buffalo Bills’ 34-25 loss to the New York Giants likely planted a few thoughts - some positive, some negative - in their heads about a few of the on-the-bubble players.
Based on what I saw Saturday at Highmark Stadium, I have updated my 53-man projection and there are a couple changes from the one I put together at the start of training camp.
Buffalo Bills depth chart predictions
Quarterbacks
- Starter: Josh Allen
- Backups: Mitchell Trubisky
- What to know: Both Trubisky and Mike White had nice days against the Giants. I gave White a slight edge during the St. John Fisher portion of camp, but I liked the way Trubisky operated with the starting unit in the game. He started slow but finished the first half strong, and he would have had a better day if not for a couple key dropped passes.
Running back
- Starter: James Cook
- Backups: Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
- What to know: Cook continues to stay away because of his contract, and right now that's fine because Davis needs the work. Outside of the extra point he made, it was not a great day for him on the ground and he needs to be better, especially if he shoulders a bigger burden should the Cook hold in extend much longer. Johnson looked very good on his three rush attempts, and Gilliam made a nice 19-yard pass reception.
Wide receivers
- Starters: Khali Shakir, Josh Palmer, Keon Coleman
- Backups: Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers, Laviska Shenault
- What to know: This is very fluid but right now, it's tough to keep Shavers off the team. The spot I have him taking is Elijah Moore's. Moore has been very quiet the last week or so and was invisible in the game. And Shenault caught a two-point conversion and had two kickoff returns for 62 yards and a punt return for seven yards. If he can lock down the return job, he has more value than Moore.
Tight end
- Starter: Dalton Kincaid
- Backups: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
- What to know: Hawes had a bad dropped pass, but he was very good as a blocker and that's what he was drafted to do. The Bills' No. 3 tight end has to be a proficient blocker and Hawes has a big advantage over Davidson. And it didn't help that Davidson also dropped two passes including one that could have gone for a big gain.
Interior offensive line
- Starters: Connor McGovern (C), David Edwards (LG), O’Cyrus Torrence (RG)
- Backups: Alec Anderson (G), Kendrick Green (G-C)
- What to know: We have not seen Sedrick Van Pran-Granger the entire training camp, so my projection is that he'll start the season on injured reserve which opens a spot for Green. Anderson is also currently sidelined, so his roster spot for Week 1 is tenuous, though I think he'll get back soon.
Offensive tackle
- Starters: Dion Dawkins (LT), Spencer Brown (RT)
- Backups: Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt
- What to know: It was too bad that Grable missed the game while in concussion protocol because the Bills need to see him in the competition with Lundt and Ryan Van Demark. Van Demark started for Brown and held up OK, while Lundt got some work at LT, though the Bills are also considering him as a backup guard which may be his better fit in the NFL.
Cornerbacks
- Starters: Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson (NCB)
- Backups: Maxwell Hairston, Cam Lewis (NCB), Dorian Strong
- What to know: Dane Jackson got beat one-on-one for a touchdown which certainly didn't enhance his chances. I think the last spot comes down to him, Strong and Ja'Marcus Ingram. Strong is a rookie draft pick who the Bills won't want to give up on. Yes, they could stick with the veteran and hope to get Strong on the practice squad, but that's a risk. And Ingram was a nice depth player and special teams contributor last season who is probably at least Jackson's equal as a corner. Also on the periphery is Te'Cory Couch who made a couple pass breakups in the game.
Safeties
- Starters: Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop
- Backups: Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock, Darrick Forrest
- What to know: The Bills may only keep four, but for now I'm giving Forrest a spot on the team. He's a very good athlete who has flown under the radar so far and the Bills could use a veteran back there. Hancock played much more safety than nickel in the game, and he made an interception, even though it was wiped out by a penalty. His versatility really helps his cause, something Forrest doesn't have.
Linebackers
- Starters: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard
- Backups: Dorian Williams, Shaq Thompson, Joe Andreessen
- What to know: Even though Thompson is sidelined, I just haven't seen enough from Edefuan Ulofoshio to warrant a roster spot over an accomplished vet like Thompson. Now, if Thompson's injury lingers, sure, the Bills may go with the younger player, but for now, I'm cutting Ulofoshio and trying to get him back on the practice squad.
Defensive tackle
- Starters: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones
- Backups: TJ Sanders, DeWayne Carter, Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi (suspended six games)
- What to know: Both Sanders and Walker had very nice performances in their NFL debuts. Walker had a deflected pass and Sanders had two QB hits and both held up in the run game. Carter was in on two tackles but he needs to be better on a down-to-down basis. Zion Logue is stout against the run, but he gives the Bills nothing as a pass rusher.
Edge rusher
- Starters: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau
- Backups: AJ Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Michael Hoecht (suspended six games)
- What to know: Watching Hoecht play, it's easy to see how much the Bills are losing out on while he serves his suspension. He was probably the best player on defense against the Giants with a couple pressures and a tipped pass. Jackson had a tough day, while perhaps his main competition, Solomon, had a QB hit and a tipped pass.
Special teams
- Starter: Tyler Bass (K), Brad Robbins (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
- Backups: None
- What to know: Robbins had a nice debut as he averaged 53 yards per punt (42 net) and had three downed inside the 20. With Bass out, the Bills gave Ray Davis a look as an emergency kicker and he made an extra point.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for four decades including 35 years as the full-time beat writer for the D&C, he has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bills depth chart projection 3.0: Which WR is at risk of being cut?
Category: General Sports
