Bills 53-Man Roster Projection: Likely 4-5 Positions Up for Grabs

It’s never too early to take a hard look at the Bills current 90-man roster and try to decipher who’s in, who’s on the bubble and who won’t make the cut for the Bills final 53, which will be announced on August 29^th.

As it stands right now, over 90% of the final 53 are locks. However, there are 4-5 positions up for grabs. Here’s a position-by-position look at the locks, players on the bubble and players who’ll likely go to the practice squad or be cut.

Quarterback

The quarterback room was decided the day the Bills signed Kyle Allen. Josh Allen and Kyle Allen are 53-man locks and Matt Barkley will serve on the practice squad.

Locks for 53: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen

Practice Squad: Matt Barkley

Josh Allen connecting to Diggs then to Davis. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/qJPuxF68SN

— Built in Buffalo (@BuiltInBuffalo_) August 1, 2023

Running Back

James Cook, Damien Harris and full back Reggie Gilliam (he’s actually been practicing with the tight ends) are locks to make this Bills team. When Nyheim Hines was put on the season ending IR, it cleared a path for veteran Latavius Murray to make the 53-man roster.

Locks for 53: James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray, Reggie Gilliam

Practice Squad or Cut: Jordan Mims, Darrynton Evans

Wide Receiver

The Bills will probably carry six wide receivers. Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield and Khalil Shakir are locks. The sixth slot will probably go to rookie Justin Shorter, but there is a crop of seven other hungry wide receivers looking to make this a tough competition.

Locks for 53: Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield, Khalil Shakir

On the Bubble: Justin Shorter

Practice Squad or Cut: Dezmon Patton, Keesean Johnson, Isaiah Coulter, Bryan Thompson, Tyrell Shavers, Marcell Ateman, Andy Isabella

We don't talk enough about how big Latavius Murray is#Bills pic.twitter.com/e1lVNkdQKH

— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) July 31, 2023

Tight End

Odds are, the Bills will carry three tight ends with Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid being locks. Quintin Morris was once thought to be a lock for the number three spot, but Jace Sternberger has been impressive during camp.

Locks for 53: Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid

On the Bubble: Quintin Morris, Jace Sternberger

Practice Squad or Cut: Joel Wilson

Offensive Line

Although the starting five lineman aren’t in concrete yet, we know that Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse, Ryan Bates, O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards and Spencer Brown are locks to make the squad. David Quessenberry and Brandon Shell have been the starting second-string tackles throughout camp so far and with the unsteady play of Spencer Brown, you’d think Quessenberry and Shell would be a part of the 53-man roster as well. The Bills will likely keep 10 offensive linemen.

Locks for 53: Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse, Ryan Bates, O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards, Spencer Brown, David Quessenberry, Brandon Shell

On the Bubble: Ike Boettger, Tommy Doyle

Practice Squad or Cut: Greg Mancz, Ryan Van Denmark, Nick Broeker, Alec Anderson, Kevin Jarvis, Richard Gouraige

The Buffalo Bills new guard OCyrus Torrence has never allowed a sack in college and had zero penalities last year. Also, he's massive. pic.twitter.com/vqZNUFCUyx

— 7️⃣1️⃣6️⃣ TJ (@TJDMCR) April 29, 2023

Defensive End/Edge

If Von Miller isn’t ready to go Week 1, the Bills will more than likely start Greg Rousseau and Leonard Floyd with AJ Epenesa and Shaq Lawson backing them up.  The Bills ran with five defensive ends last season, so if Miller is on the IR, they’d have some decisions to make.  Boogie Basham will either be the fifth man or be traded.  If Boogie’s gone, look for camp darlings Shane Ray or Kingsley Jonathan to be elevated to the fifth EDGE slot.

Locks for 53: Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, Leonard Floyd, AJ Epenesa, Shaq Lawson

On the Bubble: Boogie Basham, Kingsley Jonathan, Shane Ray

Practice Squad or Cut: Kameron Cline

Defensive Tackle

The Bills ran with five defensive tackles last season and there are currently four clear-cut players to make the squad. Jordan Phillips health has been a concern in the recent past and he may be on the bubble for the fifth spot.

Locks for 53: Ed Oliver, Daquan Jones, Poona Ford, Tim Settle

On the Bubble: Jordan Phillips

Practice Squad or Cut: Eli Ankou, Cortez Broughton, DJ Dale, Kendal Vickers

The big boys were excited to get after it in pads today. Ed Oliver has had moments when he’s been dominant early in camp, while Poona Ford has popped and DaQuan Jones has remained a steady force. Tim Settle has surprised, while on the outside, Greg Rousseau has been a force. pic.twitter.com/wKE9IrZUtG

— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) August 1, 2023

Linebackers

One of the biggest position battles headed into the training camp has been for the starting middle linebacker spot. Currently, Terrel Bernard has the edge over Tyrel Dodson with Baylon Spector also in the hunt. Last year, the Bills kept six linebackers and may very well do so this season also as they depend on Tyler Matakevich solely as a special teams player. AJ Klein likely will not make the 53-man, but the coaching staff appreciates his locker room leadership, so it’s possible he’ll be on the practice squad.

Locks for 53: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Tyrel Dodson, Dorean Williams, Tyler Matakevich, Baylon Spector

On the Bubble: AJ Klein

Practice Squad or Cut: Travin Howard

Cornerback

Another popular position battle this summer has been the CB2 spot. If the season started today, it looks like Dane Jackson has the edge over Kaiir Elam with Christan Benford also in the mix. The Bills value Siran Neal for for his special teams play and if they carry six cornerbacks, he’ll likely make the cut.

Locks for 53: Tre White, Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Christian Benford, Siran Neal

On the Bubble: Alex Austin

Practice Squad or Cut: Ja’Marcus Ingram, Kyron Brown

A little work with the defensive backs and DBs coach John Butler. Butler said earlier today that the Bills could open the season working a platoon at CB. Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford battling for the CB2 role. pic.twitter.com/7fR1XkioB9

— alex brasky (@alexbrasky) August 1, 2023

Safety

It will be interesting to see how the Bills roll out the safety position this season. With the addition of Taylor Rapp, they may have the deepest safety position in the NFL. Will the team elect to go with four safeties again? If so, the fourth spot will likely go to either Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis or Dean Marlowe.

Locks for 53: Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Taylor Rapp

On the Bubble: Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis, Dean Marlow

Practice Squad or Cut: Zayne Anderson, Jared Mayden

Special Teams

The Bills have three clear cut locks on their special teams.

Locks for 53: Tyler Bass, Sam Martin, Reid Ferguson