The most difficult week in football is almost over.
Quarterback (2)
Keep: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen
Practice squad: Shane Buechele
After what was a reported to be a stinky start to his offseason, Kyle Allen has seriously taken a step up and solidified himself as the backup behind Josh Allen.
After a 10/12 passing day against Cleveland, with a near-perfect 138.9 passer rating, Allen was promptly benched for the entirety of the Bills’ third preseason game.
Sure, Kyle Allen isn’t the sexiest name in the world when it comes to backups, but there are a lot more important things to complain about.
Buechele will land on the practice squad.
Running back (3)
Keep: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
Practice squad: Frank Gore Jr.
Cut: Ian Wheeler
Both Ian Wheeler and Frank Gore Jr. were the Bills’ preseason darlings this time around, with both garnering some much-deserved attention…
The downside for both players is the mighty depth of the Bills’ running back room, already making it nearly impossible to make this roster.
Between Gore and Wheeler, Frank Gore Jr. has the higher upside as both a receiving back and in pass protection, along with his knowledge of the scheme, having been here for three seasons already.
That, to me, is enough to warrant another practice squad gig for the vet.
Fullback (1)
Keep: Ben VanSumeren
The Bills already showed their hand at fullback when they decided to release Jackson Acker several weeks ago, solidifying VanSumeren as their starter.
I highly doubt the Bills roll with no fullback after the production they’ve gotten in a power-run scheme over the last few seasons.
Wide receiver (6)
Keep: DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Skyler Bell, Trent Sherfield
Practice squad: Mecole Hardman Jr., Dante Pettis, Ja’Mori Maclin
PUP list: Tyrell Shavers
Cut: Stephen Gosnell, Quentin Skinner, Max Tomczak
The top five receivers on this roster were always locks, and the question really came down to Trent Sherfield and Mecole Hardman Jr.
Hardman Jr. had nothing short of a disaster of a preseason, with frequent drops on schemed plays and pedestrian numbers as a punt returner.
Sherfield provides more versatility for his role on the depth chart. He can slot in as an above-average gunner and still has the burst needed to get open downfield.
Though, when Shavers comes back… expect Sherfield to be gone.
Tight end (3)
Keep: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
Practice squad: Keleki Latu
Cut: Shane Zylstra
A rather unsurprising room here.
Keleki Latu will certainly get a look at the practice squad once again. I really like his game; his receiving ability isn’t talked about enough.
Offensive line (8)
Keep: Dion Dawkins, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry, Tylan Grable
IR: Jude Bowry
Practice squad: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Chase Lundt, Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Nick Broeker
Cut: Da’Metrius Weatherspoon, Bruno Fina, Sincere Haynesworth
Both Austin Corbett and Lloyd Cushenberry received little playing time in the last two preseason games, which solidifies their safety.
Former fifth-round pick Sedrick Van Pran-Granger is in a weird spot with the depth above him. While I believe many teams would be able to find a spot for the center, I think the Bills just simply don’t have room.
I think they find a way to move him first.
Tylan Grable will be the swing tackle this season, taking over Alec Anderson’s role.
2026 fourth-round pick Jude Bowry is a prime IR candidate after being seen in a walking boot on Monday.
Interior defensive line (6)
Keep: Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, Zane Durant, Greg Gaines
Suspended: Phidarian Mathis
Practice squad: DeWayne Carter, Zion Logue
Cut: Travis Clayton
DeWayne Carter bulked up this offseason to attack a new nose tackle role, which was a rather confusing decision when considering his smaller frame.
Unfortunately, this weight change did not help Carter’s play.
Recording four tackles in three games with considerable playing time just isn’t gonna do it, especially with Mathis and Gaines showing glimpses of impact in fewer snaps.
The former third-round pick will likely find his way onto the practice squad, as I see little interest occurring on the waiver wire.
Just an all-around disaster of an offseason for the third-year lineman.
Edge (6)
Keep: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, TJ Parker, Michael Hoecht, Mike Danna, Javon Solomon
Practice squad: Andre Jones Jr.
Cut: Cade Denhoff
Both Javon Solomon and Mike Danna exceeded all expectations that were had in preseason, with Danna recording an impressive two sacks and three tackles for loss, and Solomon recording eight tackles in only two games.
Linebacker (4)
Keep: Terrel Bernard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen
Practice squad: Keonta Jenkins
Cut: Jimmy Ciarlo, Theron Gaines, Otis Reese IV
The linebacker room certainly has questionable depth (that may need to be addressed at the deadline), but the top four players on this team were solidified from the get-go.
Keonta Jenkins really flashed this preseason, showcasing an aggressive approach that not many backers on this roster have.
It really hurt to let him go to the practice squad, but this is the time of year for tough decisions.
Cornerback (6)
Keep: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Dee Alford, Davison Igbinosun, Kani Walker, Jordan Hancock
Practice squad: Toriano Pride Jr., Te’Cory Couch
Cut: Jordan Dunbar, D.J. Miller, Anthony Kendall
Kani Walker was the biggest shock of the preseason for the Bills, essentially ripping a roster spot right out of Brandon Beane’s hands.
Walker is a guy to watch…the Bills have had plenty of success developing low-capital corners.
Safety (5)
Keep: Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Damar Hamlin, Jalon Kilgore, Sam Franklin Jr.
Cut: Geno Stone, Wande Owens
Geno Stone was essentially a roster lock to begin this offseason because of his vast experience as a starter on the Bengals.
That quickly flipped as soon as the pads were thrown on.
Stone was dreadful in coverage, being caught with his hands in his pockets numerous times throughout the Browns matchup. You just cannot roster a player that lost.
It can be argued that Damar Hamlin is the luckiest human of all time when on a football field, but interceptions in back-to-back weeks stamped his roster spot for another year.
Special teams (3)
Keep: Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr., Reid Ferguson
Cut: Mitch Wishnowsky
Doman solidified his roster spot after a shaky performance from Wishnowsky against the Steelers.
And whether you like it or not, Tyler Bass is the Bills’ kicker in 2026.
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