Buffalo Bills coach Sean McDermott walked off the field at Raymond James Stadium with a sense of relief after a 23-19 preseason win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a clear step up from the 38-0 loss to Chicago a week earlier. Yet the coach also reminded everyone that the real work begins now, as Buffalo enters the brutal 53-man roster cut process.
“Yeah, it’s brutal. It’s brutal,” McDermott said, acknowledging the challenge of trimming a roster that still features players they’d love to keep. “We owe them to take our time and make sure we get this right, not only for the benefit of our team, but for them and their careers. These young men spend so long trying to get themselves to this level, and then sometimes they only get one shot with one team, and so we’ve got to make sure we get this right.”
Here’s a look at how the Bills’ 53-man roster might take shape, with the understanding that tweaks will come between the initial roster and the Week 1 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.
Quarterbacks
– Starter: Josh Allen
– Backups: Mitchell Trubisky, with a decision looming on Mike White vs Shane Buechele for the practice squad quarterback role
Running back
– Starter: James Cook
– Backups: Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (Fullback)
Wide receivers
– Starters: Khali Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman
– Backups: Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers, Laviska Shenault
– What to know: Shenault’s ability to contribute on returns and coverage units makes him appealing on the 53-man roster. Shavers’s special-teams impact also stands out. It remains possible Buffalo might diversify the return game with Samuel or another veteran if needed after cuts.
Tight end
– Starter: Dalton Kincaid
– Backups: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
– What to know: Hawes earns the third roster spot with his blocking and special-teams value; Davidson could be a candidate for the practice squad as an emergency punter option.
Interior offensive line
– Starters: Connor McGovern (C), David Edwards (LG), O’Cyrus Torrence (RG)
– Backups: Alec Anderson (G-C), Kendrick Green (G-C)
– What to know: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger starts the year on the physically unable to perform list due to a calf issue. Anderson and Green provide versatility across interior spots, with Anderson able to swing to tackle if needed.
Offensive tackle
– Starters: Dion Dawkins (LT), Spencer Brown (RT)
– Backups: Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt
– What to know: Ryan Van Demark faces a tough cut, with Grable’s versatility and improved development offering a higher upside than Van Demark. Lundt, a rookie, has raw size and potential to develop on the practice squad.
Cornerbacks
– Starters: Christian Benford, Tre’Davious White, Taron Johnson (Nickel)
– Backups: Maxwell Hairston, Cam Lewis (Nickel), Dorian Strong, Ja’Marcus Ingram
– What to know: White’s injury creates depth concerns; injuries to Hairston and coverage limitations elsewhere add questions at outside depth. If White is out longer term, Buffalo could pursue a veteran in free agency after cuts. Assante Samuel Jr. has been connected to the Bills but remains available.
Safeties
– Starters: Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop
– Backups: Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock
– What to know: Bishop moved into a starting role for snaps against Tampa Bay and flashed enough to keep him in the mix. Hamlin remains a trusted contributor; Hancock was coming back from injury, with Forrest as a potential option if he lands on the active roster.
Linebackers
– Starters: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard
– Backups: Dorian Williams, Shaq Thompson, Joe Andreessen
– What to know: Keonta Jenkins and Edefuan Ulofoshio were in the mix, but Thompson’s veteran presence could win a roster spot given his leadership and special-teams value amid injuries to others.
Defensive tackle
– Starters: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones
– Backups: TJ Sanders, DeWayne Carter, Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi (suspended six games)
– What to know: Ogunjobi’s six-game suspension opens a window for Carter and Walker to prove themselves. Buffalo is likely to keep five at the position when Ogunjobi returns, with Carter currently the player most on the bubble.
Edge rusher
– Starters: Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa
– Backups: Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Michael Hoecht (suspended six games)
– What to know: Hoecht’s suspension complicates depth on the edge. Jackson has earned a higher floor among the younger options, while Solomon is a second-year player who can contribute on special teams. Jackson is likely to be part of the rotation once Hoecht returns.
Special teams
– Starter: Tyler Bass (K), Brad Robbins (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
– Backups: None
– What to know: Buffalo has a fixed setup here with no obvious competition for the three spots.
Practice squad predictions
The Bills can form a 17-man squad, with Travis Clayton listed as an International Pathway Program extra. The rest of the likely targets include:
– QB: Mike White
– RB: Frank Gore Jr.
– WR: Tyrell Shavers (or Elijah Moore if he’s kept on the active roster), Kristian Wilkerson, KJ Hamler
– TE: Zach Davidson
– OL: Ryan Van Demark, Dan Feeney
– DL: Zion Logue, Paris Shand
– LB: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Jimmy Ciarlo
– DB: Brandon Codrington, Daequan Hardy, Darrick Forrest, Te’Cory Couch
A note on the process
The Bills’ depth is being put to the test as Buffalo balances the need to remain competitive in Week 1 and the reality that many players will have to begin their pro careers in search of a roster spot elsewhere. The goal is to maximize readiness for Baltimore while preserving as many developmental options as possible on the practice squad.
Summary
Buffalo used the preseason finale to show improvement and to provide McDermott and his staff with clearer signals about depth roles. While the 53-man roster remains a work in progress, the Bills appear to be aligning around a skilled core at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver, with promising young players at several positions who could contribute on special teams and as injury cover. The key decisions ahead include how to handle White vs Buechele/White for the practice squad, how to manage the edge and cornerback rooms given injury concerns, and which young players will be kept on the 53 versus the practice squad.
What this means going forward
– Expect veteran-free flexibility on cut day, with potential veteran additions at cornerback if injuries persist.
– The Bills will likely lean on a robust practice squad to maintain depth at wide receiver and defensive back positions.
– The ongoing evaluation of special-teams impact could influence who makes the final 53, especially in the return game and coverage units.
– The Bills’ ability to preserve cap-friendly depth while keeping high-upside youngsters will determine how aggressively they pursue mid- to late-august roster moves.
Positive note
Buffalo’s improved performance against Tampa Bay, combined with thoughtful roster planning, suggests the team is better positioned to weather early-season injuries and maintain a strong foundation as it heads toward Week 1. The combination of proven contributors and growing depth could help the Bills stay competitive in a wide-open AFC landscape.