Bills enter the final stretch of roster cuts with several underdogs in the mix, and a few late bloomers from years past stand as reminders that surprise inclusions are never off the table.
History suggests the Bills aren’t strangers to late surges. Last year, the Bills added Joe Andreessen after a tryout and kept him on the roster for the regular season. And in 2018, an undrafted receiver named Robert Foster—who carried limited college production—made the 53-man unit and finished as Buffalo’s second-leading receiver with 541 yards. Those stories underscore the unpredictable path from preseason bubble to regular-season contributor.
This year, three bubble players stood out in the August 23 preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two of the standouts had joined the Bills earlier in the month, and all three produced enough to spark belief that Buffalo might keep them beyond cutdown day. If any of these players don’t survive the initial cuts, the Bills are expected to offer a path to the practice squad.
The Bills must trim their roster to 63 by Tuesday, August 26 at 4 p.m. ET, leaving a tight window to finalize the list of 53.
One standout among the bubble candidates is linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo. The West Point product is writing a modern-day fairytale, having been signed off the couch to replace waived/injured Baylon Spector. Three days before Buffalo’s preseason opener against the New York Giants, Ciarlo made an impact on kickoff coverage, a moment that earned him attention on Hard Knocks and suggested he could carve out a roster spot as part of the special-teams unit.
In the Tampa Bay game, the former Army captain continued to impress, totaling five tackles and recovering a fumble. That performance reinforced the possibility that Ciarlo could be one of the “three guys” who make the team primarily for their special-teams value, a realistic route to earning a spot on the active roster.
Other notes to watch as the Bills approach cutdown day include the fate of the remaining two bubble players who debuted with Buffalo later in August and the chance the club would keep all three underdogs on the active roster if they maintain their current momentum. If not, the Bills are likely to pursue opportunities on the practice squad to retain depth for the season.
Additional context and takeaways:
– The club’s recent history shows Buffalo has found valuable contributors through unlikely routes, underscoring the importance of special-teams contributions and football character in the evaluation process.
– The current group of bubble players has demonstrated the kind of hustle and versatility that can influence a coaching staff’s decision during quick-cut periods.
– Fans can expect a decision that balances immediate game-day impact with long-term development for depth across the roster.
A hopeful note: the Bills’ ability to uncover talent from outside the traditional draft pathways reflects a broader organizational philosophy of identifying players who fit their system and culture, even if the path to the 53-man roster is unconventional. If these underdogs continue to perform, Buffalo could emerge with a roster that leans on special-teams efficiency and flexible depth, laying a strong foundation for the season ahead.