By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
Two preseason games are in the history books for the 2018 Buffalo Bills and the all-important third preseason game is on the horizon as the Cincinnati Bengals head to New Era Field.
Here are five position battles to watch during Sunday’s preseason opener against the Bengals:
Center
Ryan Groy will make his second start of the preseason for the Bills against the Bengals after starting the first preseason contest. At this point, Groy seems to have a slight leg-up on free agent signee Russell Bodine, who started Buffalo’s last game. While things aren’t totally on the center, and because the two have played two totally different teams, it still was noticeable that the Bills’ offensive line looked better in the team’s first game. Bodine has allowed two sacks in 31 passing snaps as well.
Nickel corner
Taron Johnson has slowly but surely seen more time with the first-team defense. At the start of the offseason, Phillips Gaines saw more action there. Johnson made a few nice tackles and played well in zone pass coverage against the Browns last week. He improved from Buffalo’s first game. But his performance was highlighted by an ugly block on him by Jarvis Landry. Johnson’s OK, so the battle continues. Both will likely be on Buffalo’s final 53-man roster, as Gaines has seen time at outside corner in a depth role as well this offseason.
Wide receiver
Finally the wide receiver room is starting to take shape. Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones, and Jeremy Kerley are near locks with a bulk of their limited work coming with the first-team offense. Andre Holmes’s special teams skills will push him over the edge for a roster spot. The rest is interesting.
Will Corey Coleman be given a spot? It’s a good bet to take as a former first-round who’s being brought along slowly. Rod Streater has seen time with the starters and second-team, but doesn’t do much special teams wise, so he’s an interesting case. Ray-Ray McCloud has flashed, only in a depth role, but he has skills as a returner. Brandon Reilly (rib) simply needs to get on the field. Malachi Dupre, Austin Proehl, Cam Phillips (groin) and Robert Foster are among those appearing to be long shots.
Linebacker
Keenan Robinson surprisingly retired at the age of 29 on Thursday. He wasn’t a lock for the final roster, but he made a good case. Without him, Julian Stanford and Tanner Vallejo have slightly easier paths to the final 53-man roster, with their special teams abilities playing a factor.
Closer to the top of the depth chart, Robinson also spelled in for Matt Milano at times as the starting weak-side linebacker. Milano has struggled this preseason, but even without Robinson, he has competition. Ramon Humber, who’s job Milano took last season, has also seen time with the starters.
Quaterback
It’s Josh Allen time.
The rookie quarterback will get his first-career start. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott has said his evaluation goes much deeper than the game. The coach wants to see how he handles things throughout the week. On the field, Allen’s flashed his athleticism and rocket arm, causing many to clamor for him to start once the regular season rolls around.
Allen’s stiffest competition will be from second-year pro Nathan Peterman, who hasn’t made the flashy plays but has been consistent. So far Peterman is 17-for-20 passing during the regular season, which is extremely efficient. AJ McCarron is likely out of the battle due to his struggled on the field and a shoulder injury he’s battling off of it. He likely won’t play on Sunday.