By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Bills are going to get after it in less than two weeks as the 2019 edition of training camp is set to get underway.
There’s questions, concerns and roster battles set to take place all summer long. How will things look when the dust settles?
There’s always a few surprises, but here’s our first swing at it as The Bills Wire’s Jeremy Juhasz takes a crack at it with his 53-man roster projection:
Quarterback (2)
Josh Allen, Matt Barkley
I believe the Bills trust Allen to stay durable and have confidence Barkley could step in, if needed. In an effort to save room elsewhere on the roster, the Bills stash Tyree Jackson on their practice squad.
Cut: Tyree Jackson
Running back (5)
LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, TJ Yeldon, Devin Singletary, Senorise Perry
The running back position will be an interesting one to watch throughout camp. Barring a bizarre twist with LeSean McCoy trade chatter turning into something concrete, the Bills choose to keep five backs. I think they keep Perry for special teams play. It will be interesting to see who they decide to sit week-to-week.
With the addition of Frank Gore, the offense won’t lose too much in the pass blocking department. Therefore, I believe veteran Pat DiMarco is in a real battle to keep his job. The move also speaks to Buffalo’s brass prioritizing another roster spot like another lineman or receiver to support Josh Allen.
Cuts: Marcus Murphy, Patrick DiMarco
Exemption: Christian Wade
Tight end (4)
Dawson Knox, Tyler Kroft, Lee Smith, Jason Croom
Croom might be a surprise here, but with Kroft coming off an injury the team needs someone to step up. Kroft might even miss the start of the season with his foot injuries, per initial reports. Croom had a nice preseason last season, and had some run with the first-team offense at the end of last season. I expect him to flash again to secure a roster spot.
Cuts: Tommy Sweeney, Nate Becker, Keith Towbridge
Wide receivers (7)
Cole Beasley, Robert Foster, John Brown, Zay Jones, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Andre Roberts, Duke Williams
The Bills decide to keep McCloud over McKenzie here. This projection is based on McCloud’s youth and similar skill set. McCloud had an uneventful rookie campaign, but the Bills are giving him every opportunity to unseat the veteran. Roberts is kept primarily for his return skills, but also shows promise as a developing target. Williams would provide an alternate body type and physical attributes to the group, making him the ideal red-zone target.
Cuts: David Sills, Cam Phillips, Isaiah McKenzie, Nick Easley, Victor Bolden.
Offense line (8)
Mitch Morse (C), Spencer Long (G/C), Quinton Spain (G), Jon Feliciano (G/C), Dion Dawkins (T/G), Cody Ford (T/G), Ty Nsekhe (T), Jeremiah Sirles (T/G/C)
This was by far the toughest position to peg. Morse, Dawkins and Ford are locks to make the roster. After that, the combinations and possibilities are endless.
At guard, Beane signed Spain, Feliciano and Long, expect all of these players to stick, leaving second-year man Wyatt Teller on the outside looking in. The coaching staff will continue viewing Dawkins as a franchise left tackle. Until that changes, Ford and Nsekhe will battle it out to start at right tackle. The versatile Jeremiah Sirles has the ability to play all positions across the line. Long and Sirles’ flexibility are huge feathers in their caps.
Cuts: Wyatt Teller, Vlad Ducasse, Ike Boettger, De’Ondre Wesley, LaAdrian Waddle, Conor McDermott
Defensive line (8)
Jerry Hughes (DE), Shaq Lawson (DE), Trent Murphy (DE), Eli Harold (DE), Star Lotulelei (DT), Ed Oliver (DT), Harrison Phillips (DT), Jordan Phillips (DT)
The defensive line is pretty straight forward. Harold’s pass rushing ability out-dueling the likes of Mike Love and Eddie Yarborough. Johnson and Love can likely find themselves practice squad spots.
Cuts: LT Walton, Robert Thomas, Kyle Peko, Eddie Yarbrough, Mike Love, Darryl Johnson.
Linebacker (5)
Lorenzo Alexander, Tremaine Edmunds, Vosean Joseph, Deon Lacey, Matt Milano
Lacey is a good special teamer and solid backup. Rookie Vosean Joseph will contribute on special teams as well and provide a burst in subpackages. Edmunds and Milano will have a look at establishing themselves as some of the NFL’s best youthful linebacker in their second and third seasons, respectively.
Cuts: Julian Stanford, Juwan Foggie, Tyrel Dodson, Corey Thompson, Maurice Alexander
Cornerback (6)
EJ Gaines, Kevin Johnson, Taron Johnson, Levi Wallace, Tre’Davious White, Lafayette Pitts
Not a huge surprise with this group. Most of the positions competition is near the top of the unit. But those who lose out, will still play vital roles and the Bills haven’t had depth in their secondary in recent seasons, which has burned them.
Cuts: Cam Lewis, Ryan Lewis, Denzel Rice
Safety (5)
Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Siran Neal, Dean Marlowe, Jaquan Johnson
This defense loves its options at the safety position. One can envision seeing Siran Neal and rookie Jaquan Johnson on the field in certain packages. Neal even lined up at the nickel corner position at times during spring practices, providing duel-depth for the secondary. Marlowe provides additional depth and special teams value. He beats out incumbent veteran Bush.
Cut: Rafael Bush
Special teams (3)
Stephen Hauschka, Cory Carter, Reid Ferguson
Did you see the bottle cap challenge video? Ferguson is a lock.