By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills wrapped up their spring practices and we are a long ways away from any sort of roster decisions that coach Sean McDermott will have to make.
Regardless, storylines developed in regard to the Bills’ roster over the past few weeks between organized team activities and mandatory minicamp.
With that, here’s a 53-man roster projection for the Bills following their 2019 minicamp:
Quarterback – 3: Josh Allen, Matt Barkley, Tyree Jackson
A standard answer one would assume, but it’s actually not looking well for Jackson at this point. During spring practices he notably saw less playing time than Allen and Barkley, but Buffalo knew what they were getting in him. He’s a long-term project player, not even a backup at this point. That, combined with the recent history the Bills have had with injuries at the quarterback position, and him being the highest-rated offensive prospect not selected at the 2019 draft, gives Jackson a look at what could be considered the 53rd spot on the roster.
Cuts: none
Running back – 5: LeSean McCoy, Frank Gore, Devin Singletary, TJ Yeldon, Patrick DiMarco, Christian Wade
McCoy is hoping to be the “workhorse” for the Bills, but thus far through practices Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has had Gore and Singletary also take first-team reps. Could be a committee approach for the Bills next season. Yeldon and DiMarco provide special teams versatility and Wade is technically the sixth running back listed, but he’s part of the International Player Pathway Program and won’t count against the team’s practice squad numbers.
Cuts: Senorise Perry, Marcus Murphy
Wide receiver – 6: John Brown, Zay Jones, Cole Beasley, Robert Foster, Duke Williams, Andre Roberts
The top-four seems set, even if we haven’t seen much of Beasley, Brown and Foster during the spring due to injuries. Williams and Roberts are two guys who will be the fighting for the last roster spots. Williams was spotty during spring practices and during training camp when pads come on, he’ll really be able to show his stuff as a big-bodied wide receiver. Roberts is a return ace, but also flashed as a receiver during the spring. Selected cuts here have mostly seen time with the second or third offensive units. McCloud, Phillips and Bolden could surprise with strong training camps.
Cuts: Nick Easley, Ray-Ray McCloud, Cam Phillips, Da’Mari Scott, David Sills, Victor Bolden
Tight end – 4: Tyler Kroft, Lee Smith, Tommy Sweeney, Dawson Knox
Kroft’s injury (foot) is a tough one to swallow, you’d like to see him building some chemistry with Allen during the offseason, but he still appears to be in Buffalo’s plans at least for 2019. His injury has given Knox plenty of opportunity with the starters as well. Smith is still the trademark blocker many remember while Sweeney currently gets the late edge on Jason Croom, who has also been injured this spring (hamstring). Those two will likely go head-to-head for a final tight end spot.
Cuts: Keith Towbridge, Nate Becker, Jason Croom
Offensive tackle – 3: Dion Dawkins, Ty Nsekhe, Cody Ford
Dawkins and Ford are locks, while Nsekhe offers flexibility to play either side as one of the league’s best swing tackles. In the past the Bills have kept three tackles on their roster so it wouldn’t be a shock to see them do so again, if a fourth is kept, you’d have to think it’s either Waddle or Sirles, who can play every spot on the line.
Cuts: Ike Boettger, Conor McDermott, Jeremiah Sirles, De’Ondre Wesley, LaAdian Waddle
Interior offensive line – 5: Mitch Morse, Spencer Long, Wyatt Teller, Quinton Spain, Jon Felicano
A lot of depth can be found on the inside of Buffalo’s line, which is much different than last season when the team unexpectedly lost both Eric Wood and Richie Incognito. Ducasse and Bodine are two former starters that one can see the team moving on from for their inconsistencies as run blockers. Morse is the biggest lock on Buffalo’s roster at center, but all four behind him can play at both guard spots on the line while Felicano and Long can also play at center, too.
Cuts: Vlad Ducasse, Garrett McGhin, Russell Bodine
Defensive end – 4: Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy, Shaq Lawson, Eli Harold
This fourth spot is a toss up. Yarbrough took that role in the recent past, but it seems like, and for good reason, that the Bills want more of a pass-rushing presence there this season. Enter Harold, who’s had some successes at just that in his past. Love saw some run at the end of last season, but it appears both him and Johnson would be destined to start the year as practice squad members in the hopes they can continue to work on their craft.
Cuts: Darryl Johnson, Eddie Yarbrough, Mike Love
Defensive tackle – 4: Ed Oliver, Star Lotulelei, Harrison Phillips, Jordan Phillips
Nothing really to see here. Jordan Phillips is still starting over Oliver, as it appears the Bills coaching staff wants to make their first-round pick “earn it.” Lotulelei and Harrison Phillips will play their expected roles as well, Lotulelei starting and Harrison Phillips rotating around the line.
Cuts: Kyle Peko, LT Walton, Robert Thomas
Linebacker – 6: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Lorenzo Alexander, Vosean Joseph, Julian Stanford, Corey Thompson
A lot of this grouping depends on special teams. Edmunds, Milano and Alexander are locked in as your top-three starters. Joseph is a late-round and raw prospect that should be kept around as a special teamer as he develops. Stanford and Thompson can provide help in that area as well, but both saw time with the first-team defense late last season due to injuries and performed well enough to want to keep them around for those depth spots. Maurice Alexander could also provide position flex and special teams skills too, but he’s just on the outside looking in for now until some dust starts to settle on the special teamer debate during training camp.
Cuts: Maurice Alexander, Deon Lacey, Juwan Foggie, Tyrel Dodson
Cornerback – 6: Tre’Davious White, Levi Wallace, Kevin Johnson, EJ Gaines, Taron Johnson, Lafayette Pitts
Like the offensive line, the depth improvement at cornerback compared to last season is night and day. The top-five are likely set, and because of that, Pitts can be kept around for his special teams skills which he has much more of compared to those cut here. Wallace seems to have the inside track to starting across from White during the regular season, but that battle is far from over as Gaines and Kevin Johnson will get their looks, too.
Cuts: Denzel Rice, Ryan Lewis, Cam Lewis
Safety – 4: Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Siran Neal, Jaquan Johnson
Neal’s been the surprise of spring practices as he’s also flexed down into a slot cornerback role and the “big nickel” cornerback. In that spot, he’s thrived, which would allow him to essentially take Bush’s old job. Bush was just OK last season. Neal will have to keep that up, though. If not, Marlowe or Bush could find themselves sneaking onto the roster. Johnson is a late-round rookie that can be kept around for developmental purposes while Poyer and Hyde are still, in fact, Poyer and Hyde and that’s all that really needs to be said about that.
Cuts: Dean Marlowe, Rafael Bush
Special teams – 3: Corey Bojorquez, Stephen Hauschka, Reid Ferguson
Borjorquez is a lefty punter which actually makes a difference on the way the ball spins off his kicks.
Can’t give em’ anything.
Cuts: Cory Carter, Chase McLaughlin