Bills' way-too-early 53-man roster projections: Controversy could divide the Bills Mafia

Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have used the draft and free agency to build one of the best rosters in the NFL. While we are months away from meaningful football, we are one step closer to knowing what the roster will look like next season. Expect the dynamic duo to continue making moves until the […]

Adam Zientek NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Buffalo BIlls huddle
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane have used the draft and free agency to build one of the best rosters in the NFL. While we are months away from meaningful football, we are one step closer to knowing what the roster will look like next season.

Expect the dynamic duo to continue making moves until the start of the season. For now, let's have some fun and predict what the Buffalo Bills may look like next season.

Note: Players with single asterisk (*) are 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2023 undrafted free agents.

Quarterback (3)

IN: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, Matt Barkley
OUT: 

The skinny: The Bills will live and die by Josh Allen. With that comes some risks, the team will keep three quarterbacks on the roster just in case.


Running back (3RB, 1FB)

IN: James Cook, Reggie Gilliam (FB), Nyheim Hines, Jordan Mims**
OUT: Latavius Murray, Damien Harris

The skinny: Brandon Beane loves his running backs. Ken Dorsey will keep a healthy rotation throughout the year. Jordan Mims comes into camp and lights it up to make his way to the 53-man roster. Who doesn't love a good underdog story?


Wide receiver (6)

IN: Gabriel Davis, Stefon Diggs, Deonte Harty, Khalil Shakir, Trent Sherfield, Justin Shorter*
OUT: Isaiah Coulter, KeeSean Johnson, Dezmon Patmon, Tyrell Shavers**, Jalen Wayne**

The skinny: Get Josh Allen all of the weapons. Buffalo hits on one of the surprising draft moves and Justin Shorter plays meaningful snaps throughout the season. There won't be enough targets, but Dorsey will try his best.


Tight end (3)

IN: Dalton Kincaid*, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris
OUT: Zach Davidson

The skinny: Kincaid and Knox are going to get the lion's share of targets and playing time. However, the front office loved the production that Morris had in a limited role last season.


Offensive line (10)

IN: Ryan Bates, Ike Boettger, Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins, Tommy Doyle, David Edwards, Greg Mancz, Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse, O'Cyrus Torrence*
OUT: Alec Anderson, David Edwards, Nick Broeker*, Kevin Jarvis, Ryan Van Denmark, David Quessenberry, Richard Gouraige**, Noah Henderson**

The skinny: Depth, depth, and more depth. Expect McDermott and Beane to keep a healthy dose of offensive linemen available at all times. With how last season went with injuries, you can't be too careful.


Defensive line (9)

IN: Boogie Basham, AJ Epenesa, DaQuan Jones, Shaq Lawson, Ed Oliver, Von Miller, Jordan Phillips, Greg Rousseau, Tim Settle
OUT: Eli Ankou, Brandin Bryant, Cortez Broughton, DJ Dale**, Kinglsey Jonathan, Kendal Vickers

The skinny: The usual suspects here. Get Von Miller healthy and ball out.


Linebacker (5)

IN:  Tyrel Dodson, AJ Klein, Matt Milano, Baylon Spector, Dorian Williams*
OUT: Terrel Bernard, Tyler Matakevich

The skinny: Dorian Williams will shock the world, at least for our way-too-early-predictions. Beane and McDermott have gushed over him since being drafted. While divided among Bills' Mafia, he can turn some heads with a monster camp.


Cornerback (6)

IN: Christian Benford, Kaiir Elam, Dane Jackson, Taron Johnson, Siran Neal, Tre'Davious White
OUT: Alex Austin, Ja'Marcus Ingram, Kyler McMichael, Cam Lewis

The skinny: Competition reaches an all-time high for this position. With the recent talent brought in last season, some big names no longer make the cut. Unfortunately, the Bills' seventh-round pick won't quite make it, either.


Safety (4)

IN: Damar Hamlin, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Taylor Rapp
OUT: Zayne Anderson, Jared Mayden

The skinny: Buffalo was able to secure one of the best safety tandems in the NFL in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Additionally, they snagged maybe their future in Taylor Rapp. Throw in Damar Hamlin with his hopeful return and this is an impressive unit.


Special Teams (3)

IN: Tyler Bass (K), Sam Martin (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)
OUT:

The skinny: No cuts here, Buffalo retains one of the best special teams units in the NFL.