Buffalo Bills Roster Reset: Competition heating up

The Buffalo Bills aren't quite done prepping their roster for the 2023 season quite yet. Bills Mafia will rejoice as the team was able to fill some major roster needs from the draft. Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, with limited cap space, have been able to maneuver and manipulate to bring the roster to where […]

Adam Zientek NFL News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Nov 21, 2021; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane walks to the field prior to the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills aren't quite done prepping their roster for the 2023 season quite yet. Bills Mafia will rejoice as the team was able to fill some major roster needs from the draft.

Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott, with limited cap space, have been able to maneuver and manipulate to bring the roster to where it sits today. With the draft, Buffalo focused predominately on helping protect and equip Josh Allen with weapons. 

Without further ado, we present to you the Buffalo Bills post-draft roster. Note: Single asterisks (*) represent 2023 draft picks and double asterisks (**) represent undrafted free agents

Quarterbacks

  • Josh Allen
  • Kyle Allen
  • Matt Barkley

The skinny: The quarterback situation in Buffalo isn't the best. While Josh Allen is one of the top quarterbacks across the league, if he were to get hurt and miss substantial time, Buffalo would be in trouble. With Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley behind him, here's hoping Allen can take some of his own advice and avoid running into linebackers at midfield


Running back

  • James Cook
  • Damien Harris
  • Nyheim Hines
  • Jordan Mims**

The skinny: Buffalo is set at running back, barring anything crazy from happening. Brandon Beane, once again, went into free agency with the desire to pick up a veteran. With Singeltary gone, this is Cook's backfield to lose. Let's see how newly aquired Damien Harris can fit into the mix.


Wide receiver 

  • Isaiah Coulter
  • Gabriel Davis
  • Stefon Diggs
  • Deonte Harty
  • KeeSean Johnson
  • Dezmon Patmon
  • Khalil Shakir
  • Tyrell Shavers**
  • Trent Sherfield
  • Justin Shorter*

The skinny: Getting Josh Allen more weapons will always be a priority. While Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis have flashed as the team's number one and number two options, respectfully, it feels as though there is something missing with this current regime. A big second year from Khalil Shakir and some production from Sherfield could go a long way. Newly acquired Justin Shorter has his work cut out for him to compete on gamedays.


Tight end

  • Zach Davidson
  • Dalton Kincaid*
  • Dawson Knox
  • Quintin Morris

The skinny: Dawson Knox signed a multi-year extension making him one of the highest-paid TEs in football. However, Buffalo spent a first-round pick on Dalton Kincaid. Brandon Beane talked about running an 11.5 personnel set, ensuring Kincaid will get his fair share of targets. Could we potentially see a passing of the torch over the next few seasons?


Offensive line

  • Alec Anderson
  • Ryan Bates
  • Ike Boettger
  • Nick Broeker*
  • Spencer Brown
  • Dion Dawkins
  • Tommy Doyle
  • David Edwards
  • Richard Gouraige**
  • Kevin Jarvis
  • Greg Mancz
  • Connor McGovern
  • Mitch Morse
  • O'Cyrus Torrence*
  • David Quessenberry
  • Ryan Van Demark

The skinny: Buffalo will need to make some improvements on the outside of the offensive line to protect Allen. With Aaron Kromer coming into his second year with the team, there are huge question marks surrounding this position group. Brandon Beane bolstered the unit with one of the best offensive linemen in the draft, O'Cyrus Torrence. The position battle for the inside of the line will be strong during camp, especially after the team took a flier on a late-round pick with OL Nick Broeker.

Buffalo Bills Offensive Line
Buffalo Bills offensive linemen walking out of the tunnelTim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive line

  • Boogie Basham
  • DJ Dale**
  • AJ Epenesa
  • Kinglsey Jonathan
  • Shaq Lawson
  • Von Miller
  • Greg Rousseau
  • Kendal Vickers

The skinny: Buffalo struggled last season after Von Miller tore his ACL. AJ Epenesa will need to have a make-it-or-break-it type season and Boogie Basham will need to improve his game as well. Rousseau is a breakout candidate coming into next season. Outside of that, Buffalo will look to deploy a healthy rotation to disrupt the quarterback.


Defensive tackle

  • Eli Ankou
  • Cortez Broughton
  • Brandin Bryant
  • DaQuan Jones
  • Ed Oliver
  • Jordan Phillips
  • Tim Settle

The skinny: Ed Oliver has been vocal on social media with cryptic messages about getting paid. This is a contract year for Oliver and the team is hoping he can stay healthy and dominant. Outside of Oliver and Jones, there will be healthy competition, The team struggled to get after the quarterback after Von Miller's ACL injury last season.


Linebacker

  • Terrel Bernard
  • Tyrel Dodson
  • Tyler Matakevich
  • Matt Milano 
  • Baylon Spector
  • Dorian Williams*

The skinny: Matt Milano was a phenom last season earning All-Pro honors. However, there is no clear-cut answer for a Tremaine Edmunds replacement. While Brandon Beane drafted Dorian Williams, he has already made the announcement that Williams will be an outside linebacker. Perhaps the team is much higher on Tyrel Dodson than some would believe.


Cornerback

  • Alex Austin*
  • Christian Benford
  • Kaiir Elam
  • Ja'Marcus Ingram
  • Dane Jackson
  • Taron Johnson
  • Cam Lewis
  • Kyler McMichael
  • Siran Neal
  • Tre'Davious White

The skinny: Tre'Davious White came on strong during the second half of the season after returning from an ACL tear. Beane and McDermott also leaned more heavily on Kaiir Elam throughout the season. With a healthy roster, Buffalo should be happy with the talent they have returning in the CB room. Beane added some more depth to the room with his seventh-round selection of Alex Austin. Austin will have his work cut out for him to make an impact on the roster.

Buffalo Bills CB Tre'Davious White
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White reacts to intercepting a passMark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Safety

  • Zayne Anderson
  • Damar Hamlin
  • Micah Hyde
  • Jared Mayden
  • Jordan Poyer
  • Taylor Rapp

The skinny: Brandon Beane struck gold keeping Jordan Poyer around. The Hyde/Poyer tandem is one of the best in the NFL. However, with both contracts expiring sooner rather than later, the team will look to the future. Rapp's contract very well could be a tryout to see if he's ready for more reps and there were rumors of Benford switching to safety. For right now, Buffalo has an elite duo at the helm.


Special Teams

  • Tyler Bass (K)
  • Reid Ferguson (LS)
  • Sam Martin (P)

The skinny: Buffalo extended Bass to a four-year deal keeping one of the franchise's best kickers in Buffalo for a few more years. The team had one of the best special team units across the entire league, not making sweeping changes is a huge win for the organization, in this department.