Bills 53-man prediction: Fan-favorite finally makes the team, safety remains an issue, and injuries force the front office’s hand
Our 53-man roster prediction for the Buffalo Bills heading into the 2025 NFL season.
The Buffalo Bills have wrapped up their final preseason contest. While the regular season is inching closer, the team has some difficult decisions ahead of it. Before they can think about the Baltimore Ravens coming into town on Sept. 7, they need to cut down their roster from 90 to 53 players.
All the talk in training camp, all the position battles, it all comes down to this. Here is our prediction for what the final roster is going to look like for the Bills to start the 2025 NFL season. This isn’t in order on the depth chart, just the players who we felt are in or out. The deadline for the team to get it done is Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. ET.
Note: Players with a single asterisk (*) are 2025 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) are 2025 undrafted free agents.
Quarterback (2)
In: Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
Out: Shane Buechele, Mike White
The skinny: No real surprises here. MVP is ready to take the league by storm. Here’s a really cool touchdown from last season, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Running back (4)
In: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
Out: Frank Gore Jr, Elijah Young**
The skinny: Cook, Davis, and Johnson are going to lead the backfield this season. Gore Jr. is fun, but there’s just not enough snaps to go around. After Cook signed a massive four-year extension, Brandon Beane has discussed wanting to get more out of him this season. Davis is looking to take another step in this offense, and Allen has called Johnson the best third-down back in football.
Wide receiver (5)
In: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers
Out: Laviska Shenault, Elijah Moore, Deon Cain, Grant DuBose, Stephen Gosnell**, K.J. Hamler, Kristian Wilkerson
The skinny: Shavers earned his spot and his flowers as he makes the 53-man roster. Still, I would not be surprised if, after cutdown day, Buffalo brings back Gabe Davis if they feel that the room is lacking at all. For now, this is how we see this room panning out. Samuel stays with no team willing to offer a trade, and the top four have been a given. Simply cutting him would be off the table due to his cap restraints. K.J. Hamler, Kristian Wilkerson, and Stephen Gosnell join the practice squad in our prediction.
Tight end (3)
IN: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes*
OUT: Zach Davidson, Matt Sokol, Keleki Latu**
The skinny: It all came down to Hawes and Davidson for that final spot. Expect Buffalo to snag Davidson and Latu and put them on the practice squad if they’re able to clear waivers. It’ll be a one-two punch of mostly Kincaid and Knox throughout the season.
Offensive line (10)
In: Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, David Edwards, Spencer Brown, Alec Anderson, Ryan Van Denmark, Tylan Grable, Kendrick Green, Chase Lundt*
Out: Jacob Bayer**, Rush Reimer**, Dan Feeney, Mike Edwards, Richard Gouraige
PUP: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
International Pathway Program: Travis Clayton
The skinny: Van Pran-Granger is starting on the PUP, having us add Green for some insurance. Expect to see one of these guys drop down when Van Pran-Granger is activated. Buffalo returns a dominant offensive line ready to protect Josh Allen. Just please, stay healthy. Clayton will join the practice squad as an exemption as part of the International Pathway Program.
Defensive line (10)
In: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Javon Solomon, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Landon Jackson*, T.J. Sanders*, Deone Walker*, DeWayne Carter
Out: Paris Shand**, Zion Logue, Casey Rogers, Nelson Caesar, Marcus Harris
Suspended: Michael Hoecht, Larry Ogunjobi
The skinny: With suspensions to both Hoecht and Ogunjobi, the team is keeping ten players on its defensive line this season. Carter is the beneficiary of the suspensions, landing a spot on the roster. Jackson, Sanders, and Walker were all taken in the 2025 NFL Draft and are looking to make a difference early on in their careers. Walker was a dominant force early during the preseason finale, and the front office is hoping for more of the same when the regular season rolls around.
Linebacker (5)
In: Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen, Shaq Thompson
Out: Edefuan Ulofoshio, Keonta Jenkins**, Jimmy Ciarlo
The skinny: “Buffalo Joe” Andreessen is a fan favorite and has won over the hearts of many during his appearance on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Ciarlo has shown his prowess on special teams despite only joining the team over halfway through the preseason. We have Ciarlo joining the team on the practice squad. It was a toss-up between Thompson and Ulofoshio for that last spot, with both coming back with Ciarlo on the PS.
Cornerback (6)
In: Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Dorian Strong*, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Dane Jackson, Brandon Codrington
Out: Daequan Hardy, Zy Alexander**
IR-DFR: Tre’Davious White, Maxwell Hairston*
The skinny: This is all speculation, but we can see White starting the year on IR as well as Hairston, with one or both being tagged with designated to return. Jackson, once either White or Hairston returns, will be the odd man out. For Codrington, he’s been too good as a returner, and while he has struggled in other areas, having that home run threat every time he’s back there is too good to pass up. Jackson, to the dismay of some of Bills Mafia, earns the final spot with White being out due to his experience with the defense. If White were healthy, Jackson would be on the outs. Strong and Ingram look to make an impact with increased reps due to injury.
Safety (5)
In: Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Jordan Hancock*, Damar Hamlin, Cam Lewis
Out: Darrick Forrest, Tre Herndon, Garnett Hollis Jr.
The skinny: While the Bills Mafia is concerned over the safety position, we don’t see a huge change here. Barring a trade, this is how we predict the safety room will pan out this season. It may not be the result we wanted, and we’ll wait to see how the front office maneuvers other cutdowns across the league or free agency if they don’t feel like they’re able to compete with the current roster prediction in mind. Forrest, despite being added this offseason, was a relative no-show through the early stages of camp. It just seems as though maybe the team didn’t utilize him correctly, or if he was just unable to get acclimated. Regardless, we have him as the first man out. Herndon came in late, and while he showed flashes, it’s too difficult to keep the rest off our list. Hancock flashed, and despite injury, his upside cannot be ignored, especially with the challenges this unit is facing. Bishop and Rapp will be the starters, with Hamlin being a security blanket.
Specialists (3)
In: Tyler Bass, Brad Robbins, Reid Ferguson
Out: N/A
The skinny: No surprises here. Bass looks back and healthy, he’ll be leading the way in that department with Robbins punting and Ferguson being the team’s long snapper. Although Zach Davidson’s punt has us imagining an NFL with the first-ever TE/P tandem.
Final Word
Football is almost back. Buffalo is looking to continue their dominance over the AFC East while getting over the AFC Championship hump. Some injuries on the defense have the fan base, rightfully, a bit more than a little concerned. With the reigning MVP leading the charge, we’re excited to see what this team is able to accomplish. We won’t have to wait long – get your tables ready.
Buffalo Bills News
Brandon Beane gives cryptic injury update on Tre White that has Bills Mafia more than a little concerned for Week 1
Brandon Beane opened up on Tre’Davious White’s injury.
