The Buffalo Bills are about to start the dog days of training camp. With the first week behind us and all of the hoopla surrounding uniforms and Josh Allen’s opinion on what’s going to change this year and plenty else on the back burner, it’s time to look forward.

But before we do, let’s take a look back at what we learned from Week 1 of Bills camp, and project the roster and lineup going forward, using our friend Grok.

Simulated Buffalo Bills 53-man roster and projected starting lineup after the first week of 2026 training camp

This is a projection based on pre-camp 53-man forecasts, the current 90-man roster, and early camp notes (Alec Anderson taking first-team left guard reps, Kaleb Elarms-Orr impressing and getting elevated looks, Skyler Bell rising, C.J. Gardner-Johnson dealing with a calf strain but expected back, Tyrell Shavers on PUP, Michael Hoecht participating, limited early injuries elsewhere). Final cuts are not until late August, so this is an early-camp snapshot that can still shift with pads, preseason games, and further evaluations.

Projected 53-Man Roster

Offense (24–25)

• QB (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen
• RB (3–4): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson (Jackson Acker or Ben VanSumeren as FB/hybrid in many projections)
• WR (5–6): DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell (Mecole Hardman or Trent Sherfield for the 6th/special teams/return role in some)
• TE (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
• OL (9–10): Dion Dawkins, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Jude Bowry, Tylan Grable / Sedrick Van Pran-Granger / Lloyd Cushenberry (depth mix; Chase Lundt often projected as a possible trade candidate)

Defense (25–26)

• DL (6): Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Zane Durant (Phidarian Mathis sometimes edges in as rotational depth)
• EDGE/OLB (5–6): Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, T.J. Parker, Michael Hoecht, Mike Danna (Javon Solomon as the bubble/special-teams option)
• ILB (4): Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Joe Andreessen
• CB (4–5): Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Davison Igbinosun, Dee Alford (Toriano Pride Jr. or Jordan Hancock for nickel/depth)
• S (5): Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore, Sam Franklin Jr. (Damar Hamlin on the bubble)

Special Teams (3): Tyler Bass (K), Tommy Doman Jr. (P — edge over Mitch Wishnowsky in most projections), Reid Ferguson (LS)

Notes / PUP / Bubble (not on initial 53 in this sim): Tyrell Shavers (PUP, recovering from ACL), Shane Buechele (practice squad favorite), Frank Gore Jr., various UDFA/OL depth, Keonta Jenkins, etc. Early camp has highlighted Anderson at LG, Elarms-Orr’s activity, Bell’s route running, and Hoecht’s return to team drills. Gardner-Johnson’s calf strain is not expected to be long-term.

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Projected Starting Lineup (base 11 personnel / 3-4 under new DC Jim Leonhard)

Offense

• QB: Josh Allen
• RB: James Cook
• WR: DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman (or Joshua Palmer/Skyler Bell rotating)
• TE: Dalton Kincaid
• LT: Dion Dawkins
• LG: Alec Anderson (early first-team looks over Austin Corbett)
• C: Connor McGovern
• RG: O’Cyrus Torrence
• RT: Spencer Brown

Defense (3-4 base lean)

• DL: Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders (Landon Jackson/DeWayne Carter rotating)
• EDGE: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb (T.J. Parker/Michael Hoecht rotating)
• ILB: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams (or Kaleb Elarms-Orr mixed in)
• CB: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston (Davison Igbinosun pushing)
• Nickel: Dee Alford
• S: Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Geno Stone filling early while Gardner-Johnson manages the calf)

Key early-camp context

New HC Joe Brady and DC Jim Leonhard are installing schemes with more emphasis on versatility and a true 3-4 front. OL left guard and ILB next to Bernard are the clearest open competitions. WR depth after Moore/Shakir remains fluid, with Coleman needing a strong camp. Special teams (returns, coverage) will decide several final bubble spots.

This is a consensus-leaning simulation reflecting the roster picture and early practice reports as of ~August 5, 2026. Actual 53 will be set closer to August 30 after preseason.