Confusing roster decision looms over key takeaways from Buffalo Bills cut down day
Roster cut day was a frenzy of activity. Now that we've had a little bit of time to sit back and digest the moves, we can take a bit of a more pragmatic view of the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster. Here are the top takeaways worth noting. The Bills are rolling with five wide receivers […]
Roster cut day was a frenzy of activity. Now that we've had a little bit of time to sit back and digest the moves, we can take a bit of a more pragmatic view of the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster.
Here are the top takeaways worth noting.
The Bills are rolling with five wide receivers
Buffalo's wide receiver position is going to be under a ton of scrutiny this year. Inarguably, it will be linked to the decision to move on from Stefon Diggs, and in allowing Gabriel Davis to walk in free agency. Fair or not, we'll hear about it all season. It's inevitable.
I thought they would keep six wide receivers, with the final spot going to Tyrell Shavers, but there are only five on the initial 53-man roster. That said, the Bills might not be done. We'll keep an eye on waiver moves and potential free agent signings, but for now, the Bills have Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in their receiver room.
Casey Toohill making the roster is getting a lot of heat
There was speculation about how many defensive ends and defensive tackles the Bills would roster, and they ended up going with six ends and four for the interior. One of the defensive ends to make the cuts is Casey Toohill, a free agent acquisition that Buffalo brought over from the Washington Commanders.
Toohill didn't do much of anything to pop during training camp and the preseason. He didn't log any counting stats on defense or on special teams in the three preseason games, leading many Bills fans to be surprised that he's on the initial 53-man roster over the likes of Shavers.
For a veteran that had 5.0 sacks last year as a rotational piece for Washington, the Bills must be putting stock in his previous performance more than what he did during the preseason this year.
The offensive line is counting on youth
Veteran La'el Collins was one of the somewhat surprising names to wind up released yesterday, although it made sense. His mobility doesn't seem to be there anymore, meaning his days as a tackle in the league are likely behind him. Buffalo elected to go with inexperienced youth that has some positional flexibility to fill in at depth, which can be a bit of a gamble.
That said, if there's one position group where I trust the Bills to develop players, it's on the offensive line. OL coach Aaron Kromer has a proven track record of developing linemen. The likes of rookie Sedrick Gan-Pran Granger and third year players Alec Anderson and Ryan Van Demark could hear their names called in a hurry if there are any injuries up front.
Flurry of moves and last-minute trade round out the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster
Meet the 2024 Buffalo Bills – for now.
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