There are still plenty of team needs Buffalo needs to address, but with the first wave of free agency officially behind us, let’s take a look at how the roster is shaping up.

This is a 53-man prediction, but it only takes into account the moves that the team has made so far. Other free agent moves are coming, and the team is undoubtedly going to build through the draft. What is created now will look much different when the 2026 season officially rolls around.

Without further ado, here’s our 53-man prediction if the season were to start today.

Quarterback (3)

• In: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, Shane Buechele
• Out: None

The skinny: As it currently shakes out, Buffalo can afford to have 3 quarterbacks on the roster. This won’t be the case when the regular season rolls around, but for now, we have all the quarterbacks currently with the team making the team. Buffalo recently brought on Josh Allen’s friend, Kyle Allen, to be the backup moving forward after Mitch Trubisky left in free agency.

Running backs (3)

• In: James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis
• Out: Frank Gore Jr.

The skinny: Another year where Frank Gore Jr. just can’t make the team. Buffalo currently has the best third-down back in football in Ty Johnson, Ray Davis was one of the best kick returners in the entire National Football League, and James Cook led the league in rushing. One of the best backfields in all of football stays intact for yet another season.

Wide receiver (6)

• In: DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, Mecole Hardman
• Out: Stephen Gosnell, Jalen Virgil

The skinny: This room is going to look a lot different when the regular season rolls around. I don’t know if Mecole Hardman is going to crack the roster, and honestly, it’s still up in the air whether players like Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman will make the team. Buffalo added DJ Moore, who immediately slots in as the No. 1 wide receiver in the room, but Buffalo isn’t done adding yet. Expect the team to make another free agency move for a receiver and use one of the draft picks to take a player at the position as well. This room could look a lot different once the 2026 season rolls around.

Tight ends (4)

• In: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, Keleki Latu
• Out: None

The skinny: You can never have too many tight ends, and Buffalo has four serviceable starters at the position. Again, with the first wave of free agency just ending, this could change once the regular season rolls around. Keleki Latu got some playing time late in the season and did enough to warrant a spot on the roster, at least for our 53-man predictions with the offseason in full swing. Buffalo agreed to terms on a new contract with Dawson Knox, and Jackson Hawes flourished as a rookie. We all know what Dalton Kincaid is. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy in 2026.

Offensive line (9)

• In: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Tylan Grable, Ryan Van Demark, Chase Lundt
• Out: Travis Clayton, Nick Broeker

The skinny: Buffalo was able to bring back Connor McGovern in a rather surprising move. You can never have too many bodies protecting Josh Allen, so we elected to keep nine players at the position. Buffalo had one of the better offensive lines under Aaron Kromer over the past few seasons, and that should continue in 2026 with relatively the same unit coming back, outside of David Edwards.

Defensive end/EDGE (5)

• In: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, Michael Hoecht, Javon Solomon, Landon Jackson
• Out: Andre Jones, Jr.

The skinny: Buffalo wants to win in the trenches, and it was clear with its decision to bring in Chubb on a three-year deal. Still, they could use some more bodies, and we honestly can’t see Landon Jackson making a run for the 53-man roster when all the smoke has settled and the dust has cleared heading into 2026. Nevertheless, this is how things are shaping up on the defensive end or EDGE room. We can’t wait to see what Rousseau and Chubb are able to accomplish next season.

Defensive tackles (5)

• In: Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, TJ Sanders, DeWayne Carter, Phidarian Mathis
• Out: Tommy Akingbesote, Zion Logue

The skinny: Defensive tackle is another area that we could see Buffalo target with a draft pick or in free agency. With injuries wreaking havoc on this room in 2025, you can never have too many bodies on the interior of the defensive line. Oliver should be back and healthy next season, and Walker ascended to one of the very best at his position in his rookie season, which should have the Bills Mafia excited about this overall group heading into 2026 and beyond.

Linebackers (5)

• In: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen, Keonta Jenkins, Jimmy Ciarlo
• Out: None

The skinny: Buffalo needs all the linebackers it can get, so we have them getting rid of no one right now. The team is going to look toward the draft or free agency to fill out some major roster holes, and linebacker should be one of the most important decisions yet to come. The team desperately needs some depth here, though they have some serviceable backups remaining on the roster. If the season were to start today with what the team has on its roster, we can’t see them sidelining anyone.

Cornerbacks (5)

• In: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Dee Alford, Te’Cory Couch, Dorian Strong
• Out: MJ Devonshire, Daryl Porter, Jr.

The skinny: Dorian Strong’s availability is up in the air, but as of right now, he’s still on the roster, so we’re going to count him toward the totals. Buffalo added some key depth with Dee Alford, though he’s going to take over the role that Taron Johnson had left behind. Still, you have to think that Buffalo takes a swing for another cornerback to add some more depth to the room, either in free agency or the draft.

Safeties (5)

• In: Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Jordan Hancock, Sam Franklin, Geno Stone
• Out: Wande Owens

The skinny: Wande Owens is the only player that we see not making the cut if the season were to start today. Buffalo bolstered its secondary with the addition of Gardner-Johnson and Stone to pair alongside Cole Bishop. The team also brought back one of the best special teamers in the game, Sam Franklin, though he won’t see the field as a safety in any meaningful game in 2026 or beyond.

Special teams (3)

• In: Tyler Bass, Mitch Wishnowsky, Reid Ferguson
• Out: None

The skinny: No real changes here. Wishnowsky might have some competition coming in when training camp begins, but for right now, it’s his job to lose. Bass should be back from a sports hernia, and Ferguson is the longest-tenured member of the team. A solid special teams unit.

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