Just weeks remain until the Buffalo Bills kick off the 2024 NFL season against the Arizona Cardinals. The team concluded the pre-season with a 31-26 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Saturday evening.
Looking to win their fifth straight AFC East crown for the first time in franchise history, Josh Allen and company are no longer the heavy favorites to capture the division title like in years past. Aaron Rodgers is back healthy for a New York Jets group that went all in on upgrading their offensive line. Furthermore, after blowing a three-game divisional lead in 2023, the Miami Dolphins should once again be primed for another battle with Buffalo.
The Bills underwent major turnover this spring. Gone are longtime veterans Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse, Leonard Floyd, Jordan Poyer, and Micah Hyde. They also received unfortunate news after it was revealed that linebacker Matt Milano would be absent for an extended period due to a torn bicep. Can Buffalo break through in 2024 in its pursuit of a Super Bowl title? Or will the offseason salary cap purge be too much to overcome? Here is my positional breakdown of how I think the opening-day roster will shape up.
Buffalo Bills Offense
Quarterbacks (2) - Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
Outside Looking In - Ben DiNucci, Shane Buechele
Heading into his seventh year in the NFL, Josh Allen is on a historic pace. The 28-year-old became the first player in league history to eclipse 40 total touchdowns four seasons in a row. Furthermore, he also broke Cam Newton's record for the most rushing scores in a single season by a quarterback (15).
Behind the star signal caller, Trubisky will operate as the backup. He returned to the Bills on a two-year deal following a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buechele was placed on the injured reserve list due to a neck injury. DiNucci filled the team's need for a third-string quarterback.
Running Backs (4) - James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam
Outside Looking In - Darrynton Evans, Frank Gore Jr.
On the heels of a mid-season change at offensive coordinator, Cook blossomed down the stretch in 2023. The former second-round pick eclipsed 500 rushing yards during the final seven games, including a 25-179-1 performance against the Dallas Cowboys. A one-year starter at Kentucky, Ray Davis is a physical running back who could steal some of the short-yardage and goal-line work away from Cook.
Additionally, the 24-year-old should also see some work in the passing game after logging 33 receptions during senior season with the Wildcats. Johnson is a dependable depth piece. Neither Evans nor Gore Jr. pushed hard for a roster spot in training camp and should be the odd two out in the room.
Wide Receivers (6) - Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers
Outside Looking In - Andy Isabella, Justin Shorter, K.J. Hamler, Bryan Thompson, Xavier Johnson, Lawrence Keys III
In a completely overhauled wide receiver room, gone are Diggs and Davis and their combined 152 catches in 2023. A second-round pick in April's NFL Draft, Coleman will be counted on to hit the ground running and make plays for Allen as a big-body possession receiver. Samuel has experience playing under Joe Brady. He posted 1,051 scrimmage yards with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Coming off a down year with the Atlanta Falcons, Hollins is a strong run blocker who can make plays in the passing game.
While he has battled drop problems throughout training camp, Valdes-Scantling has the speed and downfield receiving abilities to get behind the defense and create chunk plays. Furthermore, the former fifth-round pick also has experience playing in big games during his time with the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. Shavers earns the final spot due to his versatility to play all three wide receiver positions and his ability to contribute on special teams.
Tight Ends (3) - Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quinton Morris
Outside Looking In - Zach Davidson, Tre' McKitty
Kincaid figures to be one of the go-to targets for Allen and the focal point of Buffalo's passing game. The University of Utah product is looking to build off a strong debut campaign. He broke Pete Metzelaars' record for most receptions by a tight end in a season (68), making it to 73 total receptions. Along with this, the 24-year-old also set the franchise record for the most catches by a player in their rookie season.
Knox has battled a slew of injuries over the past few years but should continue to play a role as a blocker and in two tight end sets. Morris is a core special teamer who can continue in a backup role offensively. Davidson is a prime candidate to return to the Bills practice squad.
Offensive Line (10) - Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, David Edwards, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, La’el Collins, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Tylan Grable
Outside Looking in - Keaton Bills, Will Clapp, Gunner Britton, Mike Edwards, Richard Gouraige
The Bills returned their same starting five a year ago. However, the team broke up that continuity in the offseason following the release of Mitch Morse. Connor McGovern will move over and man the pivot. Torrence and Edwards are penciled in at the two guard spots. The former was selected to the All-Rookie team by the Pro Football Writers of America. He was penalized just six times, which ranked in the top 10 at his position, and allowed three sacks, tied for 30th.
Dawkins earned his third straight Pro Bowl nomination in 2023 and is still one of the premier blindside protectors in the league. Brown is heading into a contract year and looking to cash in on an extension. The former third-round pick started 17 games for the first time in his career last season. Van Denmark is a favorite of offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, while Alec Anderson and rookie Tylan Grable will battle it out for the fourth tackle spot.
Buffalo Bills Defense
Defensive Line (9 – Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Von Miller, Dawuane Smoot, Javon Solomon, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Austin Johnson
Outside Looking in - Deshawn Williams, Kameren Cline, Rondell Bothroyd, Kingsley Jonathan, Casey Toohill, Gable Steveson, Eli Ankou, Branson Deen
After appearing in just 12 games in 2023, Miller has reportedly flashed at Buffalo's training camp with his speed, regained athleticism, and anticipation. Coming off his best year as a pro, Rousseau is still the leader of Buffalo's edge group. Through three seasons, the former first-round pick has recorded 129 total tackles, 17 sacks, 12 passes-defended, three forced fumbles, and an interception. The Bills need Epenesa to take another step forward in his development. They rewarded him with a two-year $12 million extension in the offseason. Solomon rounds out the group as an intriguing name to watch as the season progresses. While he will likely need time to develop as a three-down edge player, the Troy University product has the build to make an impact as a pass rusher from the get-go.
Jones re-signed with the Bills in March on a two-year deal. Despite missing ten games with a pectoral injury last season, the 32-year-old logged 16 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. Oliver produced his best season as a pro in 2023. The University of Houston product played the highest percentage of snaps (68.1) of any Buffalo defender. He recorded a career-high 51 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Johnson and Williams will provide veteran rotational pieces. A second-round pick of the Tennesee Titans in 2016, Johnson can play both on the interior and the edge. Known for his ability to defend the run, Carter posted 21.5 tackles for loss during his time at Duke University.
Linebackers (5)- Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio, Nicholas Morrow
Outside Looking in - Deion Jones, Shayne Simon, Joe Andreessen
Still a member of the active roster, Milano will likely be placed on the injured reserve list with a designation to return later in the season following his torn biceps injury. After missing the majority of mini-camp and two pre-season games due to a groin ailment, Morrow earns a spot on the opening day 53. A member of the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago, the 28-year-old earned the 12th highest grade against the run amongst players at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. The story of the summer in Western New York, Andreesen has done everything he can to make the team. Nonetheless, the Buffalo native remains a prime candidate to return to the practice squad.
Cornerbacks (7)- Rasul Douglas, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Kaiir Elam, Daequan Hardy, Ja'Marcus Ingram
Outside Looking in - Te'Cory Couch, Kyron Brown, Kemi-H Lovely
One of the best nickels in the game, Johnson posted his third campaign with 90-plus tackles in 2023. Lewis is dependable both in the slot while also providing the team with safety depth. Douglas, Benford, and Elam are all locks to make the roster. Ingram has put together an impressive training camp. He offers the Bills both positional versatility and special teams value, a much-needed trait after the franchise was forced to part with core special teams players in the spring. Hardy did enough against Carolina to secure a spot. The Penn State product flashed as a return man while also putting together some solid defensive performances.
Safeties (4)- Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards, Damar Hamlin
Outside Looking in - Kareem Jackson, Terrell Burges, Dee Delaney, Kendall Williamson
Finally moving in the right direction health-wise, both Bishop and Edwards have returned to practice for the Bills. The former suffered a shoulder injury, keeping him out for all of the pre-season. Meanwhile, the latter was on the sidelines for a month due to a hamstring ailment. Rapp will be the starter at the strong safety position in week 1. The other three names remain in competition to see who can earn the job. While this remains the best group of safeties that Buffalo has, the position group remains an area of concern with explosive passing attacks all over the AFC.
Specialists (3)- Tyler Bass, Sam Martin, Reid Ferguson
Bass has struggled in training camp, dating back to his missed kick against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. Nonetheless, after signing his new four-year contract extension in April, the former sixth-round pick would cost Buffalo a combined $7 million in dead cap space over the next two seasons should they choose to release him.
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