Plenty will change with signings, releases, camp battles, injuries, and other transactions leading up to Week 1, but the Buffalo Bills kick off our 53-man roster projections around the NFL.
Quarterback (2)
Josh Allen, Mitchell Trubisky
The Bills brought back Mitchell Trubisky last year and have him under contract as the No. 2 behind reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen for one more season. It’s unlikely Mike White or Shane Buechele is kept on the roster as a third quarterback, but both can make the practice squad.
Running back (4)
James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam
The contract situation for James Cook is a storyline to watch, but Buffalo has indicated they expect him to play on his current deal in 2025—showing he can continue perform at the level he did at the end of last season. If something goes sideways there, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson would lead the backfield with a veteran addition, and Gilliam is safe as the fullback.
Wide receiver (6)
Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore, Laviska Shenault Jr.
We know at least the top four is locked in at wide receiver, and recent signing Elijah Moore—who hasn’t had great quarterback play since entering the league—should make the team with a strong summer. Assuming six wideouts are kept, the final spot will come down to Laviska Shenault Jr., KJ Hamler, Tyrell Shavers, Jalen Virgil, and seventh-round pick Kaden Prather. The real competition for Shenault could be cornerbacks Brandon Codrington and Daequan Hardy with all three aiming to win the primary returner job.
Tight end (3)
Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes (R)
Buffalo is counting on a healthier Dalton Kincaid to be an impact player in 2025, and Dawson Knox is an important complementary option with at least 60% of the snaps played in each of the past two seasons. Fifth-round rookie Jackson Hawes is the best bet to get the final spot with Quintin Morris currently a free agent, and he should provide a boost as a blocker.
Offensive tackle (4)
Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Ryan Van Demark, Chase Lundt (R)
Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown lead one of the best offensive lines in the league as a dominant duo protecting the edges, and the Bills have two impressive athletes in six-foot-six Ryan Van Demark and six-foot-seven rookie Chase Lundt as developmental options behind them. Tylan Grable made a start last year in the season finale, and it’s basically a toss-up between him and Lundt for the fourth spot at tackle.
Interior offensive line (5)
David Edwards, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Alec Anderson, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
The Bills should be happy with their continuity by returning all five starters up front, and they’ve been fortunate to avoid injury issues on the interior. Still, the tackle versatility for Alec Anderson gives Buffalo some options in terms of their depth, and Kendrick Green could also make the team as a guard (pushing out Chase Lundt)—or even take over for Sedrick Van Pran-Granger as the backup center depending on how things go in the preseason.
Defensive end (5)
Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson (R), Javon Solomon
We can lock in Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa as mainstays on the edge, and Joey Bosa was the big-ticket acquisition this offseason to help Buffalo finally generate consistent pressure in January. The defense won’t have Michael Hoecht early in the year due to a PED suspension, but third-round pick Landon Jackson will bring added size and relentlessness—and Hoecht being unavailable to begin 2025 increases the likelihood of Javon Solomon making the team again.
Defensive tackle (5)
Ed Oliver, DaQuon Jones, T.J. Sanders (R), Deone Walker (R), DeWayne Carter
The Bills also have a suspension at defensive tackle with Larry Ogunjobi getting hit with a six-game ban along with Michael Hoecht after the two signed in free agency, but Buffalo made sure to bolster the interior with No. 41 overall pick T.J. Sanders and the monstrous Deone Walker (who lasted until early Day 3) anyway. Plus, we are high on DeWayne Carter entering Year 2, so the three youngsters will be relied upon to bring energy behind Ed Oliver and DaQuon Jones.
Linebacker (5)
Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano, Dorian Williams, Baylon Spector, Joe Andreessen
Special teams will be a major factor for the final few roster spots in Buffalo, and Joe Andreessen was a core piece last year to help give him the edge over a possible fifth safety. Focusing on defense, Matt Milano and Dorian Williams should continue to split time alongside Terrel Bernard, and Baylon Spector showed well when stepping in at times in 2024.
Cornerback (7)
Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Maxwell Hairston (R), Tre’Davious White, Dorian Strong (R), Cam Lewis, Dane Jackson
First-round pick Maxwell Hairston might be brought along slowly with Tre’Davious White mentoring him and possibly starting across from Christian Benford in Week 1, but we know there are four spots secure with those three and Taron Johnson (perhaps the NFL’s top slot defender). The depth is where the competition is expected to be fierce, and it could prompt the Bills to keep seven cornerbacks—with rookie Dorian Strong being a solid value in the sixth round, Cam Lewis bringing versatility as a six-game starter in 2024, and Dane Jackson returning to Buffalo after one season with the Panthers. Ja’Marcus Ingram, Brandon Codrington, and Daequan Hardy shouldn’t be counted out either.
Safety (4)
Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock (R)
Safety was thought to be a position that might be addressed with more significant changes this offseason, but Damar Hamlin was brought back on a one-year deal after testing the market—so the only additions were Darrick Forrest and fifth-rounder Jordan Hancock. The expectation is that Cole Bishop will emerge in his second season to push Damlin into the No. 3 role, and Forrest could be kept instead of a seventh cornerback with Hancock having slot versatility.
Special teams (3)
Tyler Bass, Jake Camarda, Reid Ferguson
Tyler Bass had a shaky stretch that made a replacement seem like a real possibility early last year, but he settled down and nailed all six of his field goals in the postseason—including two from 50+ yards—to have Buffalo confident heading into 2025. The battle here is between Jake Camarda and Brad Robbins at punter.
Players not available for Week 1 (2)
DE Michael Hoecht, DT Larry Ogunjobi