Buffalo will have notable changes on offense and defense as the post-Sean McDermott era begins.
Quarterback (2)
Josh Allen, Kyle Allen
Quarterback is straightforward behind Josh Allen with Kyle Allen back to replace Mitchell Trubisky, while No. 3 quarterback Shane Buechele will almost certainly stick around on the practice squad.
Running back (4)
James Cook III, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Ben VanSumeren
Frank Gore Jr. apparently impressing in the spring is notable, but Ray Davis has shined in featured action so far in his career, and Ty Johnson remains the most trusted option in the passing game. At fullback, the battle to replace Reggie Gilliam will be decided between Ben VanSumeren and undrafted rookie Jackson Acker.
Wide receiver (5)
DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell (R)
It was very difficult to leave off a sixth wide receiver between Mecole Hardman Jr. and Trent Sherfield, as both are players I have always liked. But we are trying to predict here, and I could see general manager Brandon Beane instead opting to keep more depth on defense if they believe Skyler Bell is ready to contribute in Year 1. Also, keep in mind that Tyrell Shavers (knee) will be back at some point.
Tight end (3)
Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
Tight end is all but set with Dawson Knox taking a pay cut to stay in Buffalo, and Jackson Hawes established himself as the No. 3 tight end behind Dalton Kincaid and Knox. Buffalo seems unlikely to keep Shane Zylstra or Keleki Latu.
Offensive tackle (4)
Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Jude Bowry (R), Chase Lundt
The Bills were high on Jude Bowry as the No. 102 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and he is a roster lock behind Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown. After those three, Chase Lundt’s athleticism could give him the edge over Tylan Grable and Travis Clayton, but training camp will determine the winner.
Guard (4)
Alec Anderson, O’Cyrus Torrence, Austin Corbett, Ar’maj Reed-Adams (R)
Left guard is the most important position battle on the roster for Buffalo, as they need to replace David Edwards after he signed a big deal with the Saints. Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett are the candidates unless someone at center slides over, and seventh-rounder Ar’maj Reed-Adams is an underrated player who profiles perfectly as the backup to O’Cyrus Torrence on the right side.
Center (2)
Connor McGovern, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Connor McGovern has experience at guard, but I would assume the Bills want to keep him at the pivot. That leaves Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Lloyd Cushenberry III trying to make it at the final roster spot on the offensive line—and I’d lean towards Van Pran-Granger despite 80 career starts for Cushenberry with Denver and Tennessee.
Interior defensive line (6)
Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Zane Durant (R), Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter
The Bills switching to a 3-4 front under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard makes sense for them, and the starting trio of Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, and T.J. Sanders are the no-doubt roster locks. I would think fifth-round rookie Zane Durant—who we thought should have gone much earlier—will impress enough to make it, and Landon Jackson being a third-round pick last year might lead to Brandon Beane not wanting to move on as he transitions inside. DeWayne Carter is also a former third-rounder (in 2024), and he’ll mostly be contending with Phidarian Mathis for the backup nose tackle role.
Edge defender (6)
Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, TJ Parker (R), Mike Danna, Javon Solomon, Michael Hoecht
Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, and TJ Parker will be a strong trio on the edge, and former Chiefs starter Mike Danna should be favored to make the team despite a modest deal signed last month. Javon Solomon should benefit from the switch to a 3-4 as he enters his third season, so Michael Hoecht is the biggest question—as his fate might be determined by numbers, including the possibility of Buffalo keeping a sixth wideout instead of a sixth edge.
Linebacker (4)
Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Kaleb Elarms-Orr (R), Joe Andreessen
Matt Milano remains unsigned, but it seems the Bills want to turn the page on two of the standouts from the 2017 class in him and Tre’Davious White. The second linebacker spot alongside Terrel Bernard would look a lot better if Dorian Williams can fully emerge in a contract year, and Buffalo also spent a fourth-round pick on Kalen Elarms-Orr. Recent signing Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Jimmy Ciarlo will try to make a move this summer behind Joe Andreessen.
Cornerback (5)
Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Dee Alford, Davison Igbinosun (R), Dorian Strong
Five cornerbacks might be too light, but safeties C.J. Gardner-Johnson and rookie Jalon Kilgore can both play the slot—where Dee Alford was brought in as the starter. On the perimeter, the team needs Maxwell Hairston to step up across from Christian Benford in Year 2, and Davison Igbinosun could become a factor after Buffalo took him in the second round. Seventh-round pick Toriano Pride, 2025 fifth-rounder Jordan Hancock, and Daryl Porter Jr. will compete with Dorian Strong for the final spot or two.
Safety (5)
Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore (R), Sam Franklin Jr.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson will provide both versatility and some meanness to the backend for Buffalo—and the duo of him and Bishop will certainly play fast. Geno Stone could have a role, too, and Jalon Kilgore slipping to the fifth round was a surprise. Damar Hamlin is the notable cut at safety, but Sam Franklin Jr. is a standout performer on special teams and was re-signed on a three-year deal in the offseason.
Special teams (3)
Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr. (R), Reid Ferguson
Injuries combined with a reliability from Matt Prater led to a lost season for Tyler Bass in 2025, but there is currently no competition for him at kicker. Punting duties are a different story, and the team using a draft pick on Tommy Doman Jr. in the seventh round could give him the edge over Mitch Wishnowsky.
Injured (1)
WR Tyrell Shavers