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Predicting the Buffalo Bills initial 53-man roster had become a stale exercise under the previous regime.
There was a blueprint for the roster under Sean McDermott.
The impact of special teams was heavily considered when final position battles were discussed.
That may still be the case under new coach Joe Brady, but theres no data to base projections on.
Add in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard and his new 3-4 scheme, and figuring out who stays and who goes becomes more challenging.
Matt Parrino and Ryan Talbot put together their Bills 53-man roster projections below.
You can watch their podcast discussing their choices and read a few notes below on why they did what they did.
Matts 53-man roster projection: QB (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen RB (3): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson WR (6): D.J.
Moore, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Josh Palmer, Skyler Bell, Trent Sherfield PUP: Tyrell Shavers TE (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes OL (9): Dion Dawkins, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, OCyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry, Tylan Grable, Jude Bowry DL (6): Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, T.J.
Sanders, DeWayne Carter, Landon Jackson, Zane Durant LB (10): Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, Mike Danna, Michael Hoecht, Javon Solomon, T.J.
Parker, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Joe Andreessen CB (5): Christian Benford, Max Hairston, Davison Igbinosun, Toriano Pride Jr., Dee Alford S (6): Cole Bishop, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore, Jordan Hancock, Sam Franklin ST (3): Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr., Reid Ferguson (3) The newest addition to the Bills defensive lineedge rusher Mike Dannamakes the roster as a key rotational piece on Buffalos defensive line.
Danna has championship experience.
Plus, veteran pass rusher Michael Hoecht is coming off a torn Achilles in November of last season.
Hoecht and the Bills expect him to be ready to roll for training camp, but expectations need to be managed coming off that injury.
Danna gives the Bills another veteran pass rusher, and Leonhards plan seems to be to collect those types.
The interior defensive line features a large group of young, unproven talent.
Zane Durant is an exciting rookie prospect, but hell need a strong summer to earn a roster spot.
Keep an eye on DeWayne Carter as a potential trade candidate if veteran Phidarian Mathis out-performs him during camp and the preseason.
Trent Sherfield over Mecole Hardman came down to the veteran receivers versatility on special teams.
He can play boundary wide receiver and played a season in Bradys Bills offense.
The Bills could also opt for just five receivers and try to land both Sherfield and Hardman back on the practice squad.
The Bills have utilized a fullback in their offense for many years.
But veteran Reggie Gilliam left in free agency for New England, leaving a void in the offense.
Bills president/general manager Brandon Beane added veteran Ben VanSumeren and rookie undrafted free agent Jackson Acker.
One of those fullbacks could make the team, but the Bills could also add elsewhere and try to get one back on the practice squad.
Gilliam was a roster staple over the past few seasons but spent most of his early seasons on the p-squad.
Leonhard was in Denver last year on Vance Josephs staff, and the Broncos kept 12 defensive linemen.
Look for the Bills to do the same this year and trim elsewhere.
The Bills used a seventh-round pick on punter Tommy Doman Jr., and both of us think hell earn the starting job.
It wont be easy, though.
Mitch Wishnowsky was solid after joining the Bills after a few games last season.
Ryans 53-man roster projection: QB (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen RB/FB (4): James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Ben VanSumeren WR (6): DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell, Mecole Hardman PUP or IR: Tyrell Shavers TE (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes OL (9): Dion Dawkins, Alec Anderson, Connor McGovern, OCyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry, Jude Bowry, Tylan Grable DL (6): Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, Landon Jackson, TJ Sanders, Zane Durant, DeWayne Carter LB (9): Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, T.J.
Parker, Michael Hoecht, Javon Solomon, Terrel Bernard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen CB (6): Christian Benford, Max Hairston, Dee Alford, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock, TreDavious White (predicting he is re-signed) S (5): Cole Bishop, C.J.
Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore, Sam Franklin ST (3): Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr., Reid Ferguson TreDavious White is not on the Bills roster at the time of this writing.
That said, hes not currently on any roster, and Im not closing the door on his return.
After the team drafted Davison Igbinosun in the 2026 NFL Draft, Brandon Beane said, Corner is a premium position.
You cant have enough of those guys.
Toriano Pride Jr.
has a chance to show his worth this summer at training camp, but if he does not appear ready to contribute in a depth role as a rookie, Buffalo would be wise to bring back TreDavious White to compete for a depth role behind Christian Benford and Max Hairston.
The Bills have some sneaky trade candidates on their roster depending on how roster battles shake out this summer.
On the offensive line, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and Lloyd Cushenberry are two names to watch.
Buffalo re-signed Connor McGovern, but the backup job is up for grabs.
Whoever loses out between Van Pran-Granger and Cushenberry could be an attractive target for OL-needy teams.
The same can be said on the defensive line.
If Phidarian Mathis were to beat out DeWayne Carter, there could be a few teams willing to part with a late three-day pick for the former day two pick.
Is this the end of the road for Damar Hamlin in Buffalo? The veteran safety did not make either of our roster projections.
Its a numbers game, and its hard to find where he fits in on the roster.
Barring an injury, its hard to see Hamlin making the team with the likes of Cole Bishop, C.J.
Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore and Sam Franklin all in front of him.
The fullback position may be the most interesting one to watch at training camp.
There is no guarantee that the team will utilize a fullback as they have in the past, but a source tells me the Bills did attempt to re-sign Reggie Gilliam before losing him in free agency to the Patriots.
That alone tells me that Joe Brady may want a fullback on his final roster as long as one of the teams two options steps up this summer.
Jackson Acker was not seen in the spring, so he has some catching up to do in the battle against Ben VanSumeren.
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