A UDFA recruit to be part of the team?

The Buffalo Bills will look to fill four starting spots on defense and three on offense when they roll out the blocks for training camp in July.

General manager Brandon Beane overhauled the roster this offseason, so the look and feel of the team will be drastically different in 2024.

The Bills are cash strapped at the moment (around $2 million in salary cap space), but will receive a nice raise next month when Tre’Davious White’s release after June 1 is processed. Don’t get too excited, Bills fans. Beane said most of that money will be used to sign the team’s 10 rookies and practice squad players.

“When you count your 53 plus your practice squad, practice squads are so big that you have to carry more cap money than before COVID, when practice squads were smaller,” said Beane. “So there’s not much to do. Can we do a little? Yes.”

Buffalo has 86 of its 90 available roster spots filled (counting the 11 undrafted free agent signings that have yet to be announced by the team) and many questions about who will earn spots on the initial roster of 53 players on the team. It’s too early for this exercise, but let’s use it as a starting point before Friday’s rookie minicamp.

Quarterback (2): Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky

CUT: Shane Buechele

No big surprise here. The Bills are ahead on Buechele, but Trubisky has a pretty easy path to the initial 53-man roster. Buffalo signed Trubisky to back up Josh Allen after he played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Trubisky had the same role with Buffalo during the 2021 season.

Returning (4): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Reggie Gilliam

CUT: Darrynton Evans, Frank Gore Jr.

The investment in Davis in last month’s draft shouldn’t come as a surprise. Over the past few seasons, the Bills have made a habit of adding talent on Days 2 and 3 at the running back position. Guys like Devin Singletary and Zack Moss are no longer in Buffalo, but Beane made sure he had a plan to replace them when they left.

Davis may only have a complementary role as a rookie, but the opportunities will only increase over the course of his rookie contract. Evans is a fun camp player to watch, but he only has an outside chance of making the top-53. Gore Jr. is a likely candidate for the practice squad.

Wide Receiver (7): Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, Justin Shorter, Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler

CUT: Quintez Cephus, Andy Isabella, Tyrell Shavers, Bryan Thompson, Xavier Johnson, Lawrence Keys

The first four names on this list are likely locks to make the 53. Mack Hollins, who signed as a free agent in March, received rave reviews early in his tenure with the Bills. Coleman projects as the team’s best boundary player, and Samuel and Shakir will see significant time throughout the lineup. After that, things get a little tricky.

Shorter was a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft, but didn’t play a single game a year ago due to a nagging hamstring injury. Shavers is a name to watch after Beane mentioned him specifically as someone who has impressed so far this offseason. However, Shorter helps on special teams, so he gets the nod over Shavers.

Then I have the Bills keeping Claypool and Hamler in a bit of a curveball situation. The truth is that both players are Beane’s (cheap) dice rolls. Hamler hasn’t been relevant in years due to injuries, and Claypool has worn out his welcome everywhere he’s gone. But the Bills need to find a deep threat. Gabe Davis was their best option last season, but he’s gone, as is Stefon Diggs. Coleman might be able to contribute in that department, but he’s more of a bulldozer than a speed car.

Claypool proved during his rookie season that he could win on the outside when he had nine touchdowns and a season-long 84-yard reception, paired with former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger . Hamler has never played with an elite quarterback. The two can see if they can vibe with Allen to start the season.

Tight end (3): Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Quintin Morris

CUT: Tre McKitty, Zach Davidson

McKitty is a name to watch when it comes to taking the spot Morris has held over the past few seasons. But Morris’ special teams feel is so strong that it should earn him a spot again this season. He has also been a reliable pass catcher when asked to replace Kincaid or Knox in the passing game.

Offensive Line (9): Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Connor McGovern, David Edwards, O’Cyrus Torrence, Ryan Van Demark, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, La’el Collins, Alec Anderson

CUT: Tylan Grable, Tommy Doyle, Kevin Jarvis, Will Clapp, Keaton Bills, Richard Gouraige, Gunner Britton

Exemption: Travis Clayton (International Pathway Program)

Grable could be an interesting possibility to beat out the veteran Collins if the rookie has a strong summer. But the most likely outcome is that there isn’t enough room for the former high school quarterback and he lands on the practice squad.

Doyle is a former fifth-round pick who failed to stay on the field. He will seriously push for a spot on the team if he has a good summer. It will be interesting to see if the Bills return him to playing primarily tackle. Clapp was likely a lock as a backup center before the Bills signed Van Pran-Granger, who could push for a starting spot by the end of the preseason.

Defensive line (10): Von Miller, Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Javon Solomon, Dawuane Smoot, Kingsley Jonathan, Ed Oliver, Daquan Jones, DeWayne Carter, Austin Johnson

CUT: DeShawn Williams, Casey Toohill, Kameron Cline, David Ugwoegbu, Rondell Bothroyd, Eli Ankou, Branson Deen

It’s a tough transition for Williams, but his path to the practice squad appears painless. He sat in free agency for a while before the Bills signed him and is now becoming a bit more replaceable with third-round pick DeWayne Carter in the mix.

The edge rusher room is a complicated breakdown at this point. Beane will likely add another player at some point this summer. Beyond Rousseau and Epenesa – neither of whom are feared as a passer – the Bills have a number of question marks on the outside.

Miller is the biggest question mark of all. Can he return to form, or will the Bills have to make moves to replace an aging star coming off an injury? Jonathan has been in the Bills’ good graces and has flashed at times. He could compete for a roster spot with Soloman, who the Bills took in the fifth round in April. Toohill could be in the mix for the final spot or maybe even an 11th spot on the defensive line.

Linebacker (5): Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Nicholas Morrow, Deion Jones

CUT: Baylon Spector, Edefuan Ulofoshio

Spector seemed to be on an upward trend over the past two seasons and was even competing for the middle linebacker position at the start of training camp last year. But he can’t stay healthy. Ulofoshio, who the Bills took in the fifth round this year, could push Jones into the final spot. Or, if the Bills only keep six receivers, they can use the open spot for the former Washington star who projects as a special teams contributor.

Defensive Backs (10): Christian Benford, Rasul Douglas, Kaiir Elam, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Taron Johnson, Daequan Hardy, Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Mike Edwards, Cam Lewis

CUT: Kyron Brown, Te’Cory Couch, Kent-H Lovely, Damar Hamlin, Kendall Williamson

The cornerback is a simple projection. Hardy is the only cornerback that requires a single thought. But considering he’s the only punt returner on the roster, he seems primed to move up a spot. Next came the difficult decision to move on from Damar Hamlin.

The Bills could look to trade Hamlin before final cuts, or he could push Lewis for the final safety spot. The problem is that the Bills played Lewis against Hamlin last year and gave the UB product a two-year contract this offseason.

Specialists (3): Tyler Bass, Jack Browning, Reid Ferguson

CUT: Sam Martin, Matt Haack

Here’s a little curve. The Bills haven’t even made their undrafted free agent class official yet, but they are expected to sign San Diego State punter Jack Browning. A quick YouTube search yields positive reviews of Browning, who will be competing in a major punter competition this summer.

Martin has been average and Haack is only back because of his retention ability. Bass had an offseason last year and Haack could help get his completion percentage back close to 90 percent. The Bills like athletic punters who have good control and power. Browning fits that description and could push for the job.

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