Bills 2024 Roster Breakdown (Current status)

[GASabresIUFan]

Current starters

 

OFFENSE (10/11)

QB - Allen

RB - Cook

WR1 - Diggs

Slot - Shakir

WR2 - ????

TE - Kincaid/Knox

OT - Brown & Dawkins
OG - Torrence & Edwards

C - McGovern

DEFENSE (9/11)

DT - Oliver & ????

EDGE - Rousseau & Miller

LBs - Benard & Milano

Hybrid - T. Johnson

CBs - Benford & Douglas

S - Rapp & ????

 

After today’s craziness, it looks like we have 18 of our 22 starters for next season now under contract.
 

On offense Beane created a hole at center when he cut Morse and traded Bates.  How he fixes it will be interesting to watch between now and the season’s opening game.  Do they re-sign Morse to a smaller contract or sign some other FA?  Do they like Anderson enough to give him a shot at the job?  What about using a premium pick on a center like Van Pran in the draft?

 

The other big question mark is who will replace Davis at the WR 2.  IMHO the emergence of Shakir and Kincaid lessened the importance of a Davis type receiver in this scheme, but we definitely need someone who can stretch the field better than the departed Harty and Sherfield and even better than the returning pass catchers.  There is a huge debate on the board about adding a vet to replace Davis or giving the job over to a rookie. I’m all in on drafting at least one talented WR.

 

On defense we still need another starter at safety, another starter at DT and someone to challenge Miller for a starting edge role.  Deep safety class in the draft and some very nice players at both DT and Edge.  That said, I believe Beane will sign some FAs to pencil into the starters jobs, but won’t mind if a kid or two beat them out.   I know they like Jonathan upfront and I think they’d love to bring back Jones if they could.  That said a youth movement is clearly underway in Buffalo and not a moment to soon.

 

Edit: There is allegedly a report from Ian Rappaport claiming the Bills plan to move McGovern to center.  Does this mean Edwards get a shot a starting guard spot or did OG become a big draft priority.  Report confirmed by Tim Graham and posted below.  Updated the starting lineups to reflect the change.

Edited March 8 by GASabresIUFan

[GunnerBill]

If Rapp is a starter we are in trouble.

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

If Rapp is a starter we are in trouble.

 

Even if a fair amount of that "up to" 14.5 is incentives - that's still a starter contract. A low end starting contract, but that's not the 1 year 1.7m we signed him for last year as a Backup.

 

McDermott always values players who have experience with him and in his scheme over anything else. I thought we all knew Rapp was coming back as a low priced Starting option. It was almost always mentioned in any forecast of offseason predictions.

 

I don't think he's as terrible as you're making him out to be. I preferred having him out there when Hyde was out, honestly. He singlehandedly closed the Miami game for us. He has years of starting experience and is entering Year 2 with McDermott.

 

I don't see having him out there as 1 of our Starting Safeties as being a bigger liability than what we had last season and I suspect when the actual numbers come out, it'll be less than Hyde or Poyer.

Edited March 7 by BillsFanForever19

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I mean, even if a fair amount of that "up to" 14.75 is incentives - that's still a starter contract. A low end starting contract, but that's not the 1 year 1.7m we signed him for last year as a Backup.

 

McDermott always values players who have experience with him and in his scheme over anything else. I thought we all knew Rapp was coming back as a low priced Starting option. It was almost always mentioned in any forecast of offseason predictions.

 

I don't think he's as terrible as you're making him out to be. I preferred having him out there when Hyde was out, honestly. He singlehandedly closed the Miami game for us. He has years of starting experience and is entering Year 2 with McDermott.

 

I don't see having him out there as 1 of our Starting Safeties as being a bigger liability than what we had last season and I suspect when the actual numbers come out, it'll be less than Hyde or Poyer.

 

He sucks in coverage. Like really sucks. And while he is a hard hitter I don't love his tackling technique either. I hope he does not start. If he does we have a problem.

[BillsFanForever19]

11 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

He sucks in coverage. Like really sucks. And while he is a hard hitter I don't love his tackling technique either. I hope he does not start. If he does we have a problem.

 

I mean, you can *hope* he's not the Starter - but I think that's false hope.

 

Looking at a 3 year deal that's up to 14.5 - that doesn't sound like Backup money to me for the Safety position. Even if that's a lot of incentives, I don't see them even paying 3m aav for a Backup Safety. We only paid 1.7m for that role last season.

Edited March 7 by BillsFanForever19

[GunnerBill]

28 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I mean, you can *hope* he's not the Starter - but I think that's false hope.

 

Looking at a 3 year deal that's up to 14.5 - that doesn't sound like Backup money to me for the Safety position. Even if that's a lot of incentives, I don't see them even paying 3m aav for a Backup Safety. We only paid 1.7m for that role last season.

 

I agree it doesn't sound like backup money. I think the best case is they sign another vet in FA, draft a rookie in the middle rounds and that guy hits immediately in camp and bashes Rapp out of the way and back to the bench where he belongs. 

[Ray Stonada]

I agree Rapp looked bad, but it looked like he turned a corner the last three games of the regular season or so. Less kamikaze, more anticipating the play. He looked like a young Poyer out there.

Edited March 7 by Ray Stonada

[SoCal Deek]

On 2/29/2024 at 9:35 AM, GASabresIUFan said:

Group 1 (29) - Players certain or almost certain to return

Offense (13)

QB - Allen, Trubisky - (signed 3/6)

RB - Cook

WR - Diggs, Shakir

TE - Knox, Kincaid

OL - Brown, Dawkins, Torrence, McGovern, Van Demark, and Edwards (Re-signed 2yrs $6million)

 

Defense (13)

DL - Rousseau, Miller, Oliver, Jonathan

LB - Milano, Benard, Williams, Spector

CB - Benford, Douglas, Elam, Johnson

S - Rapp - reports have him re-signing (3 yrs $14.5)

 

Specialist (3) - Bass (PK), Ferguson (LS), (P) Haack (re-signed on 3/6)

 

Group 2 (4) - Players under contract likely to return, but could also end up as cap casualties if K's not restructured

OL - Morse, Bates (traded to Chicago); Morse release 3/6

S - Poyer - Poyer released 3/6

P - Martin

 

Group 3 (5) - Returning Developmental players

WR- Shorter

OL - Anderson, Doyle

DL - Ankou, Cline

 

Group 4 (6) - Potential (likely?) cap casualties

RB - Hines   Hines to be released (3/3)

FB - Gilliam

WR - Harty - Harty released 3/6

CB - Neal, White - Neal released 3/6, White released with a 6/1 designation

S - Hamlin

 

Group 5 (13) - Futures/Reserve players

QB - Buechele

WR - Isabella, Hamler, Shavers, Thompson

RB - Evans

TE - McKitty, Davidson

OL - Gouriage, Jarvis

CB - Ingram, Brown

S - Williamson

 

Assuming all of the players in groups 1-3 return, that's 35 of 53 roster spots already spoken for. Admittedly the group 3 players could all end up on the practice squad.  Except for Hamlin, all the Group 4 players may return, but it will be at lower cap figures than they currently possess.  Hamlin's cap figure is low (1.05 with a 40k dead cap) it's just a question of whether he can earn a job on the 53-man roster.  Right now I don't see any of the Group 5 players making the team, but that's what camp is for.

 

Group 6 (11) - FAs who could be re-signed (or who people here may want re-sign).  (I only have an interest in Jones, Epenesa, Ty Johnson and Edwards)

DT - Jones, Joseph

Edge - Epenesa, Floyd

RB - Johnson

S - Rapp - reports have him re-signing (3 yrs $14.5)

OL - Edwards - Re-signed (2 years $6 million)

TE - Morris

CB - Lewis, Jackson

LB -Dodson

 

Group 7 (12) - Other FAs

DL - Phillips, Settle, Ford, Lawson

QB - K Allen

RB - Murray, Harris, Fournette

WR - Sherfield, Davis

LB - Matakevich, Klein

 

Group 8 - FA's signed

P - Haack (signed 3/6)

QB - Trubisky (signed 3/6)

 

 

 

You know how big a fan I am of your thread and roster list. I wish more people on here would take the time to review it, instead of going crazy over each individual move. You were spot on! It’s as if you have a peep hole into OBD. Very well done! 
 

So I guess all that’s left now is to see what happens with Gilliam, Hamlin, and Martin? 

[GASabresIUFan]

58 minutes ago, SoCal Deek said:

You know how big a fan I am of your thread and roster list. I wish more people on here would take the time to review it, instead of going crazy over each individual move. You were spot on! It’s as if you have a peep hole into OBD. Very well done! 
 

So I guess all that’s left now is to see what happens with Gilliam, Hamlin, and Martin? 

Given Hamlin's contract, there is a good chance he comes to camp to fight for a roster spot.  Any replacement will cost about the same cap wise and it's only 40k of dead money if he doesn't make the team.  Whether he stays or goes now really depends on how McBeane feel about his future.  Gilliam may have just survived special teams ace roulette.  With Neal and Matakevich gone, Gilliam is our only returning special teams ace.  That said, he still has to be on thin ice.

 

It's now Martin vs Haack.  Martin is the better punter, maybe, but clearly there was something off between him and Bass.  Maybe management thinks Haack is the better holder.  Let the camp battle ensue.

 

PS: the only move that was a surprise so far was the re-signing of Rapp.  He did not grade our very good last season (either did Poyer) and to lock him up for possibly the next 3 years was a bit shocking, especially at the reported price tag.  I guess we are just going to have to trust McD on how to coach up a DB.

 

Edited March 7 by GASabresIUFan

[BuffaloRebound]

They probably sign Fatukasi or Jones before free agency, bring back Ty Johnson, then sign a WR like Bourne and a starting caliber safety in free agency then wait to see who they draft before dipping back into free agency 

[GASabresIUFan]

Saw this from Tim Graham.  It confirms the reports others have mentioned from Ian Rappaport.   

 

If Edwards is moving to guard, I suspect we'll now see a higher draft pick than we expected on another O Lineman.  Beane hit a HR with Torrence.  Can he do it again?

[GASabresIUFan]

General Roster situation based on last year's 51 player allocation.  Last year's number in (x).

 

Specialists (3) - Current 4 - Bass, Ferguson, Haack and Martin - expect Martin to get cut soon or a camp battle for the spot with Haack

 

Offense (17 of 23)

QB(2) - Current 2- Allen & Trubisky

RB/FB (4) - Current 2 - Cook and Gilliam, but I think Gilliam may still be on the chopping block

TE (3) - Current 3 - Knox, Kincaid and Morris

WR (5) - Current 3 - Diggs, Shakir, Shorter (NHL experienced receivers Hamler & Isabella are on futures/reserve deals) 

OL (9) - Current 7- Brown, Dawkins, McGovern, Torrence, Edwards, Anderson and Van Denmark (Doyle returning to compete for a job)

 

Still need 2 RB, 2 OL, and 2 WR (plus Shorter may not win a job in camp)

 

Defense (14 of 25)

DL (10) - Current 4-6 - Rousseau, Miller, Oliver, Jonathan (plus dev players Ankou and Cline)

LB (5) - Current 4 - Milano, Benard, Williams and Spector

CB/DB/S (10) - Current 6 - Johnson, Douglas, Benford, Elam, Rapp & Hamlin

 

Still need as many as 6 DL (mostly DT), 1 LB, 1-2 CBs & 2-3 safeties.

 

Bottomline: Players from free agency, the draft, developmental and futures/Reserve players are competing for 6 jobs on offense and 11 on defense.  Cap Cost for the 35 listed players is currently $236.5. (Subtract approx $1 for whomever loses the Punter camp battle). If Hamler, Doyle, Cline and Ankou make the team, that brings the total to 240.6 for 38 players net of the punter camp battle).

Edited March 9 by GASabresIUFan

[GASabresIUFan]

With the re-signings of Lewis and Epenesa the defense is rounding out.  Getting AJ back is a huge boost to the defense.  He was one of the guys who steadily improved over the course of the season.  Still need at least 2 safeties, a DT (or 2) and one more edge rusher.  

 

 

[Big Blitz]

Getting closer to rounding out the Defense.  

 

 

Need a starting 1 tech DT and a backup.  
 

Need another 3 tech.  
 

2 more rotational DEs 

 

2 more safeties.   

[Pete]

21 minutes ago, Big Blitz said:

Getting closer to rounding out the Defense.  

 

 

Need a starting 1 tech DT and a backup.  
 

Need another 3 tech.  
 

2 more rotational DEs 

 

2 more safeties.   

good list.  LB and RB are sneaky needs too

[GASabresIUFan]

Jones re-signs. That's great news.

 

Only starters left to find are a boundary WR and a Safety.

 

Interesting that of the Group 6 players people here wanted re-signed a fair number have returned in Jones, Epenesa, Edwards, Rapp, Morris and Lewis.  I listed 11 players in that group. 6 have re-signed and only Floyd has gone elsewhere.

 

 

Edited March 12 by GASabresIUFan

[GunnerBill]

13 hours ago, Pete said:

good list.  LB and RB are sneaky needs too

 

Is linebacker a need? They have Milano coming back, Bernard who was excellent last year, a 3rd round pick they presumably still want to develop in Williams and Spector who was fine in spot duty as backup. I see it as the one position they don't have a need - beyond probably needing a 5th body for the backend of the roster.

[SoCal Deek]

7 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Jones re-signs. That's great news.

 

Only starters left to find are a boundary WR and a Safety.

 

Interesting that of the Group 6 players people here wanted re-signed a fair number have returned in Jones, Epenesa, Edwards, Rapp, Morris and Lewis.  I listed 11 players in that group. 6 have re-signed and only Floyd has gone elsewhere.

 

 

Just one small correction to your initial list. Floyd should be bolded as having signed with SF….no? 

[Bruffalo]

On 3/7/2024 at 3:02 AM, GunnerBill said:

If Rapp is a starter we are in trouble.

Everyone said a similar thing about rolling with Bernard as the starter at LB last season.  

 

Rapp was mostly fine last season except for the penalties, which are going to have a lot of variance from season to season. Another year in the system and I think he's serviceable as a starter. They'll probably want to invest in another veteran or mid draft pick though. 

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, Bruffalo said:

Everyone said a similar thing about rolling with Bernard as the starter at LB last season.  

 

Rapp was mostly fine last season except for the penalties, which are going to have a lot of variance from season to season. Another year in the system and I think he's serviceable as a starter. They'll probably want to invest in another veteran or mid draft pick though. 

 

I don't think he was most fine. I think he was mostly bad. Not liability awful, but he is a backup and played like it.