2025 Roster Composition

[jwhit34]

This could be a very unique offseason in terms of roster building for the Bills.  I will break down into groups and positions:

 

Under Contract, Roster Locks (barring trades) - 36 total

QB (2) - Allen, Trubisky (outside chance of Mike White)

RB (2) - Cook, Davis

WR (3) - Shakir, Coleman, Samuel

TE (2) - Kincaid, Knox

OL (9) - Dawkins, Edwards (though Joe Marino had an interesting take on releasing him), McGovern, Torrence, Brown, Grable, Anderson, VanPran Granger, Vandemark

DL (6) - Oliver, Rousseau, Epenesa, Solomon, Carter, Jones (could cut and save a little but $7M cap hit)

LB (4) - Milano, Bernard, D Williams, Ulofoshio (don't think they give up on 5th rounder yet)

DB (5) - Taron Johnson, Benford, Rapp, Bishop, Elam (contract fully guaranteed would be $4.5 cap hit if released)

K (1) - Bass

LS (1) - Ferguson

Returner (1) - Codrington

 

Free Agents Highly Likely to Return (3)

WR (1) - Hollins

RB (1) - Ty Johnson

FB (1) - Gilliam

 

Punter (1) 

Either Martin or Camarda

 

That leaves 13 spots, which probably break down as follows:

 

WR - 1

TE - 1

DL - 4 probably 2 edge and 2 DT

LB - 1 or 2

CB - 2

S - 2

That's 11 or 12, could see a WR6, the 6th LB would be #53 or some other position. 

 

Players under contract that have logged meaningful playing time that could fill the 13 open spots:

C. Lewis

B. Spector

J. Ingram

D. Smoot (void year)

V. Miller

 

Q. Morris is a restricted free agent so he could return.

 

I think they move on from at least Smoot and Spector. Consensus opinion is that Von Miller will be released. 

 

There are probably around 10 open roster spots, which is far fewer than recent years. Factoring in that they currently have 8 draft picks and probably will get 2 comp picks, rookies will fill most of the remaining spots. If the comp picks end up in the 5th round, they have 7 in rounds 1-5. Those guys are making the team.

 

They will sign some free agents, probably at least 5-6.  Maybe not big names, but they always sign a bunch.

 

So the roster will probably not be a big mystery this year. So what will Beane do? I think it can go one of 3 ways:

1. No big changes, rely on the draft to continue to build depth and manage the cap. Roster 7-8 picks and fill in the rest with free agents. 

2. Since there are not many openings, trade some excess picks to move up in the 1st and 2nd round and have a better chance at landing a high impact player.

3. Trade a good player or two (Rousseau, someone on OL, D. Williams) along with picks to land a big time player like Garrett. 

 

It's pretty amazing to think the OL will essentially be the same for 3 seasons in a row, with the exception of a position switch (McGovern) and Edwards (who was OL #6) in and Morse out. 

 

People looking for substantial change will probably be disappointed. The good news is that there are still a lot of players who have not hit their ceiling yet. At a minimum, I'd say Shakir, Torrence, McGovern, Brown, Coleman, Kincaid, Rousseau, Benford, Bishop. 

[oldmanfan]

I think they’re going for a big name WR or DE in either trade or free agency.

[Augie]

Just now, oldmanfan said:

I think they’re going for a big name WR or DE in either trade or free agency.

 

In an ideal world it would be both. 

 

 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Thought I'd read Ferguson is a FA and isn't there a 4th QB under contract?  He was on IR all year, and seems his wife is the chief social organizer of the team?  And isn't there also a 3rd punter?  They signed on in Dec or so and didn't I read they just signed another within the past week??

 

So with as few potential roster openings it does bode well for the idea of trading some pics for high quality player or two.  I often read posts, the Bills need to draft 3 WR or 3 DL, (whatever) well for that idea to work, you actually have to have an open roster spot for these new players.

[Mark Vader]

23 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

In an ideal world it would be both. 

 

 

I think we should do what the Rams did. Trade away draft picks from now and into the future for established players on teams who aren't winning.

[Augie]

10 minutes ago, Mark Vader said:

I think we should do what the Rams did. Trade away draft picks from now and into the future for established players on teams who aren't winning.

 

I love the concept, but as always it depends on the price.

 

I chuckle at how easy it is for us to sit here in our recliners and call for this or that. You need value and reasonable people on the other end. I’m not sure if I’d love or hate dealing with Cleveland!  😂 

[Charles Romes]

I’d like to see them do a pretty good sized turnover except for Oline. Turnover has an intrinsic benefit as we saw last year. Continuity is overrated except for Oline. 

[Mark Vader]

30 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

I love the concept, but as always it depends on the price.

 

I chuckle at how easy it is for us to sit here in our recliners and call for this or that. You need value and reasonable people on the other end. I’m not sure if I’d love or hate dealing with Cleveland!  😂 

Yeah it is easy to say this stuff. 

 

I wouldn't want to deal with Cleveland either, but I'm not Beane, and I think he can work with anyone.

[Dr. Who]

Scenario #1 is more of the same. I would be disappointed if that were the strategy. I agree with those who have suggested that TP will want to build enthusiasm to sell PSLs for the new stadium. Further, there ought to be urgency to get Josh Allen to a Super Bowl while he is in his prime years. It's already a damn shame it hasn't happened.

 

 

[BringBackFergy]

Buffalo Joe Anderson!!!

[ghostwriter]

I’m hoping we draft a NT and sign one in Free Agency. It’s still early but I would like to see us draft Kenneth Grant and maybe go after someone like Tedarrell Slaton in Free Agency..

 

Slaton won’t cost much, he’ll probably get $4M/year and he’s a true nose. He’s 6’4 330lbs and is tough to move off of the LOS.

 

Maybe bring Daquan Jones or Jordan Phillips back at $1M/year?

[Desert Bills Fan]

Free agents that seem like a good fit, price/ talent/ age; to fill the few roster holes with vet players

 

one BIG splash signing: 

Tee Higgins CINCINNATI BENGALS WR

At 26 years old, Tee Higgins is in the prime of his career. He has been the No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati but now has his chance to show he's a true No. 1. He is big and coming off a season with 10 touchdowns in 12 games. His market will be robust…

 

Then some value players:

Divine Deablo LAS VEGAS RAIDERS LB

This 27-year-old has made a nice transition from college defensive back to NFL linebacker. He is naturally good in coverage, but he also has the speed to chase down plays in the run game. Injuries have kept him out of games at times, but he is worth a look for teams seeking a speed upgrade at linebacker

 

Jeremy Chinn WASHINGTON COMMANDERS SS

Jeremy Chinn took a one-year, prove-it deal with the Commanders and was a big part of their improved defense. Chinn was much better in coverage than he was in Carolina in his first four seasons. That matters. He turns 27 later this month

 

Elijah Molden LOS ANGELES CHARGERS CB

The Chargers traded a seventh-round pick before the season to land Elijah Molden. He paid off in a big way, giving their secondary some veteran stability on the back end. He did suffer a broken fibula in Week 15, but he should be a go for next season. He just turned 26.

 

Chauncey Golston DALLAS COWBOYS DE

Chauncey Golston is coming off a career-best 5.5-sack season to head into free agency on an upward note. He is a big-bodied edge who is just 26, which is why there should be a market for him. He played 72% of the Cowboys' defensive snaps last season.

 

D.J. Jones DENVER BRONCOS NT

This 30-year-old has been a reliable starter in both of his stops, first with the 49ers and then with the Broncos. He's a good run player who can occasionally push the pocket. He isn't going to wow anybody, but he gets the job done

 

Speed receivers:

Darius Slayton NEW YORK GIANTS WR

 Slayton is a speed receiver, and we know a lot of teams need help in that area. Slayton's numbers were down last season, his sixth with the Giants, but that had a lot do with Malik Nabers showing up, along with bad quarterback play. He'd be a nice third receiver for a team. He just turned 28, so he's two years away from the dreaded age of 30

 

Dynami Brown WASHINGTON COMMANDERS WR

This speed receiver finally started to live up to his draft hype late this season. He had 30 catches during the regular season, but then had 14 and a touchdown in three playoff games. He is 25
 

Marquise BrownKANSAS CITY CHIEFS WR

Hollywood Brown missed most of 2024 with a shoulder injury, but did come back down the stretch and the playoffs. He did some good things in the postseason, but was a no-show in the Super Bowl. He is a speed threat who turns 28 in June

 

Edited Saturday at 01:10 AM by Desert Bills Fan

[ngbills]

3 hours ago, Mark Vader said:

I think we should do what the Rams did. Trade away draft picks from now and into the future for established players on teams who aren't winning.

But imagine if we had traded away the Elam, Kincaid, Coleman, Bishop picks. Where would this be…wait. Yes I would take difference makers at this point over draft picks that struggle to contribute. 

[SoCal Deek]

Wow! Thanks the thorough breakdown. I have to believe this is much like Big Board in Beane’s office. I’m no draft or cap expert but seeing this over view I’m even more inclined to resign the few players you suggest, and then build everything else through the draft. The Bills have a core roster under contract and REALLY need to get it right with the draft picks they’ve accumulated. 

[Buddy Hix]

Look at that ***** roster, lol. One elite player for a regime that’s been in place for almost a decade. Josh Allen not getting every MVP vote is ridiculous…he’s got to do everything for this franchise.