MasterStrategist

Jury is out. Some posters think we won't, and will go with 6 LBs or a 6th WR. Personally, I think we keep 10 OL, 5 LBs, and 5 Wrs on the 53. Injuries to OL are bound to happen. We have a center with concussion history, Edwards coming off a serious concussion, and Brown hopefully is over his back issues/can manage it. All to say, not predicting an injury but chances are we will need that 10th OL...and I'd rather have a capable player, like Anderson, to help protect our Franchise QB. Not to mention Anderson likely is competing next year for a starter role, perhaps, or top backup. Roll with Klein on P/S and a few WRs (ie: Isabella, Shavers, Johnson). And see what happens come week 5/etc, when IR guys and Von are eligible. Chances are, we will have 1-2 other guys battling through multi-week injuries. OR best case, we have a healthy problem.

Dodson is not the S/T player that Matakevich is. And if we sign Kirksey, Dodsons role is relegated to 2nd/3rd string...where we have a 2nd year player in Bernard (who isn't going to be much worse, likely similar or better in some aspects). Then likely Klein on P/S, again not much drop off from Dodson, if any. All contingent on signing Kirskey, but Dodson has no role IMO.

Not to nitpick, but Cam is also fully capable of playing nickel. In fact listed as #2 on depth chart. I really think that's Neal's role though, in addition to S/T. Neal is not really a "big nickel", unless I'm thinking of that incorrectly. Thought that's typically a 3rd safety, I view Neal as a corner at this point. He's never been used in our defense as a safety. I'd say Rapp is our big nickel. But I'm all for going more traditional "dime" looks this season, on obvious passing downs. 4-1-6, take our MLB off the field and bring in Neal. Adds more speed, and frees up Milanos responsibilities.

99% chance this is BS. But for the 1%, I could see a team like Houston. Demeco connection, team with cap room. Teaming Bosa with rookie Will Anderson could instantly prop that defense, into Top 5 territory.

1. WR: I think Isabella goes to P/S, gives us a weekly call up option if desired. But think we only dress 5 WRs anyhow 2. LB: see us staying at 5, on the 53. Only dress 5 each week anyhow, Klein likely brought back to P/S. If we make a move for Kirksey, I think Dodson could/should be a potential cut. Use the P/S for LB#6 and potential WR#6 (Isabella, Shavers, etc -likely a S/T role if dressing anyhow). I see more value keeping 10 OL, for future and protecting against injuries in season. Anderson is likely a key backup/potentially ompeting for a starting C spot next season. He's more valuable to me than a 1-yr Dodson, who looked replaceable this preseason (that's only if we sign Kirskey, another option).

Makes sense. I think we have 1 roster opening (shorter and Spector to IR, and bring back Reid). So not sure we need to cut Anderson, yet. I'd be for signing a better version of Dodson, which is what Kirksey brings I think. But agree, it will come down to whether Coach is comfortable with 2 weeks for him, thoughts on Bernard, perhaps Klein (if he's on P/S) is break glass if Kirksey is slow on uptake of defense. Think we have options to bring in Kirksey, over Dodson, and at worse turn to Klein/Bernard week 1. That'd be the only move I see at this point.

Which position group do you think we need to add to?

I think you're right and I likely misinterpreted some information on Barkley, from earlier today. Seems he was put on season-ending IR, or at least didn't make the initial 53. So yeah 1 spot very likely, after Reid signed again. I'm hopeful for Kirksey, and cutting Dodson in return. Had hopes for Dodson, but he's looked lost. I only see us dressing 5 LBs each game, and think thats what we should roll with on the 53. And think Klein won't generate enough interest on open market and could go to P/S. He'd be good insurance, while Spector is on I/R Leaves me thinking backup RT is the open roster selection: 1. Anderson looked a bit shaky against Bears at RT. Think he's better suited at any of the IOL spots. IMO, he's being groomed for the Edwards/Bates role next year OR compete for starting C if this is Morse final year with us 2. VanDemark looked much more comfortable at LT. Think he'd be our top RT backup, ATM, but the supposed interest in Ifeldi makes sense. Making use of the P/S for our 6th LB and potential KR options, seems to make a lot of sense and gives us most value on the 53 IMO

From all the updates, appears like these will be moves made tomorrow: 1. In season IR -min 4 week out (3): Barkley, Shorter, Spector 2. Sign(1): Reid Ferguson That leaves us with 2 open roster spots. My guess would be backup RT and Kirksey at MLB. We have Evans, Johnson, Isabella as options for the P/S. Each provides KR options, as call ups.

Awesome, thank you for catching that! Just edited.

Agree, by my math...still need 2 more. Just posted 55 guys I accounted for, in the "official cut" thread

56 man roster, as of 5pm est 8/29: QB (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen RB (5): Cook, Harris, Murray, Johnson, Gilliam WR(6): Diggs, Davis, Harty, Shakir, Sherfield, Shorter OL(9): Dawkins, McGovern, Morse, Torrence, Brown, VanDeMark, Anderson, Edwards, Bates Te(3): Knox, Kincaid, Morris DL(10): Floyd, Jones, Ed, Groot, Settle, Phillips, Poona, Kingsley, AJE, Shaq LB(7): Dodson, Milano, Bernard, Klein, Dorian, Matakevich, Spector CB(6): Tre, Benford, Dane, Elam, Taron, Neal S(5): Poyer, Hyde, Rapp, Hamlin, Lewis ST(3): Ferguson, Martin, Bass Clearly 3 cuts missing. Possible we move 1-2 guys from above, to IR tomorrow. But first need to be at 53. *Edit: thank you to @BillsFanForever19catching Spector

I feel like he's a tweener type, OLB/end in a 3-4 scheme. He's going to be asked to go straight ahead, IMO...he just doesn't have the lateral agilty/quickness to be a dropping in coverage. But he might turn out OK, in that role. Goof luck to him, pretty sure Shoen was very high on him (recalling post draft interviews/limited videos of draftroom excitement)

Yeah, unfortunately Boogie hasn't shown any redeeming traits as a pass rusher; to generate much trade value. Better than nothing and clears a small amount of cap. Will be interesting to see if he's a better fit in their scheme though.

I don't think Dane has ever played nickel. I still think we find a way to keep Cam, solving our 3rd nickel (break glass option). Potentially Ingram if we can keep on p/s

If they sign Kirksey, should be instant release of Dodson and Klein. You have a proven vet and young guy (Bernard) for this year, Dorian potentially next year. Keep 5 LBs (Kirksey, Milano, Bernard, Williams, Big Red) and bring back a combo of AJ/Spector/Dodson to Practice squad

Neal for certain, he looked much improved in preseason too

Agree, which to me is a potential issue. Ingram would be a "fine" #4 outside corner, who can conveniently slide into the slot as well. I'd much rather move Dane, who I think is a depth level player/fringe starter. Benford likely has him beat out, and Elam has the most upside. Not ready to move on from Elam, but I'd be fine with a Dane trade that nets us a 5th or 6th (which we use to secure a backup RT). If I'm Beane, I'm trading pieces now that we have extreme depth/not much fall off at - who teams likely target on waivers. DE, IOL, Secondary are 3 spots where I see one of our cuts likely getting scooped up. Either IOL or secondary is where I expect Beane to keep an "extra" roster spot vs past years. Either Anderson or Cam. 2 trades that net us picks in the 5th-7th range, that we basically flip for a backup RT and backup QB...thats most ideal to me right now; even if we can get 1 improved that'd help

This summarizes where I stand as well. Great post! 1. Cam: I think we keep him, make this work by keeping just 5 LBs on the 53. Stash some LBs on P/S for weekly call ups/special teams 2. Jonathan: I think he gives us more than Shaq, in pass rush. Shaq's attitude/setting edge is valuable too though. In game situations, just don't see Jonathan being ahead of Floyd, AJE, Groot or Boogie in pass rush situations. Whereas, Shaq is probably our best run stopper at DE (not named Groot or Von). I'd try to sneak him onto the P/S, or if a team comes calling then shop him 3. Spector: my guess he makes the 53, then we put him on IR. Someone like Reid gets cut then immediately re signed 4. Q: I think he's a liability when in the game. I'd cut him and put on P/S. Backup RT is the primary need coming from cuts. MLB* is something I could see via trade but likely after season gets into full swing. *MLB: I think we play more "dime" this year (passing downs). Keeps our need for a 6th LB vs secondary in check (hence keeping Cam). If we look to improve at MLB, I think it's a trade deadline move...only after we see what Bernard/Dodson brings. We're limited now, best option is to adapt some subpackages that use current personell (ie: Neal or Rapp in dime)

I think they find a way to keep Cam Lewis and/or JaMarcus Ingram. This would require a likely trade at CB, if we kept both. Safer bet, I'd say we keep Cam and roll with just 5 LBs. I've been advocating using Neal/Rapp as 'dime'/subpackage looks. If that occurs, I could see the team justifying keeping an extra secondary player VS LB (especially since I'm not sure we have 6 LBs worth a roster spot)

Again, passing downs/3rd down defense. Not advocating Neal or Rapp as a primary MLB option. I'm talking specific subpackage/down and distance situations - where McD is either baiting a run or feels confident in a passing situation or specific personell. For example, it's 3rd and 4, but a team comes out in 12 personell, I'm likely staying in base nickle. But if it's 3rd and 4, with 3 or 4 Wrs on the field, I'm likely rolling with Dime (depending on field position, time remaining, etc). Bottom line, I don't think Dodson gives us much on 3rd downs. He's a liability in coverage, which limits what we do with Matt and Taron and our safeties; and he's not a great blitzer/spy type. Now I think Bernard could be more effective than Dodson, but we've yet to see him in preseason. He could be the answer as well, but from how Neal/Rapp have looked, I'd feel more confident in either of them Week 1 (in appropriate situations)

Good post, regardless of opinions. Maybe just not the right player, as I think Elam has more trade value/potential scheme transition. I still like Elam, and it's a good problem to have (depth at CB). But, it becomes a distraction in some ways when you have a 1st round talent on the bench/possibly not dressing on gameday. Certain positions make sense to have a rotation. I'm just not a huge fan of rotating players in secondary though (for a few main reasons), unless it's specific subpackages/down and distance situations. Hopefully whoever wins the CB2 battle provides a consistent presence/solid play. Best chance of that, from what I saw in preseason, has been Benford or Dane. Benford is a better player IMO (higher ceiling). If it was my call, I'd be hesitant to move Elam or any of the DBs right now. Ultimately, Dane might be the only one I'd be willing to shop. Less value than Elam, but we know his ceiling and it's not a SB-defense CB2 caliber player. I'd think he would be a backup RT trade piece. *edit*: what happens if Benford is CB2? Path 1: Dane is CB3 (outside), Elam might not dress some weeks. Path 2: we trade Dane (let's say hypothetically for a backup RT), Elam as CB3, JaMarcus Ingram makes roster and likely reserve/sits on gameday I'd vote Path 2, improve at backup RT and keep a versatile player like Ingram (over 1 year Dane).

In comparison to putting Dodson on the field during passing downs, yes Rapp and Neal helps that situation. That was my point. We have better talent at "dime" this year, vs our current MLB. And would give us more flexibility in using Milano/moving Taron and our safeties.

Neal has looked much improved and been flying all over the field. His biggest issue always seems to be holding/getting too handsy, with TEs and WRs. If that's mostly fixed, this should FINALLY be the year we roll with a primary dime defense on 3rd downs/obvious passing downs. Or Rapp. Both look capable, although I like Neal's speed and coverage skills better (if he decreases his penalties). We need more "team speed"/atheleticism in the secondary, Neal or Rapp helps with that. We haven't seen Bernard yet, but both guys look way better than Dodson. Hoepfully Coach has schemes ready for dime packages, I'm talking 4 man fronts mostly 4-1-6 (not the 3-2-6 looks we've seen against Chiefs)...that can be a huge weapon to get more creative with using Milano and slot blitzes.

Agree, Grier is not our backup QB answer, but neither is Barkley IMO. Just depends if they value Matt's QB room presence VS potential development shot with Grier. Neither is rosterable on the 53, just talking P/S and who they might target for that role. Can't see us carrying 3 QBs on the 53. So unless they swing a trade (ie: Davis Mills type), which I'd consider highly unlikely OR some unusual cut (ie: Mason Rudolph type), then it will be Kyle Allen this year. Shall see what Beane has up his sleeve. More pressing to me is MLB. I'm guessing they'll take the "wait and see" approach, make a move at deadline if needed. Backup RT is where I could see them moving a late pick (or one of our DEs, Cam Lewis types) to try and find the player that is buried on a team's depth chart.