BillsFanForever19

When Harty took all the 1st Team Return reps in the final Pre-Season game, that was that. His only path to the roster was playing Returner so that Harty could focus on offense. He was your yearly Pre-Season underdog darling. In the end, Pre-Season performance really matters little compared to the numbers game and what developmental plans and investments he's put in on guys above them.

It's actually 56. We need to make 3 moves. You forgot Spector from your list.

With the cuts, trade, and IR's announced we're still not at 53. Must be a few that haven't leaked out yet.

Elam won't be traded. They aren't giving up on a 1st Round Pick after one season. Shaq Lawson on a 1 year deal isn't getting us anything. He signed for league minimum just before the Draft after weeks on the market. He has no value.

It's Keenum returning, in my opinion. They want to hold on to that 3rd Round compensatory pick and this late into the game, they'll value his knowing the system, players, and coaches.

When it comes to Linebacker, as I've said in the past, I think it's extremely unlikely that a.) a Starting caliber player is going to become available and b.) that McDermott is going to start a guy there that would be learning on the fly. This is a coach who notoriously brings new players along very slowly. He was saying Nyheim Hines needed more practice time and more time with the playbook months after getting him, as to why he wasn't getting more reps. And RB is one of the easiest positions to transition. Play calling MLB is one of the hardest. I think one of the main reasons we went with the guys we went with and re-signed AJ Klein amongst other FA options is because they all have familiarity in the system. Dodson won't be cut. He started both Pre-Season games. After he was pulled in favor of Klein in Game 2, he was back in the Starting Lineup for Game 3. At worst, he'll be a reserve. You don't go from Starting to cut. Quessenberry also won't be cut. Save for a unlikely veteran OT signing just before the start of the season. They aren't going to go with two players who have a combined 0 snaps in Regular season play as the backup OT's. Basham being moved is a possibility. His starting the game may have been a showcase move. Though I wouldn't be surprised, I don't necessarily expect it as Floyd, Epenesa, and Lawson are all on the last years of their deal. On Q - as I said above, regardless of how he's looked, the team isn't going to go with two OT's who have never played a down in the league as the backups. If Shell hadn't retired or Doyle hadn't gotten hurt, maybe they'd cut him. But at this point, they're going to keep him. Miller is definitely going to stay on PUP, in my opinion. There was a tweet from a Doctor like a week ago commenting on the work he was doing and said that he's not far enough along as he expected and even pontificated he may have had a minor setback. They're going to take their time with him. Cam Lewis comes down to a numbers game. I don't see us keeping 11 DB's on the 53. And he's the 11th DB, in my opinion. I don't agree that we can't sneak him on the Practice Squad. Fans play the "there's no way they'll make the PS" game every offseason and 99 times out of 100, we do. It isn't as prevalent that teams sign players from other teams to their 53 before the start of the season as is made out to be. And I don't think Cam would be one of those players. He's been a PS guy first for us for years. He gets a lot of usage because he's the first guy up if there's an injury at any position on the Secondary. I think it will be the same for him this season. Baylon Spector.... I don't know. Honestly, I think his injury is a blessing in disguise for him. Otherwise, I saw him as a cut that would end up on the Practice Squad. We aren't going to keep more than 6 LB's. Going into Training Camp, I felt drafting another LB this year as well as re-signing Dodson and Klein had him on the outside looking in. Obviously Milano isn't going anywhere. Bernard and Williams being Day 2 Draft Picks over the past two seasons are going to get time and are safe. Matakevitch is our Special Teams captain, in a year where we lost multiple Special Teamers, so he's safe. So that leaves 2 spots for Dodson, Klein, and Spector. Spector did get a run with the 1's early in Camp when they were giving all the guys who weren't Milano or Dorian a shot. But after that, he was exclusively running with the 3rd or 4th teams. Which given how Dodson has performed and what Klein is, really isn't saying much for how they viewed him. And with Bernard missing most of Camp and all of the Pre-Season and Dodson underperforming, Klein needs to be on the 53. Can't have just Dodson and a returning from injury Bernard there. With PUP though, there's a chance after 4 games there's an injury somewhere and Baylon Spector gets put on the 53 instead of the PS. Kingsley is a decent player. But he's like Cam Lewis for us or Brandin Bryant when he was here. A decent hand that we call upon first if there's an injury. But there's 5 DE's on the roster who are valued more right now, 6 when Von returns and we only keep 5 max there. It's a numbers game with him too. Save for a surprise trade of Basham, there's no spot for him.

Hearing that Case Keenum is #3 on Houston's depth chart and that him being cut could cost the Bills their 3rd Round compensatory, I'd be surprised at this point if he isn't brought back on a Trade.

Final Prediction including Practice Squad: - This is only based on players who are here and not potential moves. At the very least, there will be a surprise or two on the Practice Squad from somewhere else. I believe it's also very likely Case Keenum will be brought back from Houston to be the Backup and also possible a vet is signed in Van Demark's roster spot. QB: Josh Allen #17 Kyle Allen #9 RB: James Cook #4 Damien Harris #22 Latavius Murray #28 - Reggie Gilliam #41 WR: Stefon Diggs #14 Gabe Davis #13 Deonte Harty #11 Trent Sherfield #16 Khalil Shakir #10 Justin Shorter #18 TE: Dawson Knox #88 Dalton Kincaid #86 Quintin Morris #85 OL: Dion Dawkins #73 Connor McGovern #66 Mitch Morse #60 O'Cyrus Torrence #64 Spencer Brown #79 - Ryan Bates #71 David Edwards #76 David Quessenberry #77 Ryan Van Demark #74 DE: Leonard Floyd #56 Greg Rousseau #50 Shaq Lawson #90 A.J. Epenesa #57 Carlos Basham Jr. #55 DT: Ed Oliver #91 DaQuan Jones #92 Poona Ford #98 Jordan Phillips #97 Tim Settle #99 LB: Matt Milano #58 Tyrel Dodson #53 Terrel Bernard #43 Dorian Williams #42 A.J. Klein #52 Tyler Matakevitch #44 CB: Tre'Davious White #27 Kaiir Elam #24 Dane Jackson #30 Taron Johnson #7 Christian Benford #47 Siran Neal #33 S: Jordan Poyer #21 Micah Hyde #23 Taylor Rapp #20 Damar Hamlin #3 ST: Tyler Bass #2 Sam Martin #8 Reid Ferguson #69 PUP Reserved: DE Von Miller #40 LB Baylon Spector #54 Practice Squad: QB Matt Barkley RB Darrynton Evans WR Andy Isabella WR KeeSean Johnson WR Tyrell Shavers OL Alec Anderson OL Ike Boettger OL Nick Broeker OL Richard Gouraige DE Kingsley Jonathan DT Eli Ankou LB Travin Howard CB Cam Lewis CB Alex Austin CB Ja'Marcus Ingram S Dean Marlowe

Honestly, I'd be very surprised if Case Keenum isn't brought back to be our Backup. With his status with the Texans in doubt, the performance of K. Allen and Barkley, the stakes of the compensatory pick, and his familiarity with the team, playbook, and coaches - it makes too much sense for it not to happen.

Much like Khalil Shakir, the fans are the only ones putting Justin Shorter on the bubble. Overvaluing Pre-Season games over investments and development plans way too much, as always. There is an almost zero possibility that Beane is going to outright cut a 5th Round Pick developmental WR without giving him at least one season to develop. They drafted him with a plan to see if they could develop his attributes into a good NFL player. They knew that would take time. And Beane has never outright cut a Draft Pick higher than the late 6th or 7th Round in their Rookie season. Andy Isabella's chances really went out the window to me when Deonte Harty took all the first team Return reps in the last game. Keeping him as the Return man so that Harty could focus entirely on the Offense was Isabella's only route to the 53. Ultimately, he's a guy who was a 2nd Round Pick that was given up on after two seasons. That doesn't happen often and that message is heard loud and clear throughout league circles. Especially when his second chance in Baltimore ended with him being released from there as well, where he then stayed unsigned up until Training Camp. That stink doesn't go away with one halfway decent Pre-Season. The league knows who he is and he's a Practice Squad guy right now. Regardless of how he looked in the Pre-Season, no one is signing him to a 53 man roster spot. There's a much better chance that someone would with Shorter, given his attributes and the fact that he has yet to play a down in the League and still could develop into something. Whereas in Isabella, we will be the 2nd team releasing him in a span of months after being declared a bust by his Drafting team. I believe Isabella was signed as a Camp Body with his ceiling being a Practice Squad player if he showed something. I think he's earned that. But I don't see them keeping him over other guys they invested in and had plans for. Ultimately, every season there's a guy or two that fans get excited about because of Training Camp or the Pre-Season. But both those things mean very little unless there's a path to the roster. And there really isn't for him. Every year fans say "this person has outplayed this person" or "there's no way we can sneak them on the Practice Squad". And every season, long term plans and investments outweigh that and they do end up sneaking those offseason underdogs on to the Practice Squad.

What has he shown that would make him a "great backup"? Like the OT position, I see we're at a point with Backup QB where anyone released is a great option. He's played in a total of 2 games. Starting and losing in both, throwing for a combined 228 yards, 0 TD's and 4 INT's. Since then he's been behind Cooper Rush, not even the backup in Dallas. And he'd have to learn the playbook on the fly. There is ZERO chance they see him as an upgrade and would sign him to replace the guys who have been with us all offseason learning the Playbook. Our Backup will either be Kyle Allen or Case Keenum, if any move is made.

He played last week. Haven't watched today's game yet on the DVR. Last week people were freaking out because he wasn't noticeable. I think the DL was purposely playing very vanilla because McDermott didn't want to show much.

Kind of a misleading title. Used to do it with Taiwan Jones too.

He's what Brandin Bryant was for us but at the DE position. A talent they like and they'll bring in to camp yearly, just to be released and put on the Practice Squad and be called up when there's an injuries. With the guys we have at DE and the investments we've made in them, even with Von on PUP, there's no room on the 53 for him. Epenesa isn't going anywhere this season. Basham could be traded if someone makes an offer, but I think it's more likely they'll keep him with Floyd, Epenesa, and Lawson all on 1 year deals this season.

He's going to end up released. No one's going to take on that contract. Especially at this point. Give him a call when that happens and see if he'll take the gig. Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley are an albatross. At least Lance has a cannon and great mobility like Josh and you don't have to alter the playbook as much. But I have to assume he ends up somewhere like Atlanta or Washington that has a questionable starter.

With them trading Josh Jones today, that's probably out. I doubt they'd trade both their Reserve Tackles.

This guy was a backup Tackle when the Bengals line was absolutely dreadful. I don't see any way the team views him as an upgrade in talent over who we have and especially not since those guys have been with us for multiple offseasons and are familiar with the playbook and schemes. If you are rooting for this, you are rooting for literally anyone but what we have. Just because they aren't Quessenberry doesn't mean they're any better.

He's a Gunslinger in a Pass Heavy offense. With that is going to come picks. But I'd take that over playing Tyrod Taylor protect the football Quarterbacking 7 days a week and twice on Sunday.

You're thinking of this from the mind set of only a die hard fan. If you're a player who has played high school and college ball at the level that you'll be drafted, it's different. You're in it. You're a football player and your allegiance goes to the team that picks you, pays you, and plays you. No 20 something has ever said "I'll only play for the team I grew up watching and rooting for". They're just kids at that point anyways.

A leopard doesn't change it's spots. Again, he felt a veteran RB didn't have enough time with the playbook after a few weeks. The easiest position to transition. Do you really think he's going to play a MLB who has to play call his complex Defense while learning the playbook over guys who have multiple years and the Offseason with the team? Trust me, I don't like what we have either. But we're where we are in part because he puts an intense value on continuity and experience in his system. Why do you think AJ Klein was brought back instead of another LB'er in FA that's still out there now? The plan has always been to evaluate Terrel Bernard and Tyrel Dodson this season and see if they have something there and reevaluate next season if things don't work out. Questionable, especially now, if that's the right call or not. It's going to take more than a Questionable Camp and Pre-Season for them to shift gears, as I see it.

Maybe if it's so absolutely piss poor, they try and make a deal at the deadline. But I don't see any way that someone's going to be released or available for Trade that they feel will be so much of an upgrade over who we have that they'll play them learning the Defense on the fly. Especially at a position that is essentially QB of the Defense. As bad as things may have looked in Camp or in the 1 Pre-Season game that mattered, the most panic move they'll make is starting AJ Klein. He represents the fall back option they decided on had Bernard or Dodson not stepped up. It seems they may have broken that glass already with Dodson being pulled after the first series in favor of him. If they do make a move, it's going to be a while before they play that person. I'm not saying it's right or wrong. But there's just no way McDermott is going to start the season with a guy calling plays on Defense who is learning the Playbook on the fly.

The starting MLB is here. They aren't going to trade for or sign a guy and then just throw him straight into the Regular season without having had time with the playbook or working with the Defense. Anyone who is cut or is available for Trade is not going to be of a talent level that will trump the talent level plus time in McDermott's Defense that Klein, Bernard, or Dodson has, in their eyes. We're talking about a coach who felt a RB we traded for midseason still needed more time with the playbook as a reasoning to not play him months after the move. And RB is the EASIEST position to transition from team to team in play. MLB is one of the hardest. Especially in a complex McDermott defense. Anyone who honestly thinks he's going to plug and play a guy there over the guys who have been in house are just setting themselves up for disappointment.

You don't take an All Pro at one position and make him switch positions because there's better depth behind him than at the other position. That's crazy. Milano's an All Pro OLB. You don't mess with that and have him play differently. On top of the reasoning listed as to why asking a Rookie to start at MLB is a tall ask - do you know what we have behind Milano at OLB if Dorian Williams were to start off at MLB? Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. AJ Klein, Tyrel Dodson, and Terrel Bernard are all MLB's. Tyler Matakevitch is a Special Teams player exclusively. If Milano goes down for any amount of time or even just needs a breather, Williams is in. I know Drafting an OLB prospect when we had less than stellar MLB's and were hoping for something more than what we had was confusing. But we needed another OLB and that's what he was Drafted as. Beane said as much after Drafting him. Williams has flexibility. Maybe next year they try it. But they needed him at OLB this season. You can't go into the season with 1 OLB, 4 MLB's, and a Special Teamer as your LB core.

Pretty positive. If they didn't have future plans for him, they'd have just released him with an injury settlement like they do with anyone they're going to cut who gets hurt.