What the 2018 Buffalo Bills 90-man depth chart could look like entering training camp

[Wayne Arnold]

One scenario of thousands. Please add your thoughts.

 

These are just my initial ideas on how I could see the offseason panning out. I usually stay away from Bills related forums between the Super Bowl and the Masters in April (aside from the first few days of free agency) so I wanted to get this created before Sunday. It's obviously way too early to determine draft order and it may not be realistic to acquire this many free agents (even though none will break the bank). I expect Bradford to simply take over Tyrod's cap space. And this scenario is with the (probably too optimistic) hope that the NFL relieves Eric Wood's contract from our cap based on the rare happenstance that occurred.

 

2018 Pre-6/1 Checklist

 

• Retain 2018 RFA's: TE Nick O'Leary, DE Eddie Yarbrough, CB Lafayette Pitts
• Work with NFL and NFLPA to remove Eric Wood's contract from the 2018 salary cap
• Trade QB Tyrod Taylor for a 2018 4th round pick
• Sign FA's: QB Sam Bradford, WR Paul Richardson, TE Ed Dickson, DT Daquan Jones, MLB Korey Toomer, OLB Tahir Whitehead, CB Ross Cockrell
• Trade DE Shaq Lawson for a 2018 4th-round pick

 

2018 NFL Draft

 

1 (21). Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
1 (22). Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa
2 (53). Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky
2 (56). Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
3 (95). Fred Warner, LB, USC
4 (112). Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
4 (117). Austin Corbett, OG, Nevada
4 (125). Quadree Henderson, WR, Pittsburgh
5 (164). BJ Hill, DT, NC State
5 (172). Darrel Williams, RB, LSU

 

2018 Post-6/1 Plans

 

• Trade OT Cordy Glenn for a 2019 mid-round pick ($11.25 cap savings)
• Release FB Patrick Dimarco ($1.55 cap savings)
• Release WR Andre Holmes ($1.2 cap savings)
• Sign FA's: RB Alfred Blue, WR Michael Campanaro, G/C Brian Schwenke, DT Shamar Stephen, CB Leonard Johnson
• Re-sign RB Travaris Cadet, SS Shamarko Thomas

 

2018 Training Camp 90-Man Roster Depth Chart

 

Quarterback: Sam Bradford (Vikings)
Nathan Peterman (1) / Mike White (R-2) / Brandon Silver (R-U)

 

Running Back 1: Lesean McCoy (9/3)

Travaris Cadet (6/1) / Marcus Murphy (3/1) / Ito Smith (R-U)

 

Running Back 2: Alfred Blue (Texans)
Darrel Williams (R-5) / Aaron Green (2/1) / Regis Cibasu (R-U)

 

Wide Receiver 1: Kelvin Benjamin (4/1)
Zay Jones (1) / Michael Campanaro (Ravens) / Brandon Reilly (1) / Rod Streater (6/1) / Bryce Bobo (R-U)

 

Wide Receiver 2: Paul Richardson (Seahawks)
Quadree Henderson (R-4) / Andre Holmes (7/1) / Malachi Dupree (1) / Quan Bray (3/1)

 

Tight End: Charles Clay (7/3)
Ed Dickson (Panthers) / Troy Fumagalli (R-4) / Nick O'Leary (3) / Khari Lee (3/1) / Jason Croom (1) / Keith Towbridge (1)

 

Left Tackle: Dion Dawkins (1)
Conor McDermott (1) / Josh James (2/1)

 

Left Guard: Richie Incognito (12/2)
Austin Corbett (R-4) / Mark Korte (R-U)

 

Center: Ryan Groy (4/3)
Brian Schwenke (Titans) / Adam Redmond (2/1)

 

Right Guard: Vladimir Ducasse (8/1)
John Miller (3) / UDFA

 

Right Tackle: Jordan Mills (4/2)
Orlando Brown (R-1) / Jamar McGloster (R-U)

 

*******************************************************************************************************************************

 

Right Defensive End: Jerry Hughes (8/5)
Ryan Davis (6/1) / Nordly Capi (3/1) / Marcus Martin (R-U)

 

Nose Tackle: DaQuan Jones (Titans)
Adolphus Washington (2) / Marquavious Lewis (1) / UDFA

 

Defensive Tackle: Shamar Stephen (Vikings)
BJ Hill (R-5) /  Rickey Hatley (1) / Connor Sheehy (R-U)

 

Left Defensive End: Lorenzo Alexander (13/2)
Sam Hubbard (R-2) / Eddie Yarbrough (2/1) / FREE AGENT

 

Weakside Linebacker: Matt Milano (1)
Xavier Woodsonluster (1) / Parris Bennett (R-U)

 

Middle Linebacker: Korey Toomer (Chargers)
Tanner Vallejo (1) / Joel Lanning (R-U)

 

Strongside Linebacker - Tahir Whitehead (Lions)
Fred Warner (R-3) / Deon Lacey (5/1)
 
Cornerback 1:  Tre'Davious White (1)
Leonard Johnson (6/1) / Lafayette Pitts (2/1) / FREE AGENT / UDFA

 

Cornerback 2: Ross Cockrell (Giants)
Josh Jackson (R-1) / Breon Borders (1) / Malik Reaves (R-U)

 

Free Safety: Jordan Poyer (4/-)
Dean Marlowe (3/1) / Kelcie McCray (6/-) / Jordan Martin (R-U)

 

Strong Safety: Micah Hyde (4/-)
Shamarko Thomas (5/1) / LJ McCray (4/1) / UDFA

[Wayne Arnold]

Nothing? Jeez, guys.

[26CornerBlitz]

1 minute ago, Wayne Arnold said:

Nothing? Jeez, guys.

 

This was just an extension of the other steaming pile thread.  

[Wayne Arnold]

Just now, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

This was just an extension of the other steaming pile thread.  

 

Stay classy, douche bag.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, Wayne Arnold said:

 

Stay classy, douche bag.

 

 

Just messing with you. 

[ProcessTheTrust]

It's just too early to spend this much energy on this topic. No offense but are you looking for people to propose their 90? I think random FA talk and Mock Drafts are enough to play with. Combining those and coming up with day 1 training camp rosters is a bit much for now.

[John from Riverside]

30 minutes ago, Wayne Arnold said:

Nothing? Jeez, guys.

I appreciate the work you put into this

 

I really dont want to lose Gaines

[hemma]

It would take me a better part of a day just to type all of this.

 

So far, I like picking up DT Daquan Jones.

Not so sure about White that early.

 

If Orlando Brown doesn't beat Mills, let me be the 1st to call 'bust'. :-)

 

 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Some of it is a little out there, like getting a 4th for Taylor and spending that much FA money. 

 

However, I do like targeting Bradford and Cockrell. 

[#34fan]

I like Mike White a whole lot... But Rd 2??? -I don't see it...

 

Three, maybe even four... He's never generated the kind of buzz he probably deserves.

[oldmanfan]

Interesting

[wppete]

Cockrell starting CB??? No thanks.

 

Resign  EJ Gaines is #1 priority for the Bills this offseason. 

[davspo]

Wow, you must have had the day off.  Good work though.

 

[Wayne Arnold]

1 hour ago, John from Hemet said:

 

I really dont want to lose Gaines

 

 

I just had a feeling that he never really bought it to being in Buffalo. The recent Instagram confirms that. His loss.

1 hour ago, hemma said:

 

Not so sure about White that early.

 

 

Yeah I'm not sure either but he was impressive from what I saw in the Senior Bowl fwiw.

 

9 minutes ago, wppete said:

Cockrell starting CB??? No thanks.

 

Resign  EJ Gaines is #1 priority for the Bills this offseason. 

 

Why not Cockrell? He's a good value player.

 

Gaines is injury prone and appears to not want to be here.

 

40 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

Some of it is a little out there, like getting a 4th for Taylor

 

If the Chiefs can get a 3rd and a stud second-year corner on a 3rd round contract for a 35 year old Alex Smith, you don't think Bills can get a 4th for Tyrod?

Edited February 1, 2018 by Wayne Arnold

[wppete]

5 minutes ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

I just had a feeling that he never really bought it to being in Buffalo. The recent Instagram confirms that. His loss.

 

Yeah I'm not sure either but he was impressive from what I saw in the Senior Bowl fwiw.

 

 

Why not Cockrell? He's a good value player.

 

Gaines is injury prone and appears to not want to be here.

 

Really? Cockrell over Gaines???? 

[Wayne Arnold]

3 minutes ago, wppete said:

 

Really? Cockrell over Gaines???? 

 

Cockrell would be less expensive for roughly the same production. So, yes.

[wppete]

1 minute ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

Cockrell would be less expensive for roughly the same production. So, yes.

 

No way I don’t see it. No way Cockrell is as productive as EJ Gaines. 

[Wayne Arnold]

11 minutes ago, wppete said:

 

No way I don’t see it. No way Cockrell is as productive as EJ Gaines. 

 

What's your argument? Cockell had more interceptions, more passes defended and a higher Approximate Value than Gaines in 2017. 

[wppete]

1 minute ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

What's your argument? Cockell had more interceptions, more passes defended and a higher Approximate Value than Gaines in 2017. 

 

No argument. I just don’t see how Ross Cockrell can be more productive than EJ Gaines. I think a lot of people on here would agree. 

[Wayne Arnold]

1 minute ago, wppete said:

 

No argument. I just don’t see how Ross Cockrell can be more productive than EJ Gaines. I think a lot of people on here would agree. 

 

I welcome disagreements, I just prefer them based on something. Cockrell is a good, durable player (one game missed in last three years) that we can get for less than $9.3 million annually.

[BuffaloBillyG]

25 minutes ago, wppete said:

 

No argument. I just don’t see how Ross Cockrell can be more productive than EJ Gaines. I think a lot of people on here would agree. 

I can see him being more productive based off of projected games missed. I realize anyone can get hurt, but Gaines seems to be a lightning rod for injury.

[JohnBonhamRocks]

6 hours ago, Wayne Arnold said:

If the Chiefs can get a 3rd and a stud second-year corner on a 3rd round contract for a 35 year old Alex Smith, you don't think Bills can get a 4th for Tyrod?

 

Maybe if they offer a trade to Dan Snyder.

[Clyde Smith]

I’m still not sold on Bradford and Cockrell. Also I rather draft one these young RB, deep talent class this year.

[GunnerBill]

EJ Gaines is a much better corner than Ross Cockrell.  Not that I hate Cockrell, I don't.... I liked us picking him way back when and he was just a victim of the coaching change in Buffalo.  He has proven himself a serviceable corner in the league since but relying on him as a starter having had EJ Gaines previously is a downgrade.  I am possibly the biggest Gaines homer on the board though.... I was excited about getting him int he trade when everyone else was googling to find out who the hell he was 

As for my overall feelings about the post..... I think the Bills are going to go Quarterback in the first round and more mid-level vet (unless a Bridgewater or Bradford type ends up being much cheaper than expected) and I believe they may even trade up for one.  

 

I also think following the "draft to the strength of the class" strategy that Kirby often talks about would fit the Bills well this year.  Quarterback is a strong and deep, the next best position in the class is linebacker in my mind and we have a major need there.  So while I think they will be in the market for one mid-range FA vet to captain that group I could see the Bills selecting 2 or even 3 linebackers.  Equally there is reasonable depth at DT so they might double up in that position too.  Finally this is a good RB draft and I wouldn't be surprised to see them select one before the 5th.  

 

Having said all that if they stay at 21 and 22 and don't go QB.... I like the Orlando Brown pick, but don't like Josh Jackson as much as most seem to. I think he'd have been a late 2nd / 3rd round pick in last year's class of DBs. He is a reach at 22 in my opinion. Take Fitzpatrick and Derwin James out for a second and the rest of this DB class does nothing for me.  

[Captain_Quint]

I think Fumagalli goes before the 4th, but I think he'd be a solid pickup in the draft. A group of Clay, Fumagalli, and OLeary would be a good group of TEs.

[xRUSHx]

Hate the later drafted QB, I am ok with Bradford and Peterman but to wait for a later round QB is so Whaley. No thank you. As for other drafted players too hard to tell when they should IMO move up and take one of the top 5 QBs, so to know what is left IMO is too hard to figure accurately. How about posting mock including some kind of trade up or one taken with 1st pick. 

Edited February 2, 2018 by xRUSHx

[FearLess Price]

14 hours ago, Wayne Arnold said:

 

Cockrell would be less expensive for roughly the same production. So, yes.

 

Cockrell is a damn good zone corner, dont let em sway you breh.

 

Also less injury prone.

 

 

Not a fan of mike white or any quarterback not named Mayfield Darnold Rosen or dark horse Mason.

 

I did like picking up Bradford, just hope we draft a top 3 QB to go along with him so the rookie can start when Bradford gets hurt sometime during the season.

8 minutes ago, xRUSHx said:

Hate the later drafted QB, I am ok with Bradford and Peterman but to wait for a later round QB is so Whaley. No thank you. As for other drafted players too hard to tell when they should IMO move up and take one of the top 5 QBs, so to know what is left IMO is too hard to figure accurately. How about one including some kind of trade up or one taken with 1st pick. 

 

I agree with your dumbass.

 

No point in drafting a QB if its not one of the top 3 guys. Or Mason at the 2nd teir.

 

Might as well jus grab the best players we can in the draft and re stock the stash box.

 

 

[McBean]

You had me sold when you traded Taylor and Shaq Lawson.

[Freddie's Dead]

OK, I'll play.  You release Holmes, but he's still on your 90.  If Vlad and Mills are #1 RG and RT entering TC, we are in big trouble.  I gotta think Tyrod is worth more than a 4th, we devalue him as fans.  Not thrilled with Bradford, but OK.  Like what you did with the DL and LB's.  Snuck a Marquavious in there so we can restock our Key and Peele All-Star names, I like it.  Having to go get our own FA Ross Cockrell makes me gag a little, but just another Whaley !@#$ up that we have to correct.

[xRUSHx]

Just now, McBean said:

You had me sold when you traded Taylor and Shaq Lawson.

Good luck trading Tyrod, he isn't worth Brady's deflated balls. I agree with the Lawson trade though.

[BuffaloBillsGospel]

I appreciate the work you put into this, I'd love to get Sam Bradford but the more I hear Beane talk the more I believe him when he says he wont be making big splashes in FA so I'm ruling out Bradford, I'll say either Derek Anderson or Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the backup. I also agree with many that Tyrod Taylor has a better chance probably netting a 6th round pick than a 4th, comparing him to Alex Smith is just a horrible comparison because he's not even half the QB Smith is. I liked Cockrell in Pittsburgh, I think he'd be a solid pickup. I think we draft a QB round 1, I think it's a must and I believe that's why we collected the draft picks is for a trade up the draft board, Mike White isn't terrible but again we already have our developmental QB in Nate Peterman, this coaching staff isn't giving up on him even though the fans already seem to have done that.

Edited February 2, 2018 by BuffaloBillsGospel

[Wayne Arnold]

9 hours ago, Freddie's Dead said:

OK, I'll play.  You release Holmes, but he's still on your 90.  If Vlad and Mills are #1 RG and RT entering TC, we are in big trouble.  I gotta think Tyrod is worth more than a 4th, we devalue him as fans.  Not thrilled with Bradford, but OK.  Like what you did with the DL and LB's.  Snuck a Marquavious in there so we can restock our Key and Peele All-Star names, I like it.  Having to go get our own FA Ross Cockrell makes me gag a little, but just another Whaley !@#$ up that we have to correct.

 

Ah, good catch, thanks. Didn't mean to include Holmes in the release transactions. He can add competition in training camp and if he makes the team, great. If he doesn't, great.

[Hurricane]

Nice work...

[John from Riverside]

9 hours ago, xRUSHx said:

Good luck trading Tyrod, he isn't worth Brady's deflated balls. I agree with the Lawson trade though.

and the hate continues

[FearLess Price]

3 minutes ago, John from Hemet said:

and the hate continues

 

Looks like Tyrod banged somebodys girl.....

#OVERTHEMIDDLE

[Wayne Arnold]

9 hours ago, BuffaloBillsGospel said:

I appreciate the work you put into this, I'd love to get Sam Bradford but the more I hear Beane talk the more I believe him when he says he wont be making big splashes in FA so I'm ruling out Bradford, I'll say either Derek Anderson or Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the backup. I also agree with many that Tyrod Taylor has a better chance probably netting a 6th round pick than a 4th, comparing him to Alex Smith is just a horrible comparison because he's not even half the QB Smith is. I liked Cockrell in Pittsburgh, I think he'd be a solid pickup. I think we draft a QB round 1, I think it's a must and I believe that's why we collected the draft picks is for a trade up the draft board, Mike White isn't terrible but again we already have our developmental QB in Nate Peterman, this coaching staff isn't giving up on him even though the fans already seem to have done that.

 

Thanks. I really don't consider Bradford a "big splash" because I just consider him basically a trade for Tyrod. I can't imagine him taking a bigger hit to the cap than Tyrod would if he remains on the team.

[nedboy7]

Is this the same Wayne Arnold who was screaming last season that the bills were the same old bills and they would win 5 or 6 games tops?  Ouch.