TBN: Way-too-early 53-man roster projection

[YoloinOhio]

Jay Skurski's way-too-early Bills 53-man roster projection

The Buffalo Bills won’t play a football game that counts for another four-plus months.

That’s a good thing, because it might take that long to sort out who should be on the team’s final 53-man roster.

"I don't know the order how a lot of these positions – whether it's O-line, receiver, tight end, running back – I don't know how it's going to shake out,” General Manager Brandon Beane said. “In time, we'll figure that out.”

Dating back to the start of unrestricted free agency and continuing through last weekend’s NFL draft, Beane has acquired a whopping 26 new players. Most, but not all, have a good chance to make the team.

“We’ve added players that we feel are improvements to our roster,” the GM said. “But it’s not just accumulating talent, it’s building a team. We like what we’ve added. Now, it’s trying to build this thing and getting these guys in here. Now that we’ve added these rookies, it’s a new group that we have to get to know what they do well. … Still a long way to go. I think I’ll have a better idea of how we look in about a month.”

https://buffalonews.com/2019/05/01/buffalo-bills-roster-projection-nfl-jay-skurski/

 

Surprises:

Only 5 WRs on the roster 

he kept DiMarco

eli Harold cut

[Rc2catch]

Going to be an insane preseason for us bills fans 

[whatdrought]

Yuck. Please don't keep Dimarco at the expense of a 6th WR. 

Also, if DA retires, can we give him a job the same day as a coaching intern or something? I know that's unlikely, but it seems like a perfect solution. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Love that we're carrying 2 Oline from 2018 into 2019.  9 Oline is awesome too - especially with ford/dawkins having some positionally flexibility.  Long active game days as a backup Center unless he can win a job.  Spain and feliciano coming in trying to earn playing time too.  

 

I could see cutting dimarco and carrying another WR.  Or same with Fisher.  Dimarco brings some special teams value and I'm not sure Fisher would bring the same value there.  Either way - lose dimarco and you can probably bring fisher in as a FB in goal line work. 

2 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Yuck. Please don't keep Dimarco at the expense of a 6th WR. 

Also, if DA retires, can we give him a job the same day as a coaching intern or something? I know that's unlikely, but it seems like a perfect solution. 

 

I think it all depends on how Jackson plays in the preseason.  If he looks terrible we can probably leave him on the practice squad.  If he's lighting it up it may be more of an issue on how we could keep him.  

As for Dimarco - i wrote it above... no need for him and fisher.  If we're only using dimarco in goalline work that should be easy enough to get fisher up to speed.  If we're planning to use him more (doubtful) i would just cut fisher.  

Edited May 1, 2019 by dneveu

[whatdrought]

Between Neal, Johnson, and even Joseph, I am slightly hopeful that we don't need Bush as our big nickel anymore. 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

8 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Yuck. Please don't keep Dimarco at the expense of a 6th WR. 

Also, if DA retires, can we give him a job the same day as a coaching intern or something? I know that's unlikely, but it seems like a perfect solution. 

 

DiMarco would be way more important to the every down offense than the 6th WR.  The 6th WR's only true value would be as a special teams contributor. 

[c-troop]

4 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Yuck. Please don't keep Dimarco at the expense of a 6th WR. 

Also, if DA retires, can we give him a job the same day as a coaching intern or something? I know that's unlikely, but it seems like a perfect solution. 

Not only that, in the TL;DR blurb at the end of the article he says:
"The final spot in this projection comes down to a sixth running back (Perry) or receiver (McKenzie), a fifth defensive end (Harold) or a fifth safety, with Neal being the choice"

Obviously, that would be six running backs? insane. 

Personally, I think we run with 7 WR's next season

The main 5 (Robert Foster, John Brown, Cole Beasley, Andre Roberts and Zay) and a Gadget Option + Big Target (McKenzie or Vic Bolden) and (David Sills or Duke Williams)

[CaptnCoke11]

Yeah there’s quite a bit i disagree with on that projection 

[wppete]

DiMarco is getting cut for sure. We will carry 4 RBs.  And there will definitely be 6 WRs on this roster. I think 3 TEs Jake Fisher or Croom will be released. Tommy Sweeney on practice roster and can come on the active roster if needed. 

[Stank_Nasty]

25 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Going to be an insane preseason for us bills fans 

OL, WR, and CB2 battles are gonna be fun to watch unfold.

[ColoradoBills]

18 minutes ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

DiMarco would be way more important to the every down offense than the 6th WR.  The 6th WR's only true value would be as a special teams contributor. 

 

His snap count was way down to 15% last year.

No extra FB is signed yet to come to camp.  Previous years another FB was brought in.  This may not seem important but if Daboll is

running an offense that is using a FB often enough to justify one on the roster they would need another in camp just to run the scheme.

 

A lot of DiMarco's snaps were in short yardage situations as a lead blocker.  Having Gore fill that role is likely and I submit even better

because instead to using the blocking FB as a blocker only you could handoff to Gore too.

DiMarco had 1 carry last year.  He had 4 targets as a receiver and I think Gore can handle that workload too.

 

Frank Gore will need to get snaps to justify his worth and eating a few of DiMarco's just seems logical.

Knox could also be used in place of DiMarco.

Edited May 1, 2019 by ColoradoBills

[badassgixxer05]

Cant wait to get over to Roch for camp! Should be some good battles. Especially in the trenches!

[ProcessAccepted]

22 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Yuck. Please don't keep Dimarco at the expense of a 6th WR. 

Also, if DA retires, can we give him a job the same day as a coaching intern or something? I know that's unlikely, but it seems like a perfect solution. 

 

You are 100% on the money with your two points. I think it'll be 6@WR and the 6th will be Duke Williams or Sills (but probably Williams)

 

I think DA may be convinced to retire as a pathway to coaching. He has a  chance to make a name for himself working with Allen.

[ColoradoBills]

Replace DiMarco with a 6th receiver on Offense.

 

The DE I agree with but the final depth of DT, LB, CB and S will be the winners of an intense camp battles for those positions.

Way too early to tell who rises.

 

Punter is too early to tell.

[Jay_Fixit]

Can’t really disagree with anything.

 

Here on May 1st.

 

 

[JoshAllenHasBigHands]

15 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

His snap count was way down to 15% last year.

No extra FB is signed yet to come to camp.  Previous years another FB was brought in.  This may not seem important but if Daboll is

running an offense that is using a FB often enough to justify one on the roster they would need another in camp just to run the scheme.

 

A lot of DiMarco's snaps were in short yardage situations as a lead blocker.  Having Gore fill that role is likely and I submit even better

because instead to using the blocking FB as a blocker only you could handoff to Gore too.

DiMarco had 1 carry last year.  He had 4 targets as a receiver and I think Gore can handle that workload too.

 

Frank Gore will need to get snaps to justify his worth and eating a few of DiMarco's just seems logical.

Knox could also be used in place of DiMarco.

 

The first part was compelling, but the second part about Gore playing FB is a suppppper long shot.  He is Frank Gore, that would be disrespectful to even suggest he play FB.  And 15% is more than the 6th WR will see the field.  Now, them not bringing in a second FB might be a sign Dimarco is on the way out, but if that were the case, why bring him into camp?  There is no need to run FB sets if they don't plan on having a FB on the roster. I realize your Gore theory would explain that, but I see that as next to impossible. 

[ngbills]

WR: Here is the question. How much are we really throwing the ball next yea? There are only so many balls to go around. Last year including KB the #6 WR on the roster caught 3 passes. PIT, GB and Indy threw the ball the most times in the league and even they did not have a #6 WR catching the ball. 

 

OL: We will def keep more than that. 

 

 

[formerlyofCtown]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Jay Skurski's way-too-early Bills 53-man roster projection

 

 

https://buffalonews.com/2019/05/01/buffalo-bills-roster-projection-nfl-jay-skurski/

 

Surprises:

Only 5 WRs on the roster 

he kept DiMarco

eli Harold cut

I think they keep Duke Williams. People keep overlooking him.

[DCbillsfan]

3 minutes ago, ngbills said:

WR: Here is the question. How much are we really throwing the ball next yea? There are only so many balls to go around. Last year including KB the #6 WR on the roster caught 3 passes. PIT, GB and Indy threw the ball the most times in the league and even they did not have a #6 WR catching the ball. 

 

OL: We will def keep more than that. 

 

 

At the risk of being obvious, teams carry 6 WRs mainly because guys get hurt during the game.  Also if a team runs a 3 WR set or 4 WR set, they get winded and need a break.  The WR 6 spot is usually a return guy and doesn't see the field much as a receiver.

[ColoradoBills]

4 minutes ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

The first part was compelling, but the second part about Gore playing FB is a suppppper long shot.  He is Frank Gore, that would be disrespectful to even suggest he play FB.  And 15% is more than the 6th WR will see the field.  Now, them not bringing in a second FB might be a sign Dimarco is on the way out, but if that were the case, why bring him into camp?  There is no need to run FB sets if they don't plan on having a FB on the roster. I realize your Gore theory would explain that, but I see that as next to impossible. 

 

It's the Daboll scheme which may not have use for a full time FB roster spot that I think may be happening.

Other teams that do not carry a FB still have to have players that take on lead blocking.

Some use a TE/HB or the bigger RB or even a DL/OL.

I'm going to keep an eye open to see if another FB comes to camp.

 

We'll have to see how it goes but I think it's pretty obvious that Frank Gore will be lining up on 3rd and short.

 

 

 

 

[ngbills]

5 minutes ago, DCbillsfan said:

At the risk of being obvious, teams carry 6 WRs mainly because guys get hurt during the game.  Also if a team runs a 3 WR set or 4 WR set, they get winded and need a break.  The WR 6 spot is usually a return guy and doesn't see the field much as a receiver.

Yeah I agree. That is why people should not over think this. Its likely Andre Roberts or whoever wins the KR/PR job. But we should not expect much if any offensive production from a WR 6. Maybe a few catches if someone gets injured. Every team has injuries, but look around the league and see the stats as you go down the roster to the 6th WR on teams and its a handful or less of catches.

[SCBills]

I honestly like this projection.  I feel like this 53 man roster maximizes talent & potential.

 

Perhaps Daboll runs more 2-TE sets, and in a run heavy offense where all the RB's can flex out as pass catchers, we may not need a WR6.

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by SCBills

[PirateHookerMD]

I don't think they keep all of those interior lineman, nor Demarco. Bush also questionable. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

37 minutes ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

His snap count was way down to 15% last year.

No extra FB is signed yet to come to camp.  Previous years another FB was brought in.  This may not seem important but if Daboll is

running an offense that is using a FB often enough to justify one on the roster they would need another in camp just to run the scheme.

 

A lot of DiMarco's snaps were in short yardage situations as a lead blocker.  Having Gore fill that role is likely and I submit even better

because instead to using the blocking FB as a blocker only you could handoff to Gore too.

DiMarco had 1 carry last year.  He had 4 targets as a receiver and I think Gore can handle that workload too.

 

Frank Gore will need to get snaps to justify his worth and eating a few of DiMarco's just seems logical.

Knox could also be used in place of DiMarco.

I would think fisher could fill the lead blocker role too.  

 

16 minutes ago, ngbills said:

WR: Here is the question. How much are we really throwing the ball next yea? There are only so many balls to go around. Last year including KB the #6 WR on the roster caught 3 passes. PIT, GB and Indy threw the ball the most times in the league and even they did not have a #6 WR catching the ball. 

 

OL: We will def keep more than that. 

 

 

 

The issue is if you like sills or williams or anyone else as a future contributor - putting them on the PS exposes them.  Same goes for carrying a 5th end etc.

 

Does a FB get you anymore wins this year?  If the answer is no - you may have to sacrifice him to ensure you're keeping someone you value a lot.

1 minute ago, PirateHookerMD said:

I don't think they keep all of those interior lineman, nor Demarco. Bush also questionable. 

 

We didn't really replace bush with another big nickel safety so it's hard to say we dont need him.  He played in about 40% of snaps last year.

 

We carried 9 oline last year - and the number looks the same here.  If dawkins or ford moves interior i could see moving on from one - likely teller due to financial commitment and the fact that i don't see him outplaying Spain for the LG starting spot.  

[ColoradoBills]

4 minutes ago, dneveu said:

I would think fisher could fill the lead blocker role too.  

 

 

The issue is if you like sills or williams or anyone else as a future contributor - putting them on the PS exposes them.  Same goes for carrying a 5th end etc.

 

Does a FB get you anymore wins this year?  If the answer is no - you may have to sacrifice him to ensure you're keeping someone you value a lot.

 

Great point on Fisher. 

[D521646]

How can you even begin to unravel the roster at this point, and I get it, it did say "way too early" in the OP.  However, to me it seems easier to project what is not going to happen rather than what will.  For instance, CB1 is set, SS 1, FS 1, are set, QB 1, all set, RB 1, RB 2, set.  WR 1, 2, set, DE, and DT 3T, all set, MLB 1, set, this means that there is a ton of positions not set at OL, DL, LB, CB, TE, RB (3, 4, 5) and WR 3, 4, 5, 6 (7)..

 

I am excited to see who is ready to compete this year, will be fun to watch!

 

Tim-

[BuffaloHokie13]

I arrived at a relatively similar 53, though I had 6WR and 3TE

[TPS]

35 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

I think they keep Duke Williams. People keep overlooking him.

Hard to get any read on the guy until he goes up against nfl competition. 

[Formerly Allan in MD]

43 minutes ago, formerlyofCtown said:

I think they keep Duke Williams. People keep overlooking him.

Hope so and yes.

[ngbills]

My roster:

 

QB: Allen, Anderson, Barkley

RB: McCoy, DiMarco, Gore, Yeldon, Singletary

WR/TE: Brown, Jones, Beasley, Kroft, Foster, Roberts, McCloud, Knox, Croom

OL: Dawkins, Spain, Morse, Ford, Nsekhe, Long, Teller, Waddle, Feliciano

 

DL: Phillips, Oliver, Murphy, Hughes, Lotulelei, Lawson, Phillips, Yarbrough

LB: Milano, Edmunds, Alexander, Harold, V Joseph, Lacey, Stanford

DB: White, K Johnson, Hyde, Poyer, Gaines, Alexander, T Johnson, Bush, Wallace

SPEC: Hauschka, Bojorquez, Ferguson

[Big Turk]

I think they will likely keep 3 TE's and an extra WR...if they keep Fisher I think DiMarco's job might be in jeopardy...

[MJS]

I'm pretty certain the Bills like DiMarco and he will be on the 53. The displeasure from fans with his play has never been reflected by Beane or McDermott. They view him as a leader.

[Chandler#81]

The ignored elephant in the room is injuries, which is understandable in this early projection. I can see DA being offered a coaching gig where he could ‘come out of retirement’ in a pinch. Personally, I think he’s washed up as a player. A bump on the head sends him to season long IR? Granted, we have some nasty mats in the training room, but he was invisible on the field. DiMarco is a quandary. Does anyone really know the reason he’s still on the team. Kyle showed effectiveness in goal line, so EddieO could do that. Saying this, yes, the Marcus Murphy/Keith Ford era is over. I’m convinced we keep 6 WRs, with Roberts main focus on STs. I expect at least one FA OL won’t make it & think Skurski hits this one dead on. Duke is very intriguing. IF.. then he stays. PS will provide a home for borderline younguns. 

[NewEra]

Have to keep 6 WRs.  John Brown and Cole Beasley are a sneeze away from injury..  Does Roberts ever run routes?

 

cut Stanford, DiMarco, croom or Fisher and possibly Neal.  Neal and Johnson battle it out.  Maybe even Waddle if Dawkins and Ford start at tackle.  

 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by NewEra

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

2 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

DiMarco would be way more important to the every down offense than the 6th WR.  The 6th WR's only true value would be as a special teams contributor. 

 

2 hours ago, wppete said:

DiMarco is getting cut for sure. We will carry 4 RBs.  And there will definitely be 6 WRs on this roster. I think 3 TEs Jake Fisher or Croom will be released. Tommy Sweeney on practice roster and can come on the active roster if needed. 

 

2 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

Replace DiMarco with a 6th receiver on Offense.

 

The DE I agree with but the final depth of DT, LB, CB and S will be the winners of an intense camp battles for those positions.

Way too early to tell who rises.

 

Punter is too early to tell.

 

1 hour ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

It's the Daboll scheme which may not have use for a full time FB roster spot that I think may be happening.

Other teams that do not carry a FB still have to have players that take on lead blocking.

Some use a TE/HB or the bigger RB or even a DL/OL.

I'm going to keep an eye open to see if another FB comes to camp.

 

We'll have to see how it goes but I think it's pretty obvious that Frank Gore will be lining up on 3rd and short.

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, dneveu said:

I would think fisher could fill the lead blocker role too.  

 

 

The issue is if you like sills or williams or anyone else as a future contributor - putting them on the PS exposes them.  Same goes for carrying a 5th end etc.

 

Does a FB get you anymore wins this year?  If the answer is no - you may have to sacrifice him to ensure you're keeping someone you value a lot.

 

We didn't really replace bush with another big nickel safety so it's hard to say we dont need him.  He played in about 40% of snaps last year.

 

We carried 9 oline last year - and the number looks the same here.  If dawkins or ford moves interior i could see moving on from one - likely teller due to financial commitment and the fact that i don't see him outplaying Spain for the LG starting spot.  

 

They bought in some solid blocking tight ends.  Line the up at fullback when you need on make all the sense in the world. It gives the offense, more looks, more versatility and the ability to give one look with and end out wide then motion to a power run. 

 

 

[BuffaloHokie13]

Here's my guess for now

 

Position	Number
QB	3	Josh Allen	Matt Barkley	Derek Anderson
RB	4	LeSean McCoy	Frank Gore	TJ Yeldon	Devin Singletary
FB	1	Patrick DiMarco
WR	6	John Brown	Cole Beasley	Robert Foster	Andre Roberts	Zay Jones	Duke Williams
TE	3	Tyler Kroft	Dawson Knox	Jason Croom
OT	4	Dion Dawkins	Cody Ford	Ty Nsekhe	LaAdrian Waddle
OG	4	Spencer Long	Quinton Spain	Jon Feliciano	Wyatt Teller
C	1	Mitch Morse
Offense	26
DE	4	Jerry Hughes	Trent Murphy	Shaq Lawson	Eli Harold
DT	4	Star Lotulelei	Ed Oliver	Harrison Phillips	Jordan Phillips
OLB	4	Lorenzo Alexander	Matt Milano	Vosean Joseph	Maurice Alexander
ILB	2	Tremaine Edmunds	Julian Stanford
S	4	Micah Hyde	Jordan Poyer	Siran Neal	Jaquan Johnson
CB	6	EJ Gaines	Kevin Johnson	Taron Johnson	Ryan Lewis	Levi Wallace	Tre'Davious White
Defense	24
K	1	Stephen Hauschka
P	1	Corey Bojorquez
LS	1	Reid Ferguson
ST	3

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

3 minutes ago, BuffaloHokie13 said:

Here's my guess for now

 

Position	Number
QB	3	Josh Allen	Matt Barkley	Derek Anderson
RB	4	LeSean McCoy	Frank Gore	TJ Yeldon	Devin Singletary
FB	1	Patrick DiMarco
WR	6	John Brown	Cole Beasley	Robert Foster	Andre Roberts	Zay Jones	Duke Williams
TE	3	Tyler Kroft	Dawson Knox	Jason Croom
OT	4	Dion Dawkins	Cody Ford	Ty Nsekhe	LaAdrian Waddle
OG	4	Spencer Long	Quinton Spain	Jon Feliciano	Wyatt Teller
C	1	Mitch Morse
Offense	26
DE	4	Jerry Hughes	Trent Murphy	Shaq Lawson	Eli Harold
DT	4	Star Lotulelei	Ed Oliver	Harrison Phillips	Jordan Phillips
OLB	4	Lorenzo Alexander	Matt Milano	Vosean Joseph	Maurice Alexander
ILB	2	Tremaine Edmunds	Julian Stanford
S	4	Micah Hyde	Jordan Poyer	Siran Neal	Jaquan Johnson
CB	6	EJ Gaines	Kevin Johnson	Taron Johnson	Ryan Lewis	Levi Wallace	Tre'Davious White
Defense	24
K	1	Stephen Hauschka
P	1	Corey Bojorquez
LS	1	Reid Ferguson
ST	3

 

I like it - Duke Williams seems like he could worst case contribute on special teams.  

[Max Fischer]

For once, the Bills have some good problems, even before possible free agent/June 1 additions.  

 

However, any free agent signing could be a challenge.  Even upgrades at CB2, second string LB or second/third string Safety could be difficult at a reasonable price.  

 

Right now, DE might the one position I could see spending a lot to plug in a new, clear cut starter and then cut Lawson.  Would need to be something special but that player doesn't seem to exist (and even if he wasn't hurt, I don't think Ansah is that guy ).  

[whatdrought]

4 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

DiMarco would be way more important to the every down offense than the 6th WR.  The 6th WR's only true value would be as a special teams contributor. 

 

If it was actually 6 WR. But really what his breakdown has is 4 WR's and a KR. I'd rather have sills or someone with Gore playing the Dimarco role that he had last year. 

[billsfan_34]

4 hours ago, JoshAllenHasBigHands said:

 

DiMarco would be way more important to the every down offense than the 6th WR.  The 6th WR's only true value would be as a special teams contributor. 

DiMarco is serviceable at best. Not many teams have a FB anymore. I say line up. TE at have back when needed. Carrying 6 WRs is a better way to go imo.