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Matt Parrino Projects The Bills 53 Man Roster


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I only disagree with the following:

 

1. Keeping Yeldon over Perry. For your RB#4 on the depth chart, you're going to want to keep a special teams ace over a mediocre third-down specialist who underachieved and was accused of having a bad attitude while in Jacksonville.

2. Keeping Love over Darryl Johnson. In a 4-way battle for the fourth DE spot between Love, Johnson, Yarbrough, and Harold, I'm going with the guy who has the most upside as a pass-rushing force.

3. Thompson over Stanford. You need a backup MLB on your roster. Without Stanford, we don't really have one. The preseason waiver wire is another option here.

4. Gaines over Pitts. This is my surprise cut right here. I have White and Kevin Johnson as the starters, Taron Johnson as the nickel, and Wallace as an excellent CB#4. For your fifth CB, I'm looking at special teams abilities as much as CB depth. Gaines has also been plagued with injuries for four straight seasons now, and McDermott is big on "availability," so he could be cut if he can't distinguish himself enough in preseason.

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What an upgrade across the length and breadth of the entire roster over the last two years.  It looks like a real 53 man NFL roster now.  Eric Wood said it best a couple of weeks ago.  Players that get cut from the Bill's roster will be picked up and start for other teams this year, and that hasn't been the case in a long time.

 

Edited by Inigo Montoya
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2 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

I don’t think we will see a 27/23 split between offense and defense.  I’d expect one more DB and one less RB for starters. 

I hadn't added it up (thank you), but I was immediately thinking that his projected offensive roster is a little bloated/indulgent at the skill positions.

 

I'd guess fewer WR(s) in favor of another DL, DB (or even a hard maybe on LB). Fans will thus worry over some interesting, albeit unproven, offensive players out there in the wind after cuts. It's a good "problem" to have, I say.

 

My 21st century roster-building mantra: QB plus those paid to quarrel over him (TM). That's who REALLY matters. 

 

It's not a new idea.

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1 hour ago, MichaelAbdallah said:

I only disagree with the following:

 

3. Thompson over Stanford. You need a backup MLB on your roster. Without Stanford, we don't really have one. The preseason waiver wire is another option here.

 

Your eye for detail is appreciated here. Any high-functioning 4-3 defense needs on-field fluency from its MLB. That means a clear succession plan at the position. Stanford seemed to my limited eye to grow into that role last season. 

 

However, I will go to my grave believing that #57 Lorenzo Alexander can, in a pinch, play MLB at a HIGH level in the NFL. The 2018 wildcard playoff loss to JAX is my primary evidence to support this claim.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/video/top-5-lorenzo-alexander-plays-afc-wild-card-20215128

 

Edited by Richard Noggin
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Several things I don't agree with here:

- I don't think TJ Yeldon makes the cut.

- I do think Perry makes the cut.

- Is DiMarco some sort of sacred cow?

- I didn't realize that Christian Wade could be on the team and not count against the 53. I thought he just didn't count against the 90. Does he get to suit up?

- I don't think Tyler Kroft will ever play a down as a Bill. I believe he will be cut as soon as they are allowed.

- Mike Love over Eli Harold (or Eddie Yarbrough, for that matter)? I don't think so.

- I hope they hold onto Tyree, but doubt they will. 

Edited by Rocky Landing
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6 hours ago, Badanswer said:

my surprise cut is Shaq Lawson for Darryl Johnson....I was so happy when we got Shaq but he's been a disappointment to me. Maybe I expected the next Bruce. He couldn't hold Bruce's beer.

No wonder you have been disappointed.  Nothing about Shaq said Bruce Smith.

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7 hours ago, Phil The Thrill said:

 

10 might be a stretch.  I’m thinking it could be as few as 9 (5WR and 4 TE).  The only good thing is that the Bills carry 2 QB’s instead of 3 like last year, it frees up a roster spot

 

 

 

They kept 6 WRs both of the last two years. IMO that's the best guess this year as well.

 

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5 hours ago, MichaelAbdallah said:

I only disagree with the following:

 

1. Keeping Yeldon over Perry. For your RB#4 on the depth chart, you're going to want to keep a special teams ace over a mediocre third-down specialist who underachieved and was accused of having a bad attitude while in Jacksonville.

2. Keeping Love over Darryl Johnson. In a 4-way battle for the fourth DE spot between Love, Johnson, Yarbrough, and Harold, I'm going with the guy who has the most upside as a pass-rushing force.

3. Thompson over Stanford. You need a backup MLB on your roster. Without Stanford, we don't really have one. The preseason waiver wire is another option here.

4. Gaines over Pitts. This is my surprise cut right here. I have White and Kevin Johnson as the starters, Taron Johnson as the nickel, and Wallace as an excellent CB#4. For your fifth CB, I'm looking at special teams abilities as much as CB depth. Gaines has also been plagued with injuries for four straight seasons now, and McDermott is big on "availability," so he could be cut if he can't distinguish himself enough in preseason.

It will be a tough call but Wallace will be the starter.

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10 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

I don’t think we will see a 27/23 split between offense and defense.  I’d expect one more DB and one less RB for starters. 

Excellent point! You’d think if a guy wrote an article on this subject that he’d have researched that from the get go. Does anyone know what a normal roster ratio would be? How far from 25/25 do teams stray?

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14 hours ago, Logic said:

I agree with a lot of it, but not all.

I have Perry making the roster over Yeldon due to special teams ability.

I do NOT see the Bills keeping 7 WRs, but would be pleasantly surprised if they did. I think you can subtract one receiver from that list and replace him with a tight end.

 

If Kroft is on PUP you can keep 7 and make a move in week 7 with mckenzie or duke.  

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5 hours ago, formerlyofCtown said:

No wonder you have been disappointed.  Nothing about Shaq said Bruce Smith.

He showed some quickness and flashed at Clemson...really thought he'd be that guy...nobody can be Bruce obviously

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14 hours ago, NoSaint said:

You think 6 WR and 5 TE?

 

id guess we keep 9 not 11 pass catchers 


Yes. I think Daboll is going to roll out a lot of two and three TE sets this year, a la New England. I think they like both new youngsters and Lee Smith. Those three are locks.They're not cutting Kroft. Finally, I think Croom sticks a flex TE/slot option.

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52 minutes ago, blacklabel said:

For those wondering about DiMarco, I think he sticks because he's a special teams guy and a leader, was a captain last season. 

 

Yep. DiMarco will make the team. The idea that they cut him to carry extra running backs and receivers that don't play special teams is the sort of normal pie in the sky pre-season nonsense.

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While I personally think we likely keep 6, I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up keeping 7 WRs, at least early, especially if Roberts is seen only as ST.  The guy I think would push them to keep 7 though would be Ray Ray, not McKenzie.

 

Nothing is more important than Josh’s development, so I think with the TE injuries, it may lead us to keep an extra WR until Kroft is healthy.  

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So if I have to call it right now then the changes I'd make from what he has are:

 

Out:

TJ Yeldon - I don't think the Bills are going to carry four running backs who don't play special teams. If a 4th back is carried (I don't think they will be) then Perry is more likely than Yeldon IMO.

Duke Williams - He still has ground to make up after spring practices. Maybe he is a guy who comes alive when the pads go on in July but what we saw in terms of play design in the install that the media got to watch during OTAs and mini camp was lots and lots of routes designed for slot receivers and speed receivers. I don't think this regime is going to carry a "big guy" just for the sake of having one.

Corey Bojorquez - No explanation needed here beyond my belief that Corey Carter will win the punting competition.

 

In:

Rafael Bush - I think the defensive backs are pretty set. The top 5 corners seem nailed on and Hyde, Poyer and tookie Jaquan Johnson (who has major ST value) are likely to make the roster at safety. But the Bills have not used Siran Neal as a safety during the spring. He has been the 2nd time nickel and played in some of the 1st team defense big nickel packages. That 6th corner / backup nickel and hybrid big nickel swiss army knife role mis his route onte this roster rather that as a conventional safety. I don't see Bush being cut I think he will remain their primary backup to Poyer and Hyde.

Eli Harold - The Bills have been encouraged by Trent Murphy over the offseason but they must still have a concern over his health and even when healthy Murphy, Lawson and Mike love all fit more naturally as the 6 technique than the 9 technique which could cause them a problem if they lose Jerry Hughes for any period of time. Therefore an extra Dlineman makes sense and Eli Harold has a better burst and better bend and has had some success as spot duty rusher in San Fran and Detroit.

Corey Carter - He may not have the leg of his rival (tough his own leg is decent) but he is more consistent. Bojorquez is an adventure every time the long snapper snaps the ball.

 

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