How many draft picks make the 53 man roster to start the season??

[ChattanoogaBills]

Im going to say over four. The truth is we could have all seven make the roster. How much they contribute is another thing. But to have late round prospects every year earning spots on this stacked of a team. That truly shows the importance of not trading late round picks to move up in the draft. So lets look at each draft pick.

 

2nd round: AJ Epensa DE... roster lock ... We were lucky to get him at this slot. Im personally glad we didnt trade up. Awesome pick.

 

3rd round: Zach Moss RB...roster lock... We all wanted the bills to draft a RB. I personally wanted Dillon, Akers, Gibson, Moss then Perine in that order. But this guy is a beast and we got great value for him in the 3rd. 

 

4th round: Gabe Davis WR... roster lock ... He probably pushes Robert Foster off the roster or on the trading block/Practice Squad. Deep threat also should be gunner on punt teams. Foster is facing a make or break situation now.

 

5th round: Jake "from state" Fromm QB ... roster lock ... He wont play a down other than preseason. But there's no way we risk him trying to put him on the practice squad.

So he makes the roster by default. This will be Matt Barkleys last year here. Great pick may be traded in the future for a higher draft pick then we spent on him.

 

6th round: Tyler Bass K ...  I think he replaces Hauska this year. But he's not a lock... I will say he goes to the PS for the sake of arguments. Still a good pick.

 

6th round: Isaiah Hodgens WR ... I'll say he makes the roster.... Great pick ... Big body wr with great hands. He runs good routes. I think he pushes Duke Williams off the roster this year. 

 

7th round: Dane Jackson CB ... I'll say he doesn't make the roster if EJ Gaines stays healthy.... So that would mean he'll make it by default actually. Competitive player who wraps up and makes the tackle in front of him. Plays the ball in the air well enough to break up alot of passes. Awesome pick in the 7th round.

 

Yes our best opportunity to win with Allen on his rookie deal. But consistently drafting late round gems is what makes dynasties.

So I've got five draft picks making the roster. (Six if you think EJ gets hurt before the season).

How many do you think make our deepest roster in a long time??

Go Bills!!!

Edited May 5, 2020 by ChattanoogaBills

[FireChans]

I think they all make it honestly. Or all of them except Jackson. 

[ny33]

Davis is a 4th round pick, but not necessarily a lock. It’s unlikely, but if Foster shows the work ethic again, it’s possible that he makes the team and Hodgins takes Williams’ spot. 

 

Obviously draft picks at his draft slot tend to make the roster- and I like Davis- but the competition for WR 4-6 (assuming we keep 6) will be fierce. 

[billsfan89]

Hodges is on the bubble, not sure if he can beat out Mackenzie, Foster and Duke. Dane Jackson is likely to be on the PS. Moss, AJ, Davis, Fromm and Bass are likely to all make the roster. 

[GETTOTHE50]

3 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

Hodges is on the bubble, not sure if he can beat out Mackenzie, Foster and Duke. Dane Jackson is likely to be on the PS. Moss, AJ, Davis, Fromm and Bass are likely to all make the roster. 

idt foster or duke makes the roster. These 4 are a lock for wideouts: Diggs, brown, Beasley, and McKenzie. The last two maybe three spots are going to weed out foster n duke imo 

[billsfan89]

1 minute ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

idt foster or duke makes the roster. These 4 are a lock for wideouts: Diggs, brown, Beasley, and McKenzie. The last two maybe three spots are going to weed out foster n duke imo 

 

Davis I think is a lock over McKenzie, I think that the competition for WR 5 is going to be insane (WR6 will be Roberts as a return man) McKenzie, Foster, Duke, and Hodgins will all be competing for one roster spot. 

[MJS]

I'll say 5.

[auburnbillsbacker]

This coaching staff will make these guys win a spot.  Everyone drafted from round 4 on is going to have to play well to make the team and the order that they were drafted means nothing.

[GETTOTHE50]

34 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

 

Davis I think is a lock over McKenzie, I think that the competition for WR 5 is going to be insane (WR6 will be Roberts as a return man) McKenzie, Foster, Duke, and Hodgins will all be competing for one roster spot. 

oh yea totally forgot about Roberts. I think he’s a given to make the team too unless he’s lost a step. 

[billsfan89]

4 minutes ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

oh yea totally forgot about Roberts. I think he’s a given to make the team too unless he’s lost a step. 

 

Roberts game isn't based off of speed all that much and he isn't coming off of a major injury so I think his level of play should maintain. His best qualities are his reliability in fielding the ball and his patience in the return game. 

[Bob in STL]

The first four (Epenesa, Moss, Davis, Fromm) all make it the 53.  Epenesa and Moss will play in their positional rotation.  Davis sits for awhile, unless he can play ST.  Fromm carries clip board. 

 

The kicker is a wild card.  He could make the team, he could even make it as a kickoff guy depending on other things. 

 

Hodgins and Jackson will start the year on the PS.   

Edited May 6, 2020 by Bob in STL

[ChattanoogaBills]

1 hour ago, ny33 said:

Davis is a 4th round pick, but not necessarily a lock. It’s unlikely, but if Foster shows the work ethic again, it’s possible that he makes the team and Hodgins takes Williams’ spot. 

 

Obviously draft picks at his draft slot tend to make the roster- and I like Davis- but the competition for WR 4-6 (assuming we keep 6) will be fierce. 

I had such high hopes for foster going into last year. If his work ethic was the problem again last year i would think his time here is very short. I could see them trying to feature him in the preseason and get a draft pick for him. Maybe even a couple games to start the year.

I just dont see coaches wanting to keep trying to push foster to work harder for success. He went undrafted and has been cut before he should already want it imo.

So im going with davis over foster or Duke. But i understand nothing is given to anyone. Davis will out work foster imo.

[Punching Bag]

These are assuming all of these players are healthy and stay healthy which they may not be by end of camp since most were never in NFL shape and 

• 2nd round: AJ Epensa DE... roster lock ... 
• 3rd round: Zach Moss RB... roster lock..
• 4th round: Gabe Davis WR... roster lock 
• 5th round: Jake Fromm QB ... depends what he shows in camp, how much of a match he is with Josh and how much he like Buffalo.   
• 6th round: Tyler Bass K ... Bills go with 3 kickers not wanting to risk him or season.  Lots of people will be unhappy. 
• 6th round: Isaiah Hodgens WR ... Lots of teams had chance to sign him.  PS
• 7th round: Dane Jackson CB ... on PS or just cut depending how dedicated he is

 

[In Summary]

I would like to see a young player be able to do one of the following:

1. Reliable returns while also contributing in their core position role, or
2. (a receiver) be able to run the McKenzie misdirection/gimmick offensive plays AND contribute downfield. 

This would allow the Bills to get more value from an active roster spot.  McKenzie's skill set and play selection seem predictable to some degree with little likelihood of contributing as a down-field receiver.  Roberts is a near-zero contributor as a receiver.  It feels like when you have both a place kicker and a kick-off specialist instead of a complete kicker who takes only a single active roster spot.  You would rather a player be more complete or "versatile" and McDermott/Beane prefer. 

 

I'm not predicting that either of the rookie receivers are necessarily this guy.

 

[LABILLBACKER]

2 hours ago, FireChans said:

I think they all make it honestly. Or all of them except Jackson. 

I agree. They all make it except Jackson. Fromm will be our backup, Bass our new kicker. Both wrs make it as Foster, RayRay and Easley say goodbye.

[Don Otreply]

AJE, ZM, Bass, both receivers, and the QB are keepers.  I think Foster who has trouble tracking the ball and really has not performed at all, and McKenzie who only does one thing, get replaced by the new guys, plenty of talent on the team to cover the jet sweeps, and STs needs. I can see moving on from Roberts being he is only doing KR, he not what you would call versatile.  

[Thurman#1]

9 hours ago, FireChans said:

I think they all make it honestly. Or all of them except Jackson. 

 

 

Yeah, this.

[Victory Formation]

All but Dane Jackson, he goes to the PS.

[machine gun kelly]

If I’m betting, my guess is Hodgins and Jackson goes to the PS, the rest make it forcing Duke and Foster if they are still eligible also going to the PS.  Ray Ray and Easley are camp guys who get cut.  It’s also possible Smith, the TE could get cut, but they’d be thin at 3 so would only happen if we picked someone up off the street.

[Back2Buff]

I don't think Hodgens makes it.  He has very slow feet.  It will be very easy to NFL DBs to defend him. 

 

I also am not sure if Fromm makes it.  He is not better than Barkley right now and this team needs depth at other positions right now.  Don't see us carrying 3 QBs.

 

Dane Jackson is interesting to me.  I think he might make it.  He is a very physical player which this team loves.  I'm not a huge fan of Taron Johnson and want more competition at nickel CB.  I hope Jackson can provide that.

 

 

[Artem Lipatov]

Epeneza and RB are locks.

The most interesting will be fight for WR spots. 

McKenzie, Rayray, Easley are expendable, goodbye.

Foster is another thing. I still remember his 1st season flashes. Although his 2nd season was absolutely disappointment he has a speed and ability to make big plays in NFL. I would give him last chance.

Roberts is  only returner and nothing special. Yes, reliable, no fumbles,  but I don't remember a TD return or any long return from him all season. Why to spend a WR spot on this mediocrity?

Duke is my fan favourite last season, but now I woud give the road for 2 young draftees.

The situation is a bit similar to Haushka/young kicker and Barkley/Fromm. If rookies are little inferior to old guys today keep in mind that rookies will impove in future and oldsters will deteriorate 

 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

17 hours ago, ChattanoogaBills said:

Im going to say over four. The truth is we could have all seven make the roster. How much they contribute is another thing. But to have late round prospects every year earning spots on this stacked of a team. That truly shows the importance of not trading late round picks to move up in the draft. So lets look at each draft pick.

 

2nd round: AJ Epensa DE... roster lock ... We were lucky to get him at this slot. Im personally glad we didnt trade up. Awesome pick.

 

3rd round: Zach Moss RB...roster lock... We all wanted the bills to draft a RB. I personally wanted Dillon, Akers, Gibson, Moss then Perine in that order. But this guy is a beast and we got great value for him in the 3rd. 

 

4th round: Gabe Davis WR... roster lock ... He probably pushes Robert Foster off the roster or on the trading block/Practice Squad. Deep threat also should be gunner on punt teams. Foster is facing a make or break situation now.

 

5th round: Jake "from state" Fromm QB ... roster lock ... He wont play a down other than preseason. But there's no way we risk him trying to put him on the practice squad.

So he makes the roster by default. This will be Matt Barkleys last year here. Great pick may be traded in the future for a higher draft pick then we spent on him.

 

6th round: Tyler Bass K ...  I think he replaces Hauska this year. But he's not a lock... I will say he goes to the PS for the sake of arguments. Still a good pick.

 

6th round: Isaiah Hodgens WR ... I'll say he makes the roster.... Great pick ... Big body wr with great hands. He runs good routes. I think he pushes Duke Williams off the roster this year. 

 

7th round: Dane Jackson CB ... I'll say he doesn't make the roster if EJ Gaines stays healthy.... So that would mean he'll make it by default actually. Competitive player who wraps up and makes the tackle in front of him. Plays the ball in the air well enough to break up alot of passes. Awesome pick in the 7th round.

 

Yes our best opportunity to win with Allen on his rookie deal. But consistently drafting late round gems is what makes dynasties.

So I've got five draft picks making the roster. (Six if you think EJ gets hurt before the season).

How many do you think make our deepest roster in a long time??

Go Bills!!!

Agree mostly. Fromm was a fifth round pick. It’s not unusual at all for fifth round QBs to land on the PS. 

[Orlando Tim]

I think 5 with the it being AJ, Davis, Moss, Fromm( with Barkley being cut), and the kicker making the 53. The rest are PS if they make it.

[gonzo1105]

I think Epenesa, Moss and Davis are locks. I think Fromm is 50/50, Bass and Hauschka make the team, Hodgins and Jackson don’t 

[Just Joshin']

4 hours ago, Artem Lipatov said:

Epeneza and RB are locks.

The most interesting will be fight for WR spots. 

McKenzie, Rayray, Easley are expendable, goodbye.

Foster is another thing. I still remember his 1st season flashes. Although his 2nd season was absolutely disappointment he has a speed and ability to make big plays in NFL. I would give him last chance.

Roberts is  only returner and nothing special. Yes, reliable, no fumbles,  but I don't remember a TD return or any long return from him all season. Why to spend a WR spot on this mediocrity?

Duke is my fan favourite last season, but now I woud give the road for 2 young draftees.

The situation is a bit similar to Haushka/young kicker and Barkley/Fromm. If rookies are little inferior to old guys today keep in mind that rookies will impove in future and oldsters will deteriorate 

 

Roberts was an all pro returner - while not having a TD return does not make him a bad returner.  There is value to sure hands and a good return average.

 

That said, if a rookie can deliver the same then bye to Roberts.  The tie goes to a rookie who can return and be the 6th WR.

[DrDawkinstein]

Epenesa, Moss, Fromm, Bass. So 4.

 

I dont think Davis is a lock, simply due to the lack of rookie camps and OTAs. It will be tougher on rookies who need to learn the offense and build chemistry.

 

I think Davis and Hodgens make the PS.

 

Jackson gets released.

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

Picking a kicker in the 6th rd is the equivalent of taking a QB in the 1st rd at pick 15. I’m 90% sure Bass will be our kicker this year unless he has a absolutely horrid pre season. 
 

 

[somnus00]

I don't know if any are locks after Epenesa and Moss. But they all have a chance to make the final roster. I have a feeling that Hodgins will be a better pro than Davis. He seems to be the right kind of WR that Allen needs. A big target. Like Duke, Hodgins doesn't get much separation. But, unlike Duke, the young man CATCHES EVERYTHING. I can see Josh giving Hodgins a chance to make a play on the ball.

[Back2Buff]

2 hours ago, Just Joshin' said:

Roberts was an all pro returner - while not having a TD return does not make him a bad returner.  There is value to sure hands and a good return average.

 

That said, if a rookie can deliver the same then bye to Roberts.  The tie goes to a rookie who can return and be the 6th WR.

 

My biggest grip about the entire draft, this team didn't get faster.

 

I wanted them to draft a better version of McKenzie.  Someone that can stretch the field, run some Jet sweeps, and be the returner.  Like a Hardman from KC.

 

Roberts taking up a spot on this team kind of irritates me, not because he isn't decent at what he does, it's just so little in today's NFL.

 

[Manther]

On 5/5/2020 at 5:26 PM, billsfan89 said:

Hodges is on the bubble, not sure if he can beat out Mackenzie, Foster and Duke. Dane Jackson is likely to be on the PS. Moss, AJ, Davis, Fromm and Bass are likely to all make the roster. 

I’m going to say Hodges and Dane PS.  The other 5 can potentially make the team.  I will account for an IR player out of those 5, so 4 make the team of our draft picks.

 

If there is one or two CB injuries in camp Dane can make the team.  If he makes the team I think he could do surprisingly well.

[Motor26]

On 5/6/2020 at 12:15 PM, DrDawkinstein said:

Epenesa, Moss, Fromm, Bass. So 4.

 

I dont think Davis is a lock, simply due to the lack of rookie camps and OTAs. It will be tougher on rookies who need to learn the offense and build chemistry.

 

I think Davis and Hodgens make the PS.

 

Jackson gets released.

I don’t think they would have drafted Davis in the 4th if they didn’t plan on keeping him on the roster. Guess we will have to see how he compares to Foster.

[John from Riverside]

On 5/6/2020 at 7:17 AM, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Agree mostly. Fromm was a fifth round pick. It’s not unusual at all for fifth round QBs to land on the PS. 

It is when they played on top college football teams and played in bowl games every year......it was just a year ago where this guy was being talked about as a high pick......

 

 

[Locomark]

On 5/5/2020 at 6:53 PM, LABILLBACKER said:

I agree. They all make it except Jackson. Fromm will be our backup, Bass our new kicker. Both wrs make it as Foster, RayRay and Easley say goodbye.

I think this is the ideal. However if the off-season is shortened in any way, I bet one of those new WRs ends up on the practice squad with Jackson just due to reps. Easley and RayRay are most definitely gone. 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

9 hours ago, John from Riverside said:

It is when they played on top college football teams and played in bowl games every year......it was just a year ago where this guy was being talked about as a high pick......

 

 

but yet 166 picks later, still there 

[John from Riverside]

5 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

but yet 166 picks later, still there 

Right.....but the situation changes when they dont have to give up an asset for them and have had a chance to re evaluate their roster after the draft.