Bills Offseason moves to date & Projected Roster

[MrEpsYtown]

On the punter thing, call me crazy but I like Camarda. He is crazy athletic and gets rid of the ball quickly. Punters seem to do better in their second stop anyway. Beane specifically talked about how much they liked him pre draft a few years ago. It's his job to lose IMO. 

 

Robbins is a nothing burger to me. 

 

The punter competition to watch around the league is Ryan Stonehouse vs Jake Bailey in Miami. The Dolphins brought the Titans special teams guy over and the first thing they did was sign Stonehouse. The Bills had a chance to sign him, maybe they had no interest, but he went to a place with an established punter, which I think is telling. I do think the Bills would be in on Bailey if released. I hope that Camarda lives up to his 4th round pick draft status, lights it up and we have a cheap guy for the foreseeable future. 

[GASabresIUFan]

7 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

On the punter thing, call me crazy but I like Camarda.

The more Bulldawgs the better.  Just ask the Eagles.

Edited Friday at 12:38 PM by GASabresIUFan

[GASabresIUFan]

More roster history to chew on.

Here is the breakdown by position on the opening day roster the last 5 years (24, 23, 22, 21, 20 in that order)

OFFENSE: 23, 24, 26, 25, 27

QB: 2, 2, 2, 2, 3

RB/FB: 4, 4, 5, 5, 5

TE: 3, 3, 3, 2, 3

WR: 5, 5, 7, 7, 6

OL: 9, 10, 9, 9, 10

 

DEFENSE: 27, 26, 25, 26, 23

DT: 4, 5, 5, 5, 4,

DE/edge: 6, 5, 5, 6, 5

LB: 6, 4, 6, 6, 6

CB: 7, 7, 6, 5, 5,

S: 4, 5, 4, 4, 3,

 

Specialists:  3, 3, 2, 2, 3 - Ferguson has been cut to allow another player to be kept, and then re-signed once a player is moved to IR.

 

My current projections is

O: 23

QB: 2

RB/FB: 4

TE: 3

WR: 5

OL: 9

 

DEF: 27

DT: 5

DE/Edge: 5

LB: 5

CB: 7 (Codrington 7th)

S: 5

 

Spec: 3

 

 

[Rocky Landing]

On 3/10/2025 at 1:17 PM, GASabresIUFan said:

Extended -

1. Allen (6 years 330 Million - 250 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 36,335,281

2. Rousseau (4 years 80 million - 54 guaranteed) - cap savings 8 million, cap hit 2025 5,877,000

3. Benard (4 years 50 million - 25.2 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,528,248

4. Shakir (4 years 60.2 million - 32 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,586,787

5. Benford (4 years 69 million - 37.6 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,648,569

 

Contract restructuring

1)  Oliver - Cap Savings $10 million. 2025 cap hit 11,240,000

2)  Milano - Cap Savings $3 mill - now becomes a FA in 2026. 2025 cap hit 12,188,500

 

Trades

1) Elam CB (& a 6th) traded to Dallas for a 5th (& a future 7th) - $2.5 mill cap savings

 

Re-signed 

1) Van Denmark OT - 1 yr 1.03 million

2) Anderson  OL - 1 yr 1.03 million

3) Ferguson LS - 4 years 6.5 million (2.365 guaranteed - 2025 cap hit 1,557,500)

4) Ty Johnson RB - 2 yrs 5 mill (2025 cap hit 1,475,000)

5) Gilliam FB - 1 yr - 1,337,5000

6) Hamlin S - 1 yr - 1,337,500

 

Free Agents signed (relevant signings)

1) Palmer WR  - 3 years - 18 mill guaranteed w 36 million (max) (2025 cap hit 4.31)

2) Camarda P - 1 yr 1.1 million

3) White QB - 1 yr 1.195 million

4) Hoecht DE - 3 yrs - 13.43 guaranteed w 21million (max) (2025 cap hit 3.488)

5) Bosa DE - 1 yr 12.6 million (2025 cap hit 5.32)

6) Ogunjobi DT - 1 yr 8 mill with incentives to 10 mill. (2025 cap hit 3.106)

7) Forrest S - 1yr - 1,197,500

8.) D. Jackson CB - 1 yr - 1,197,500

9) Green OG - 1 yr - 1,070,000

10) Shenault WY - 1 yr - 1,070,000

11) White CB - 1 yr 6,800,000 max; 2025 cap hit 2,880,000

12) Moore WR - 1 yr 5 mill max

 

Released - Non Tendered

1. Miller - cap savings 8.4 million - dead cap 15.4 million

2. Martin - cap savings 2 million  - dead cap 400K

3. Morris - Non-tendered

 

Bills un-signed FAs

Hollins, Hamlin (re-signed), Gilliam (re-signed), Ty Johnson (re-signed), Smoot, Austin Johnson, Douglas, Cooper, Von Miller, Martin, Morris, Q Jefferson and J Phillips.

 

Draft Picks

1 - CB - Maxwell Hairston - 30th overall

2 - DT - TJ Sanders - 41st overall

3 - DE - Landon Jackson - 72nd overall

4 - DT - Deone Walker - 109th overall

5 - CB/S - Jordan Hancock - 170th

6 - TE - Jackson Hawes - 173rd 

7 - CB - Dorian Strong - 177th

8 - OT - Chase Lundt - 206th

9 - WR - Kaden Prather - 240th

 

Projected Roster

 

Offense (23) - Draftee, Underline = FA Signee

QBs (2) - Allen, Trubisky, Cut - White

RB/FB (4) - Cook, Davis, Ty Johnson, Gilliam (FB)

TE (3) - Kincaid, Knox, Hawes  Cut - Davidson

WR (5) - Coleman, Shakir, Samuel, Palmer, Moore  - Cut Shenault, Shavers, Prather

OL (9) - Starters - Brown, Edwards, McGovern, Torrence, Dawkins

              Depth - SVPG, Anderson, Grable, Van Denmark, Cut - Lundt, Green

 

Defense (27) - Draftee, Underline = FA Signee

DE (5) - Rousseau, AJE, Solomon, Bosa, Jackson

DT (5) - Oliver, Jones, Carter, Sanders, Walker  Cut - Logue

LB (5) - Milano, Bernard, Williams, Andreessen, Ulofoshio - Cut Spector

CB (7) - Benford, T Johnson, White, Hairston, Strong, Ingram, Codrington (KR) - Cut Jackson

S (5) - Rapp, Bishop, Hamlin, Forrest, Hancock - Cut - Lewis

 

Specialists (3)

Bass PK, Camarda P, Ferguson LS

 

Suspended: 6 games for PEDs

Ogunjobi DT

Hoecht DE

 

I very much doubt they cut Cam Lewis.

[psuscott16]

13 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

I very much doubt they cut Cam Lewis.

I think it comes down to best 2 of 3 between Hamlin, Forrest and Hancock.

 

I think Forrest was a sneaky good signing from what I heard analyst say about him. Will have to see though. 

[MrEpsYtown]

5 minutes ago, psuscott16 said:

I think it comes down to best 2 of 3 between Hamlin, Forrest and Hancock.

 

I think Forrest was a sneaky good signing from what I heard analyst say about him. Will have to see though. 

 

Just based on where he was drafted and how Beane spoke about him, Hancock is making the team. 

 

Both Lewis and Hamlin as well as Dane Jackson would easily make the practice squad if cut. As we saw in free agency, nobody wants those guys. 

[MrEpsYtown]

 

Since everyone is doing it, here is where I am...

 

Offense - 25

QB - Allen, Trubisky (2)

RB - Cook, Johnson, Davis (3)

FB - Gilliam (1)

TE - Kincaid, Knox, Hawes (3)

WR - Shakir, Coleman, Palmer, Samuel, Moore, Shavers (6)

OL - Dawkins, Edwards, McGovern, Torrence, Brown, Anderson, Grable, SVPG, RVD, Lundt (10)

 

Defense - 25

DT - Oliver, Sanders, Walker, Carter, Jones (5)

Edge -  Groot, Bosa, Jackson, Epenesa, Solomon (5)

LB - Benard, Milano, Williams, Ulofosio, Andreesen (5)

Corner - Benford, Hairston, Johnson, White, Strong, Ingram (6)

Safety - Rapp, Bishop, Hancock, Forrest, (4)

 

Specials:

Bass, Camarda, Ferguson

 

I don't know what happens when Ogunjobi and Hoecht come back. I think there is a chance Jones gets cut post June 1. I could see Epenesa traded as well. 

 

I could see Gilliam and Shavers being cut for other positions. I could also see Lundt getting cut. Hancock is making the team. I also feel pretty strongly that Strong does as well. In my world, Moore returns punts and Johnson/Davis return kicks.

Edited Friday at 05:58 PM by MrEpsYtown
added Johnson

[Rocky Landing]

8 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Just based on where he was drafted and how Beane spoke about him, Hancock is making the team. 

 

Both Lewis and Hamlin as well as Dane Jackson would easily make the practice squad if cut. As we saw in free agency, nobody wants those guys. 

Cam Lewis is a core special teamer, and a Swiss army knife in the secondary. He's not a starter, but he can play any DB position, all of which we are still thin. McD loves guys like Lewis.

[MrEpsYtown]

Just now, Rocky Landing said:

Cam Lewis is a core special teamer, and a Swiss army knife in the secondary. He's not a starter, but he can play any DB position, all of which we are still thin. McD loves guys like Lewis.

 

Yeah i put him on my 53 at the expense of Hamlin. Hancock is making the team was my point. 

 

And yeah we like Lewis, but he's been a free agent and it's nothing. If we cut him, he makes it to the practice squad 100%. 

[Rocky Landing]

5 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Yeah i put him on my 53 at the expense of Hamlin. Hancock is making the team was my point. 

 

And yeah we like Lewis, but he's been a free agent and it's nothing. If we cut him, he makes it to the practice squad 100%. 

That's still speculative, though. Shifting Hancock to safety is experimental. And if he gets beat out by Hamlin, or Jackson in TC, a fifth-round, undersized CB/S is likely as safe on the PS as Hamlin, or Jackson.

[MrEpsYtown]

21 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

That's still speculative, though. Shifting Hancock to safety is experimental. And if he gets beat out by Hamlin, or Jackson in TC, a fifth-round, undersized CB/S is likely as safe on the PS as Hamlin, or Jackson.

 

Hancock played some safety in college, and at 6-0, 195 I think he has excellent size. And yeah it's a projection but with the way Beane spoke about him and where he was drafted, he is safe. Sure it's speculation, I am saying it's a guarantee.

 

Hamlin and Lewis are garbage, bottom-of-the-roster players who no one else in the league would roster aside from us, and I base that on the fact that when they were UFAs there was zero traction. Additionally, we have a new special teams coordinator, so whatever goodwill those guys earned with the previous coordinator is gone. They are starting from the bottom IMO, just like Hancock, and he is younger and more athletic. 

 

All my opinions, obviously, but I want to see us get younger and more athletic in a number of spots, and those guys are very replaceable in my mind. 

Edited Friday at 05:17 PM by MrEpsYtown

[GASabresIUFan]

57 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Since everyone is doing it, here is where I am...

 

Offense - 25

QB - Allen, Trubisky (2)

RB - Cook, Johnson, Davis (3)

FB - Gilliam (1)

TE - Kincaid, Knox, Hawes (3)

WR - Shakir, Coleman, Palmer, Samuel, Moore, Shavers (6)

OL - Dawkins, Edwards, McGovern, Torrence, Brown, Anderson, Grable, SVPG, RVD, Lundt (10)

 

Defense - 25

DT - Oliver, Sanders, Walker, Carter, Jones (5)

Edge -  Groot, Bosa, Jackson, Epenesa, Solomon (5)

LB - Benard, Milano, Williams, Ulofosio, Andreesen (5)

Corner - Benford, Hairston, White, Strong, Ingram (5)

Safety - Rapp, Bishop, Hancock, Forrest, Lewis (5)

 

Specials:

Bass, Camarda, Ferguson

 

Hamlin, Jackson are very likely to make it to the practice squad imo. Keeping Lewis and Hancock allow you to keep less corners since they can play both. Otherwise, Jackson stays and Lewis goes. Honestly, don't care because Hamlin, Lewis are both terrible. Jackson is bad too, but I think he is better than those two.  

 

I don't know what happens when Ogunjobi and Hoecht come back. I think there is a chance Jones gets cut post June 1. I could see Epenesa traded as well. 

 

I could see Gilliam and Shavers being cut for other positions. I could also see Lundt getting cut. Hancock is making the team. I also feel pretty strongly that Strong does as well. In my world, Moore returns punts and Johnson/Davis return kicks.

Taron Johnson?  Why does everyone keep forgetting him?

[GASabresIUFan]

2 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

I very much doubt they cut Cam Lewis.

The Bills haven't kept 6 safeties to open a season in the last 5 years.  His dead cap to cut is 212K (2 mill cap hit) while Dane Jackson's is nearly 600K (1.35 cap hit).  

 

3 of the probable 5 safety slots are spoken for with Hamlin, Rapp and Bishop.  Hancock is a new draftee and if he has even a decent camp, I doubt Beane tries to slip him onto the PS, but that could happen.  That leaves Lewis and Forrest competing for the final safety slot.  Forrest's dead cap if cut is 168K (1.2 base).  Lewis advantage is that he can also play corner in a pinch, he knows our system and is a key special teams player.  Forrest's biggest advantage is his starting safety experience and he's nearly 800K less on the cap.  Thus dumping Lewis saves about 1.8 million to the cap, while dumping Forrest only saves 1 mill.

 

 

Edited Friday at 06:02 PM by GASabresIUFan

[MrEpsYtown]

21 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Taron Johnson?  Why does everyone keep forgetting him?

 

Yep huge oversight. Thank you

[Rocky Landing]

3 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

The Bills haven't kept 6 safeties to open a season in the last 5 years.  His dead cap to cut is 212K (2 mill cap hit) while Dane Jackson's is nearly 600K (1.35 cap hit).  

 

3 of the probable 5 safety slots are spoken for with Hamlin, Rapp and Bishop.  Hancock is a new draftee and if he has even a decent camp, I doubt Beane tries to slip him onto the PS, but that could happen.  That leaves Lewis and Forrest competing for the final safety slot.  Forrest's dead cap if cut is 168K (1.2 base).  Lewis advantage is that he can also play corner in a pinch, he knows our system and is a key special teams player.  Forrest's biggest advantage is his starting safety experience and he's nearly 800K less on the cap.  Thus dumping Lewis saves about 1.8 million to the cap, while dumping Forrest only saves 1 mill.

 

 

Cam Lewis is capable of playing backup safety, but he is a cornerback. He's also a core special teamer, and with the departure of Mack Hollins, and Quinten Morris, that makes Lewis that much more valuable. 

[Rocky Landing]

5 hours ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

Hancock played some safety in college, and at 6-0, 195 I think he has excellent size. And yeah it's a projection but with the way Beane spoke about him and where he was drafted, he is safe. Sure it's speculation, I am saying it's a guarantee.

 

Hamlin and Lewis are garbage, bottom-of-the-roster players who no one else in the league would roster aside from us, and I base that on the fact that when they were UFAs there was zero traction. Additionally, we have a new special teams coordinator, so whatever goodwill those guys earned with the previous coordinator is gone. They are starting from the bottom IMO, just like Hancock, and he is younger and more athletic. 

 

All my opinions, obviously, but I want to see us get younger and more athletic in a number of spots, and those guys are very replaceable in my mind. 

Fair enough, but I wouldn't put Hamlin in the same conversation as Lewis. Lewis is listed as a DB on the roster because of his versatility (something McD loves). Hamlin is only a safety, and a limited one at that. And the new special teams coordinator notwithstanding, Lewis has been a core special teamer for five seasons, and is still only 28. I certainly wouldn't equate goodwill with experience.

[folz]

Beane is really putting his money where his mouth is when it come to the philosophy of drafting, grooming, and resigning your own. All 10 of the players listed below were either Bills' draft picks or signed with the Bills as UDFAs their rookie year. Great examples for the locker room about what happens if you put the work and dedication in.

 

Extended -

1. Allen (6 years 330 Million - 250 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 36,335,281

2. Rousseau (4 years 80 million - 54 guaranteed) - cap savings 8 million, cap hit 2025 5,877,000

3. Benard (4 years 50 million - 25.2 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,528,248

4. Shakir (4 years 60.2 million - 32 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,586,787

5. Benford (4 years 69 million - 37.6 guaranteed) - 2025 cap hit 2,648,569

 

Re-signed 

1) Van Denmark OT - 1 yr 1.03 million

2) Anderson  OL - 1 yr 1.03 million

3) Ferguson LS - 4 years 6.5 million (2.365 guaranteed - 2025 cap hit 1,557,500)

5) Gilliam FB - 1 yr - 1,337,5000

6) Hamlin S - 1 yr - 1,337,500

[BearNorth]

PFF Has Lewis as the 2nd worst safety in receptions allowed, 49 completions in 390 coverage snaps, 95.8 passer rating against.  Seems like OC's like to pick on him when he's on the field. 40th percentile of safeties.

[LABILLBACKER]

On 5/2/2025 at 9:40 AM, Rocky Landing said:

Cam Lewis is a core special teamer, and a Swiss army knife in the secondary. He's not a starter, but he can play any DB position, all of which we are still thin. McD loves guys like Lewis.

We were so bad last year in ST's that we fired the coach. We're not good enough in ST's to justify keeping mediocre players just because they know the system. Players like Lewis and Hamlin have been around too long. I'm all for depth but not mediocre depth.

[noacls17]

On 5/2/2025 at 12:55 PM, Rocky Landing said:

That's still speculative, though. Shifting Hancock to safety is experimental. And if he gets beat out by Hamlin, or Jackson in TC, a fifth-round, undersized CB/S is likely as safe on the PS as Hamlin, or Jackson.

6' 194 is not undersized for a DB. He is the same size as Micah Hyde. Cam Lewis is 5'9" 183

Edited 11 hours ago by noacls17