The Bills Have a Shavers Problem?

[MikePJ76]

Just now, BillsFanForever19 said:

I mentioned this in my 53 prediction, but I think the issue with Shavers is multi faceted:

 

1.) I think he was a 52nd or 53rd guy on the roster. I had him making it, until the injuries at CB. I think that kind of screwed things for him.

 

Even moving Max to IR to Return, you need to carry an extra guy. As Tre may or may not be ready Week 1, but I don't think you shut him down for 4 weeks too. Which means you have to carry all of Strong, Jackson, and Ingram to go alongside Benford, plus White on the 53. 

 

2.) With needing extra spots for the CB room (plus KR), the keeping 6 true WR's idea is out. Which to me means the only way he makes it is if:

 

a.) Someone trades for Curtis Samuel. They aren't going to cut him, as that generates over 8.6m in Dead Cap and saves us nothing. A trade would save us 7.34m on the Cap (and generates 1.72 in Dead Cap). The problem there is finding someone to take on that money, which is unlikely. But I think they'd do it if they could.

 

b.) They keep Shavers and cut Moore. Moore saves us nothing in cutting him and generates 2.5m in Dead Cap. I think this is his most likely way of making the roster. But do they give up on his speed and the guaranteed money they gave him? I'm 50/50 on it.

i wonder if they cut codrington for week 1 and put him on the practice squad if they can than let ty johnson and whoever return kicks and figure out another punt returner. This gives them an extra roster spot for week 1 to keep an extra corner and doesn't effect wr.

 

then when white is healthy they make a move and bring codrington up.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

If they keep 6 shavers is 6th. I don’t think they’re willing to cur Moore just yet with how close they are to the cap. More likely to keep a guy and coach him up than eat the dead cap and find money to pay someone. As much as the on the field stuff matters, the contracts do as well. Samuel and Moore have player friendly, hard to cut contracts.

[rusty shackleford]

3 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

a.) Someone trades for Curtis Samuel. They aren't going to cut him, as that generates over 8.6m in Dead Cap and saves us nothing. A trade would save us 7.34m on the Cap (and generates 1.72 in Dead Cap). The problem there is finding someone to take on that money, which is unlikely. But I think they'd do it if they could.

 

I really don’t know about that. This front office has shown in the past that they are not afraid to cut someone with a good chuck of money against the cap if they’re not cutting it. OJ Howard comes to mind recently.

[BillsFanForever19]

14 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

i wonder if they cut codrington for week 1 and put him on the practice squad if they can than let ty johnson and whoever return kicks and figure out another punt returner. This gives them an extra roster spot for week 1 to keep an extra corner and doesn't effect wr.

 

then when white is healthy they make a move and bring codrington up.

 

It's an idea. But with the changes and added importance to the Return game this year and how much they used Codrington as the Core Returner all Pre-Season, I'd be surprised to see them just say "eh, just stick Ty Johnson back there for now". But maybe.

 

12 minutes ago, rusty shackleford said:

I really don’t know about that. This front office has shown in the past that they are not afraid to cut someone with a good chuck of money against the cap if they’re not cutting it. OJ Howard comes to mind recently.

 

O.J. Howard is the one example everyone goes back to over 3 years ago now. He's the exception, not the rule.

 

More importantly, it's one thing to throw away 3.1m as they did with Howard. It's another to throw away 8.6m in cutting Samuel, which equates to almost THREE O.J. Howard's.

 

That's why I said Elijah Moore and his 2.5m in guarantees is a cut possibility. Samuel is trade or he's here. No way they cut someone with THAT much guaranteed money and Dead Cap.

Edited Sunday at 03:11 AM by BillsFanForever19

[gonzo1105]

His STs are going to be what has him on the 53 but what he showed as a WR this preseason probably solidified his spot as the # 5 WR. I think Samuel will be # 4 and if they decide to sign Davis, keep Moore etc he’ll be on the roster as WR # 6 regardless 

[Billl]

13 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

I mentioned this in my 53 prediction, but I think the issue with Shavers is multi faceted:

 

1.) I think he was a 52nd or 53rd guy on the roster. I had him making it, until the injuries at CB. I think that kind of screwed things for him.

 

Even moving Max to IR to Return, you need to carry an extra guy. As Tre may or may not be ready Week 1, but I don't think you shut him down for 4 weeks too. Which means you have to carry all of Strong, Jackson, and Ingram to go alongside Benford, plus White on the 53. 

 

2.) With needing extra spots for the CB room (plus KR), the keeping 6 true WR's idea is out. Which to me means the only way he makes it is if:

 

a.) Someone trades for Curtis Samuel. They aren't going to cut him, as that generates over 8.6m in Dead Cap and saves us nothing. A trade would save us 7.34m on the Cap (and generates 1.72 in Dead Cap). The problem there is finding someone to take on that money, which is unlikely. But I think they'd do it if they could.

 

b.) They keep Shavers and cut Moore. Moore saves us nothing in cutting him and generates 2.5m in Dead Cap. I think this is his most likely way of making the roster. But do they give up on his speed and the guaranteed money they gave him? I'm 50/50 on it.

On top of this, Shavers is also 26 years old.  If he was a 22 year old second-year player, the calculus around him would be a little different.  The question becomes how much are you ever going to get out of a 26 year old developmental guy.  The list of WRs who have broken out after the age of 25 is short, and most of them have been shifty slots rather than “traits” guys.

[JerseyBills]

 

👀

These are the type of plays that get you on the 53

 

He also flashed in a regular season game last year , big guy , he was put to the test tonight and definitely passed 

[billsfan89]

Shavers has to make the 53. I think the best idea is to have Samuel start the season on the PUP and have Moore and Shavers be the back two WR's and see how they battle it out the first 6 weeks of the season. 

[NeverOutNick]

3 minutes ago, billsfan89 said:

Shavers has to make the 53. I think the best idea is to have Samuel start the season on the PUP and have Moore and Shavers be the back two WR's and see how they battle it out the first 6 weeks of the season. 

I’m good with this too although they play different roles (shavers and Moore) I think Samuel to PUP is solid if they don’t just get rid of him 

[rusty shackleford]

15 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

O.J. Howard is the one example everyone goes back to over 3 years ago now. He's the exception, not the rule.

 

More importantly, it's one thing to throw away 3.1m as they did with Howard. It's another to throw away 8.6m in cutting Samuel, which equates to almost THREE O.J. Howard's.

 

That's why I said Elijah Moore and his 2.5m in guarantees is a cut possibility. Samuel is trade or he's here. No way they cut someone with THAT much guaranteed money and Dead Cap.

Yeah I don't think the significant contact dollar difference of that comparison is something to just dismiss. I just think this regime is committed to fielding the best 53 regardless of what they are being paid. A lot of that comes down to staying healthy and Samuel just he hasn’t ben able to do it.
 

Maybe they are just being a bit cautious with Samuel now and know a lot more than us fans, I just wouldn’t be that surprised if they made a call here that a lot weren’t expecting.

[Dan]

8 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

 

👀

These are the type of plays that get you on the 53

 

He also flashed in a regular season game last year , big guy , he was put to the test tonight and definitely passed 

Honestly… is there another WR on our roster that would make that catch?  

[Billsfed1]

Shavers makes the team.  He’s played his way onto it.  

 

Whatever move they make on the back end to make it happen, i’m fine with.  All he’s done is perform, can’t ask for more than that.

[JerseyBills]

1 minute ago, Dan said:

Honestly… is there another WR on our roster that would make that catch?  

Honestly have no clue lol

Wish I could say Keon 

 

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

49 minutes ago, KOKBILLS said:

I don't start threads much...ever...

 

But he has to make this team... Right?

 

And look... Folks can talk about how he has to play ST's and all that, but... I watch an absolute TON of NFL football... The Bills are my favorite team... And I want to see Shavers catching balls from #17... Like...Actually as a part of this Offense... I think we need to see... We need to find out...

 

Am I crazy?... 

 

He has 100% earned a spot over the likes of both Samuel or Moore but the Bills seemed tied to Samuel since they ridiculously overpaid him.

[billsfan89]

10 minutes ago, NeverOutNick said:

I’m good with this too although they play different roles (shavers and Moore) I think Samuel to PUP is solid if they don’t just get rid of him 

 

Cap wise there's just no reason to get rid of Samuel and I think he could be productive if healthy and placing him on the PUP for 6 weeks and cutting Moore in season seems viable. 

[NewEra]

On 8/3/2025 at 8:58 AM, MWK said:

Season is basically over for Hairston with this injury and the missed practice time. McDermott won’t play him or trust him. Shakir should hopefully be fine. Don’t need to see losers like Shavers on the field.

 

49 minutes ago, NewEra said:

Were you the one that called him a loser?  
 

that was epic

 

40 minutes ago, Roundybout said:

Nuh uh 

This guy 🤣 @MWK

[Dan]

2 minutes ago, JerseyBills said:

Honestly have no clue lol

Wish I could say Keon 

 

Me too!   But I’m not convinced.    
 

If Shavers doesn’t, not only make the final 53, but see game time each week; I’d be a bit pissed.  Especially when they keep trotting Samuel out there to not catch a screen pass. 

[NewEra]

It really sucks that Samuel is always hurt, but considering the dead cap and the fact that he’s made big plays in huge games for us, I’d be pissed if we cut him.  He can make plays in big moments.  
 

If we keep 5, I think trade Moore or shavers.  

[Roundybout]

4 minutes ago, NewEra said:

 

 

This guy 🤣 @MWK

Total vindication!

[ganesh]

I see Shavers and Shenault make this team as #5 and #6 receivers.  I think Moore is gone.   Samuel stays due to the faith in him by the coaching staff and #17