Bills Initial Roster - No real surprises

[Bruffalo]

3 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I had not noticed til now that they have Hancock listed in front of Hamlin.

I am a fan.

Sal does. The Bills don't. From https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-roster-2025-full-53-man-roster-announced

 

[sunshynman]

22 minutes ago, syhuang said:

 

No that's some fine GM speak!

[Rocky Landing]

The only thing that's a slight surprise to me is that having gone with Codrington over Shenault, they still kept six WRs. This offense is loaded with legit receivers, even if it may lack an elite WR. But, given Samuel's dead cap hit of $12+ (according to Spotrac), and Shaver's ascendence, six it is. It's going to be a lot of fun watching how many targets are slung in a game. And hopefully this is the season we get a little value out of Samuel.

[Success]

I guess I'm higher on Coddrington than most.  I think he's one of the better returners we've had over the years.

 

[NickelCity]

2 hours ago, Success said:

I guess I'm higher on Coddrington than most.  I think he's one of the better returners we've had over the years.

 

 

He is a good returner, but for the new kickoff rule in particular, I'd rather have Shenault. Obviously carrying both of them isn't feasible, and punting is 50% of the equation (strongly in Codrington's favor)

[Rocky Landing]

4 hours ago, Success said:

I guess I'm higher on Coddrington than most.  I think he's one of the better returners we've had over the years.

 

I agree. I think the problem for a lot of fans have is that they'd rather have a good CB (or other skill position) who was also a returner, rather than a good returner who was also a CB. The same fans bemoaned the roster spots held by players like Taewan Jones, Siran Neal, Cam Lewis, and others who've been primarily ST players, and only play their listed position in an absolute pinch.

 

Codrington is a first rate P/KR-- as good as Hines, or Andre Roberts IMO, and the numbers back that up. It makes absolute sense to me to have a dedicated P/KR, and depth players who have aptitudes as gunners, jammers, and blockers often make the 53 over players who are better at their listed positions because field position matters.

 

 

Edited August 28 by Rocky Landing

[Victory Formation]

Adding Poyer was a surprise to me, but I think I like the move. He’s a good mentor for Bishop and Rapp and he’s probably an upgrade over Hamlin.

[GASabresIUFan]

8 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

The only thing that's a slight surprise to me is that having gone with Codrington over Shenault, they still kept six WRs. This offense is loaded with legit receivers, even if it may lack an elite WR. But, given Samuel's dead cap hit of $12+ (according to Spotrac), and Shaver's ascendence, six it is. It's going to be a lot of fun watching how many targets are slung in a game. And hopefully this is the season we get a little value out of Samuel.

This is a 4 receiver offense (plus the backs); Kincaid and Shakir inside, Coleman and Palmer outside.  I doubt Samuel, Shavers or Moore see much PT.  The top 4 will receive 60 to 100 targets each, Cook sees 40-50 and the rest get the leftovers. 

[Rocky Landing]

41 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

This is a 4 receiver offense (plus the backs); Kincaid and Shakir inside, Coleman and Palmer outside.  I doubt Samuel, Shavers or Moore see much PT.  The top 4 will receive 60 to 100 targets each, Cook sees 40-50 and the rest get the leftovers. 

It's remarkable to me that you leave out Ty Johnson, whose receiving abilities, along with his pass pro, make him what Josh Allen refers to as "the best third-down back in the league." He will likely be relied upon every game in third down situations. Those receptions aren't "leftovers." In 2024, Allen averaged 8-9 receiving targets per game, and only two players saw more than 60 targets in the regular season (Shakir, and Kincaid). 

 

But it's way too early to say who's going to get the bulk of targets for the season, anyway. I don't imagine anybody was predicting last September that Mack Hollins would get over 50 targets on offense-- fourth most on the team. I don't think there were too many people who predicted Shakir was going to explode into the team's leading receiver at 100 reg-season targets. (Shoutout to @Alphadawg7, who did make that prediction). Samuel, Shavers, Moore, and the rest will get their opportunities on offense, and if one of them shows up more than the others, they will get more targets. For all we know, Josh Palmer could be this year's MVS.

 

Be that as it may, my point stands. It'll be fun to see how many different receivers Josh hits in a game.

[GASabresIUFan]

10 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

It's remarkable to me that you leave out Ty Johnson, whose receiving abilities, along with his pass pro, make him what Josh Allen refers to as "the best third-down back in the league." He will likely be relied upon every game in third down situations. Those receptions aren't "leftovers." In 2024, Allen averaged 8-9 receiving targets per game, and only two players saw more than 60 targets in the regular season (Shakir, and Kincaid). 

 

But it's way too early to say who's going to get the bulk of targets for the season, anyway. I don't imagine anybody was predicting last September that Mack Hollins would get over 50 targets on offense-- fourth most on the team. I don't think there were too many people who predicted Shakir was going to explode into the team's leading receiver at 100 reg-season targets. (Shoutout to @Alphadawg7, who did make that prediction). Samuel, Shavers, Moore, and the rest will get their opportunities on offense, and if one of them shows up more than the others, they will get more targets. For all we know, Josh Palmer could be this year's MVS.

 

Be that as it may, my point stands. It'll be fun to see how many different receivers Josh hits in a game.

Actually most people thought Shakir followed by Kincaid would receive the lions share of targets following Diggs’ departure.   
 

As to Ty Johnson,  he is the 3rd back in the RB rotation.  As much as we the fans like him, he only had 25 targets last season.  Baring injury to Cook or Davis (G-d forbid) his role will remain similar to last season.  
 

Josh attempted only 483 passes last season (all attempts 495) the second lowest he’s attempted in a full season.  If you round that to 500 attempts, how are you allocating between Palmer, Kincaid, Shakir, Coleman, Cook, Davis, Johnson, Knox, Hawes, Shavers, Moore and Samuel? Last season, the top 4 pass catchers received 57% of the targets.  With the addition of Palmer, a healthy Kincaid and an improved Coleman, I’m expecting that number to increase to 62-65%.  Also the backs had 17% of the targets.  I’m expecting that to remain steady.  That only leaves 20% (or about 100 targets) of the targets to be allocated between, Moore, Shavers, Samuel, Knox and Hawes. 

[Rocky Landing]

3 minutes ago, GASabresIUFan said:

Actually most people thought Shakir followed by Kincaid would receive the lions share of targets following Diggs’ departure.   
 

As to Ty Johnson,  he is the 3rd back in the RB rotation.  As much as we the fans like him, he only had 25 targets last season.  Baring injury to Cook or Davis (G-d forbid) his role will remain similar to last season.  
 

Josh attempted only 483 passes last season (all attempts 495) the second lowest he’s attempted in a full season.  If you round that to 500 attempts, how are you allocating between Palmer, Kincaid, Shakir, Coleman, Cook, Davis, Johnson, Knox, Hawes, Shavers, Moore and Samuel? Last season, the top 4 pass catchers received 57% of the targets.  With the addition of Palmer, a healthy Kincaid and an improved Coleman, I’m expecting that number to increase to 62-65%.  Also the backs had 17% of the targets.  I’m expecting that to remain steady.  That only leaves 20% (or about 100 targets) of the targets to be allocated between, Moore, Shavers, Samuel, Knox and Hawes. 

Before the season started, Shakir was getting nowhere near the love he did once the season was underway. Ty Johnson started '24 as third on the depth chart, and finished listed as co-#2. But yes, I believe he will continue to be utilized as the third down back, as I said. I'm not sold on Palmer, as most folks on here are, any more than I was on MVS last season. Who knows? But, I have no idea what your point is. Are you saying that Allen won't average 8+ different targets a game, as he did last season? I don't think you are. But, you do seem to be suggesting that Moore, Shavers, etc. will not have the opportunity to move up in this offense the way Hollins did last season, which I certainly do not agree with. Not saying they will, but they will have the opportunity.

[Paup 1995MVP]

8 hours ago, GASabresIUFan said:

This is a 4 receiver offense (plus the backs); Kincaid and Shakir inside, Coleman and Palmer outside.  I doubt Samuel, Shavers or Moore see much PT.  The top 4 will receive 60 to 100 targets each, Cook sees 40-50 and the rest get the leftovers. 

Our receivers like our DB’s are always banged up over the 17 game season.  All 6 receivers will get opportunities.  It’s a real solid group this year.  At least on paper it is. 

[The Jokeman]

17 hours ago, Rocky Landing said:

The only thing that's a slight surprise to me is that having gone with Codrington over Shenault, they still kept six WRs. This offense is loaded with legit receivers, even if it may lack an elite WR. But, given Samuel's dead cap hit of $12+ (according to Spotrac), and Shaver's ascendence, six it is. It's going to be a lot of fun watching how many targets are slung in a game. And hopefully this is the season we get a little value out of Samuel.

Shenault was horrible in kick coverage his last game. I think that's what cost him. Codrington might not be a great cover corner but he costs less than Shenault would had we kept him and as tight we are against the cap than savings does factor in decision. 

[uticaclub]

14 hours ago, NickelCity said:

 

He is a good returner, but for the new kickoff rule in particular, I'd rather have Shenault. Obviously carrying both of them isn't feasible, and punting is 50% of the equation (strongly in Codrington's favor)

It’s not. The Bills only forced 49 punts, while the D gave up 78 touchdowns. 

[skibum]

I'm surprised DeWayne Carter made the 53. I guess they figured he would get picked up on waivers? But every other PS player including Frank Gore Jr. passed thru, so I don't see why Carter wouldn't have. 

[Pecos Bills]

2 hours ago, uticaclub said:

It’s not. The Bills only forced 49 punts, while the D gave up 78 touchdowns. 

But they only actually returned 24 total kickoffs for yardage, while Codrington had 27 punt returns for yardage.

[uticaclub]

27 minutes ago, Pecos Bills said:

But they only actually returned 24 total kickoffs for yardage, while Codrington had 27 punt returns for yardage.

The new rules are intended to promote more kick returns.

[billsfan89]

1 hour ago, skibum said:

I'm surprised DeWayne Carter made the 53. I guess they figured he would get picked up on waivers? But every other PS player including Frank Gore Jr. passed thru, so I don't see why Carter wouldn't have. 

 

Possible they might just like Carter more than Zion? It's not like there was much competition for a 5th DT spot with Larry O suspended. I think they probably just hope Carter could work on things. They drafted him in round 3 for a reason. I think if there aren't any injuries once Larry O gets back they are gonna put him back on the PS.

[Brand J]

Just now realized we have a stranglehold on this name:

 

Jordan Hancock

Jordan Poyer

Jordan Phillips

[jahnyc]

Carter's roster spot may not be safe after players come back from suspensions and IR.