Bills bubble watch: Who is likely to make the 53-man roster and who isn't (2024)

As the summer winds down, the Bills will have some big decisions to make for final cuts.

Even though it feels like training camp just began across the league, final cuts are due in under two weeks. NFL teams must be at or below 53 players on their active roster by Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.

With a joint practice with the Steelers and two preseason games to go, there are still major opportunities for players to make their case to make the team outright. Where do things stand with the roster before those three significant outings?

Here is a comprehensive look at the Bills roster, the bubble, and who has the most to gain or lose over the next 12 days.

Firmly on the roster (42)

QB Josh Allen, QB Mitchell Trubisky, RB James Cook, RB Ty Johnson, RB Ray Davis, FB Reggie Gilliam, WR Khalil Shakir, WR Keon Coleman, WR Curtis Samuel, WR Mack Hollins, TE Dalton Kincaid, TE Dawson Knox, LT Dion Dawkins, LG David Edwards, C Connor McGovern, RG O’Cyrus Torrence, RT Spencer Brown, OT Ryan Van Demark, IOL Alec Anderson, C Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DE Greg Rousseau, DE A.J. Epenesa, DE Von Miller, DE Dawuane Smoot, DE Javon Solomon, DT Ed Oliver, DT DaQuan Jones, DT Austin Johnson, DT DeWayne Carter, LB Matt Milano, LB Terrel Bernard, LB Baylon Spector, LB Dorian Williams, CB Rasul Douglas, CB Christian Benford, CB Kaiir Elam, NCB Taron Johnson, DB Cam Lewis, S Taylor Rapp, S Damar Hamlin, S Cole Bishop, LS Reid Ferguson

Looking like a good bet to make it (4)

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, TE Quintin Morris, OT Tylan Grable, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio

Valdes-Scantling has shaken off a slow start and has settled into a role as a top-five receiver. Morris remains the team’s third tight end and one of the go-to special teams players this summer. Grable, a 2024 sixth-round pick, has shown enough athleticism and workable traits to warrant further development. The Bills took Ulofoshio in the fifth round this year and he’s likely to develop into a long-term special teams piece, making it unlikely they’d waive him in year one.

Most likely safe, but worth mentioning (2)

K Tyler Bass

Bass has not erased some of the questions surrounding his inconsistency from 2023 as it’s carried over to training camp. It’s beginning to put the Bills in a difficult spot. His deal is fully guaranteed in 2024 and carries a cap hit of $4.42 million, along with another $3 million in prorated bonus money that would hit the Bills’ cap if released. They’ll likely stand by him no matter what, but should the struggles continue, a practice squad kicker might be in order.

P Sam Martin

If dead cap ($2.35 million) wasn’t a piece of the puzzle, Martin might be more in trouble. After a great 62-yard punt against the Bears, four of his next five punts left a bit to be desired. Three of them had a net gain of 35 yards or fewer. He’ll likely be the punter in 2024, but he’s left the door open to some competition.

Bubble watch (22 for 5 spots)

Wide receiver

Tyrell Shavers (No. 80)

Shavers is squarely on the bubble, but the Bills have gravitated toward his type of profile in the past with their final roster decisions. Shavers is versatile enough to play all three receiver positions, but more importantly, he could carve out an essential special teams role. And perhaps we had a hint, as Shavers was one of the two gunners on punt coverage on the team’s first punt against the Bears. He also later worked in on kick return and punt return. Plus, as an exclusive rights free agent after the 2025 season, the Bills would have four years of roster control with Shavers to possibly become a core special teams player moving forward.

KJ Hamler (No. 19)

Hamler’s best chance to make the team is as the team’s primary kickoff and punt return, but ball security on those reps has been an issue this summer. It was to the point that the Bills brought in another return specialist option. Hamler has gotten some time with Allen and the first unit this summer, but not an overwhelming amount. Hamler is signed for only one year with no guaranteed money.

Justin Shorter (No. 18)

The 2023 fifth-round pick is on the wrong side of the bubble at the moment, with a lot of ground to make up. They hoped he could do what Shavers has done on special teams, but Shorter’s injuries and less offensive versatility than Shavers are the two things working against him. Shorter had a nice preseason in 2023, and he’ll likely need that again to make the team.

Andy Isabella (No. 87)

Isabella enjoyed a much more significant training camp and preseason surge last year and still didn’t make the 53-man roster. Isabella’s best chance is as the primary returner, but that doesn’t seem likely at this point.

Damiere Byrd (No. 89)

The Bills brought in Byrd on Aug. 13 primarily to compete for the return job, and if he shows well enough, there’s at least a chance. It would need to be a really good performance, however, because keeping him likely means they’d have to cut a young player they’re likely excited to continue developing.

Tight end

Zach Davidson (No. 84)

Davidson is a locker-room favorite and has made some nice plays in camp, but he’s, at best, fourth on the tight end depth chart, and the Bills rarely keep that many. But if he keeps making plays in preseason, it could force the Bills’ hand.

Offensive line

La’El Collins (No. 71)

This might be somewhat of a surprise given his name recognition, veteran experience and guaranteed money ($1.5 million). But Collins has not been the versatile reserve piece they were likely hoping to get. His struggles against speed while at offensive tackle are notable, and even the movement abilities inside at guard have held him back. Collins also doesn’t factor into the backup center discussion. With more versatile and younger players, it is a definite possibility they could cut Collins. However, none of the other safe bets for the roster have any experience, which helps his case.

Will Clapp (No. 77)

Somewhat in the same boat as Collins, Clapp has guaranteed money ($287,500) and starting experience. However, Clapp struggled mightily last year, his lone year as an almost every-week starter. But he has shown the ability to work at either center or guard, which helps his case.

Richard Gouraige (No. 75)

Gouraige has primarily been an offensive tackle this summer and gotten some second-team time, though if he could show some reps at guard and do well with them, there is a path to the 53-man roster. That versatile tackle/guard role would replace what the Bills would have had with Collins. But Gouraige would need a few things to work in his favor. The Bills would have to feel that Gouraige is a better option than Collins. They’d have to feel good about Anderson and Van Pran-Granger as the backup center options to cut Clapp. And then they’d need to have all of their special teams roles filled with the other 52 players on the roster. However, it’s possible. Gouraige is a sneaky candidate this year if they keep ten offensive linemen.

Kevin Jarvis (No. 63)

He’s probably a year away from pushing for a 53-man roster spot, but the Bills have committed a full year of development to Jarvis on their practice squad. The interior offensive lineman could be an in-season call-up should injuries occur.

Defensive end

Kingsley Jonathan (No. 59)

The summer performance of rookie Javon Solomon as a pass rusher has jeopardized Jonathan’s roster spot because that was Jonathan’s big skill to add to the roster. At this point, six defensive ends sticking seems likely. But that sixth defensive end needs to be a trusted special teams player. Jonathan has chipped in on the units during his time in Buffalo, but the door is open for someone else to steal that spot.

Casey Toohill (No. 99)

If it comes down to special teams, Toohill has a decent case to win the sixth job. He has routinely worked with those units in the early stages of training camp. But the complicating factor is a groin injury that has cost him at least a week of practice and the first preseason game, leaving the door open for others.

Kameron Cline (No. 96)

If you’re looking for a name that could be the surprise of the 53-man roster, Cline is a name to remember. In the preseason game, he worked with the top unit kick return and punt team alongside all the special teams regulars. He has had his moments as a pass rusher in camp. Cline also has a distinct advantage over Jonathan and Toohill. The Bills have four years of roster control on Cline since he would be an exclusive rights free agent after 2025, whereas Jonathan has only two years and Toohill only one.

Defensive tackle

DeShawn Williams (No. 93)

Williams would be the first player in if there’s a long-term injury to one of the top four defensive tackles. But without any special teams on his résumé this year and being 31 years old, he seems like a prime practice squad addition after final cuts.

Linebacker

Nicholas Morrow (No. 52)

The Bills signed Morrow to a one-year deal, and the linebacker has $750,000 guaranteed. But three things have put him on the bubble. First, Spector has been very good this summer as Bernard’s backup middle linebacker. Second, Morrow has been out with an injury since Aug. 4. Third, Morrow was pushed by veteran Deion Jones for his roster spot even before the injury. Morrow must return to the field and prove his value on special teams to secure a spot.

Deion Jones (No. 45)

The 29-year-old Jones is on the very definition of a prove-it deal without any money guaranteed. But he’s done well with the chance in camp to at least get in the conversation. He would need to add the special teams component to stick on the 53-man roster, but he’s got a chance.

Cornerback

Daequan Hardy (No. 25)

A 2024 sixth-round pick, Hardy likely has the inside track to be the team’s top returner. But he strengthened his case for making the roster by showing he can play nickel and boundary cornerback successfully. If he finishes the preseason by giving the team confidence with his ball security as a returner, it’s looking good for Hardy to make it.

Ja’Marcus Ingram (No. 46)

Ingram very well could be the new Lewis. After two seasons on the practice squad, Ingram has made a real roster push, showing the three things necessary to win one of the last spots. He’s versatile and can play both boundary and nickel. He provides multi-unit special teams functionality. And they know they can trust him in the scheme because of those years of development. Even still, it’s not a guarantee for Ingram.

Kyron Brown (No. 32)

Brown has had some nice moments at camp this year. He’d probably need someone else to get injured to have a real shot at the roster, but Brown can play. Don’t be surprised to see him making pass breakups in the second half of preseason games.

Safety

Mike Edwards (No. 21)

The story of Edwards’ tenure with the Bills has been unavailability. Edwards missed some spring practices due to a shoulder injury and then suffered a hamstring injury early into camp and hasn’t practiced since July 28. All this time off the field is not helping his chances of starting and may hurt his odds of making the 53-man roster outright — especially if the Bills sign another safety. Edwards does have $1.6 million guaranteed. Still, they would save $1.2 million on the cap to cut him.

Kendall Williamson (No. 36)

It was notable to see Williamson get the initial second-team safety reps against the Bears, though he made some penalty and coverage mistakes along the way. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bills worked Lewis in at safety during the upcoming preseason games, just as they did last year.

Kareem Jackson (No. 27)

With the state of the safety position, anything is possible — even the team keeping the 36-year-old Jackson after he got some second-team reps against the Bears. He is more of a free safety than strong safety, which is the more significant need right now.

(Top photo of KJ Hamler: Gregory Fisher / USA Today)

Joe Buscaglia is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering the Buffalo Bills. Joe has covered the team since 2010. He spent his first five years on the beat at WGR Sports Radio 550 and the next four years at WKBW-TV in Buffalo. A native of Hamburg, N.Y., Buscaglia is a graduate of Buffalo State College. Follow Joe on Twitter @JoeBuscaglia