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Some seismic changes have taken place at One Bills Drive since last January’s gut-wrenching divisional playoff overtime loss at Denver.
There is a young and energetic new head coach in Joe Brady. There is a gorgeous new stadium to call home. And superstar quarterback Josh Allen is not only a dad, but his age now begins with the numeral three.
“I don't really think about it too much,” Allen said regarding the fact that he’s entering his ninth NFL season. “It feels like I'm still in year three or four and the time does fly by and just trying to enjoy every moment of it.”
The one thing that hasn’t changed is the expectation that the Bills are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and the pressure to end the franchise’s forever championship drought may be at an all-time high.
Buffalo is the only NFL team to have made the playoffs each of the last seven years, it is one of just four teams in league history to win at least one postseason game in six or more consecutive years. The difference is the other three teams to achieve this — the Patriots (2011-18), Chiefs (2018-23) and Cowboys (1991-96) — all won multiple Super Bowls while the Bills haven’t even appeared in one.
Allen is trying to enjoy every moment, but his tears following the loss in Denver were a clear indication of just how frustrating Buffalo’s inability to get over the hump has been.
Is this the year it finally happens? Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the roster as the Bills begin training camp at St. John Fisher University, including my prediction of which 53 will open the season Sept. 13 in Houston.
▶ Starter: Josh Allen.
▶ Reserves: Kyle Allen, Shane Buechele.
▶ Sal’s take: Pretty, pretty, pretty sure that Josh Allen’s starting job is safe. As for who the backup will be, that’s a slightly more difficult call. Mitch Trubisky was a solid No. 2 in 2021 and then in 2024 and 2025, even though Allen’s durability provided little opportunity for Trubisky. But he’s gone and Kyle Allen is not at the same level as Trubisky and Buechele certainly isn’t, so this is definitely a year where the Bills can ill afford to lose their superstar for any length of time.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: J. Allen, K. Allen.
▶ Starter: James Cook.
▶ Reserves: Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Frank Gore Jr., Ian Wheeler, Ben VanSumeren (FB), Jackson Acker (FB).
▶ Sal’s take: In the first year of his new contract, Cook was one of the best players in the NFL, not only at his position but all positions. He won the league rushing title with 1,621 yards, just the second Bills running back to do it, joining four-time champ O.J. Simpson. Cook will surely be great in 2026, too, but the Bills may need to rely on him a little less after a season in which he had 309 carries while hardly playing at all in the 17th game. Davis was used far less than he was in 2024, but that might have to change this year to make sure Cook stays fresh.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Cook, Johnson, Davis, VanSumeren.
▶ Starters: Khalil Shakir, D.J. Moore, Keon Coleman.
▶ Reserves: Joshua Palmer, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Virgil, Skyler Bell, Mecole Hardman, Stephen Gosnell, Ja’Mori Maclin, Quentin Skinner, Mac Dalena, Max Tomczak.
▶ Sal’s take: Moore was brought to Buffalo to be the No. 1 receiver, however you define that. He has been a tremendously consistent producer in his entire career, even though he’s generally had lackluster QBs throwing him the ball. He might really benefit from playing with Allen. Shakir figures to be old reliable just as he always is, but the big question will be can Coleman or Palmer step up and be a reliable and productive No. 3? Bell will get a look, but it seems like he’s going to be in an apprentice type role as a rookie fourth-round pick.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Moore, Shakir, Palmer, Coleman, Bell, Sherfield.
▶ Starter: Dalton Kincaid.
▶ Reserves: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, Keleki Latu, Shane Zylstra.
▶ Sal’s take: Somehow, someway, Kincaid has to stop getting hurt. The talent is undeniable and when he’s on the field, the Bills’ offense is better, no doubt about it. However, he played just 57% of the snaps in 2024 and a mere 38% last season because of persistent knee problems. If he’s healthy, forget about Coleman or Palmer. The Bills will go with Moore, Shakir, Kincaid and Knox in two-tight-end sets. Knox serves a dual purpose, Hawes is a tremendous blocker, but Kincaid is the key player in the group.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Kincaid, Knox, Hawes.
▶ Starters: Connor McGovern (C), Austin Corbett (LG), O’Cyrus Torrence (RG).
▶ Reserves: Alec Anderson (G), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (G-C), Lloyd Cushenberry (G-C), Nick Broeker, Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Bruno Fina, Da’Metrius Weatherspoon.
▶ Sal’s take: Re-signing McGovern was as important a transaction as any that Brandon Beane made in the offseason. One of the few training camp battles worth watching will be Corbett vs. Anderson for the left guard spot vacated by departed free agent David Edwards. It’s not an easy hole to patch because Edwards was reliable and available for two years and his intelligence was every bit as impressive as his skill. Corbett has the experience but has suffered through several injuries; Anderson hasn’t played much, but his grit and determination and nasty attitude give him a great chance.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: McGovern, Torrence, Corbett, Van Pran-Granger, Anderson, Cushenberry.
▶ Starters: Dion Dawkins (LT), Spencer Brown (RT).
▶ Reserves: Tylan Grable, Jude Bowry, Chase Lundt.
▶ Sal’s take: They have been starting together pretty much from the start of Brown’s career when he was a third-round pick in 2021, and they have become a rock solid duo. However, Brown’s play dipped slightly because of some injury struggles last year while Dawkins flat out didn’t have the type of performance we’ve come to expect and he admitted he played a little too heavy. The Bills need them back at the top of their game because the depth is terribly inexperienced.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Dawkins, Brown, Grable, Bowry.
▶ Starters: Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker.
▶ Reserves: DeWayne Carter, Zane Durant, Zion Logue, Landon Jackson, Phidarian Mathis, Travis Clayton, Tommy Akingbesote, Kody Huisman.
▶ Sal’s take: This is the most interesting position group to watch because we just don’t know how new coordinator Jim Leonhard is going to line these guys up. The belief is that Oliver will really thrive in the odd-man front, and it might help Sanders, too. Walker is coming off a very nice rookie season, but it looks like he’s going to be asked to play on the nose which would be a new role for him that he’ll need to adapt to. Competition here is going to be fierce with Carter, Jackson, Durant, Logue and Mathis battling and there’s probably not going to be room for them all.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Oliver, Sanders, Carter, Walker, Durant, Jackson.
▶ Starters: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb.
▶ Reserves: Michael Hoecht, Mike Danna, T.J. Parker, Javon Solomon, Andre Jones, Cade Denhoff.
▶ Sal’s take: Chubb was signed specifically because he has played most of his career as a stand-up edge rusher in an odd-man front. This is a new deal for Rousseau, though he’s probably going to be rushing the passer on most of his snaps, same as it was when he played as a 4-3 end. Hoecht and Danna also have experience in this position, and if Hoecht is healthy, he could be a huge factor. And then there’s Parker, the second-round pick who should be a contributor right from the start. This has the chance to be one of Buffalo’s best position groups.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Rousseau, Chubb, Hoecht, Parker, Danna.
▶ Starters: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams.
▶ Reserves: Joe Andreessen, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, Jimmy Ciarlo, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
▶ Sal’s take: Unlike edge rusher/outside linebacker, this has the chance to be the weakest position group on the team. Bernard has struggled with injuries and some inconsistency while Williams has been a backup player now thrust into a starting job with the departure of Matt Milano. Behind them, it’s scary with only Andreessen and rookie fifth-round pick Elarms-Orr. You could see the Bills sign a veteran this summer, and Shaq Thompson could be at the top of their list.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bernard, Williams, Andreessen, Elarms-Orr.
▶ Starters: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Dee Alford (NCB).
▶ Reserves: Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock (NCB), Toriano Pride Jr., Te’Cory Couch (NCB), Jordan Dunbar, Kani Walker.
▶ Sal’s take: Hairston was Buffalo’s first-round pick in 2025 who had his rookie season cut in half by injuries, and the drafting of Igbinosun in the second round with a new DC in charge was a clear sign that Hairston is going to have to win the starting job opposite Benford. Igbinosun may take a little time to adapt to the NFL so Hairston should have the advantage, but he also needs to prove he can stay on the field. Alford takes over for Taron Johnson, and those won’t be easy cleats to fill. Hancock’s role in this defense will be interesting; is he a nickel corner or is he a safety?
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Benford, Hairston, Igbinosun, Alford, Pride, Hancock.
▶ Starters: Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
▶ Reserves: Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore, Damar Hamlin, Sam Franklin, Wande Owens.
▶ Sal’s take: After an injury-shortened rookie season, Bishop established himself as a starter in 2025 and his arrow is pointing up, especially now that he’ll be paired with a veteran playmaker and leader like Gardner-Johnson. Leonhard will be able to use those two players in a variety of roles which should make the Bills’ coverage schemes a little more difficult to decipher. Stone should be a solid vet backup, and Kilgore is a player the Bills are high on because of his multiple skill sets.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bishop, Gardner-Johnson, Stone, Kilgore.
▶ Starters: Tyler Bass (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Reid Ferguson (LS).
▶ Reserve: Tommy Doman (P).
▶ Sal’s take: Hey, we have a legitimate punter competition as Wishnowsky was re-signed as a free agent and the Bills used a seventh-round pick on Doman. Bass is returning after missing all of 2025 and he has to prove himself all over again, especially after Matt Prater stepped in so capably last season and made 90% of his field goals plus a 50-yarder at the gun that sent the Denver playoff game into overtime.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bass, Doman, Ferguson.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who's in, who's out? Our Bills roster projection before camp
Continue reading...
There is a young and energetic new head coach in Joe Brady. There is a gorgeous new stadium to call home. And superstar quarterback Josh Allen is not only a dad, but his age now begins with the numeral three.
“I don't really think about it too much,” Allen said regarding the fact that he’s entering his ninth NFL season. “It feels like I'm still in year three or four and the time does fly by and just trying to enjoy every moment of it.”
The one thing that hasn’t changed is the expectation that the Bills are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and the pressure to end the franchise’s forever championship drought may be at an all-time high.
Buffalo is the only NFL team to have made the playoffs each of the last seven years, it is one of just four teams in league history to win at least one postseason game in six or more consecutive years. The difference is the other three teams to achieve this — the Patriots (2011-18), Chiefs (2018-23) and Cowboys (1991-96) — all won multiple Super Bowls while the Bills haven’t even appeared in one.
Allen is trying to enjoy every moment, but his tears following the loss in Denver were a clear indication of just how frustrating Buffalo’s inability to get over the hump has been.
Is this the year it finally happens? Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of the roster as the Bills begin training camp at St. John Fisher University, including my prediction of which 53 will open the season Sept. 13 in Houston.
Quarterback
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▶ Starter: Josh Allen.
▶ Reserves: Kyle Allen, Shane Buechele.
▶ Sal’s take: Pretty, pretty, pretty sure that Josh Allen’s starting job is safe. As for who the backup will be, that’s a slightly more difficult call. Mitch Trubisky was a solid No. 2 in 2021 and then in 2024 and 2025, even though Allen’s durability provided little opportunity for Trubisky. But he’s gone and Kyle Allen is not at the same level as Trubisky and Buechele certainly isn’t, so this is definitely a year where the Bills can ill afford to lose their superstar for any length of time.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: J. Allen, K. Allen.
Running back
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▶ Starter: James Cook.
▶ Reserves: Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Frank Gore Jr., Ian Wheeler, Ben VanSumeren (FB), Jackson Acker (FB).
▶ Sal’s take: In the first year of his new contract, Cook was one of the best players in the NFL, not only at his position but all positions. He won the league rushing title with 1,621 yards, just the second Bills running back to do it, joining four-time champ O.J. Simpson. Cook will surely be great in 2026, too, but the Bills may need to rely on him a little less after a season in which he had 309 carries while hardly playing at all in the 17th game. Davis was used far less than he was in 2024, but that might have to change this year to make sure Cook stays fresh.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Cook, Johnson, Davis, VanSumeren.
Wide receiver
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▶ Starters: Khalil Shakir, D.J. Moore, Keon Coleman.
▶ Reserves: Joshua Palmer, Trent Sherfield, Jalen Virgil, Skyler Bell, Mecole Hardman, Stephen Gosnell, Ja’Mori Maclin, Quentin Skinner, Mac Dalena, Max Tomczak.
▶ Sal’s take: Moore was brought to Buffalo to be the No. 1 receiver, however you define that. He has been a tremendously consistent producer in his entire career, even though he’s generally had lackluster QBs throwing him the ball. He might really benefit from playing with Allen. Shakir figures to be old reliable just as he always is, but the big question will be can Coleman or Palmer step up and be a reliable and productive No. 3? Bell will get a look, but it seems like he’s going to be in an apprentice type role as a rookie fourth-round pick.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Moore, Shakir, Palmer, Coleman, Bell, Sherfield.
Tight end
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▶ Starter: Dalton Kincaid.
▶ Reserves: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, Keleki Latu, Shane Zylstra.
▶ Sal’s take: Somehow, someway, Kincaid has to stop getting hurt. The talent is undeniable and when he’s on the field, the Bills’ offense is better, no doubt about it. However, he played just 57% of the snaps in 2024 and a mere 38% last season because of persistent knee problems. If he’s healthy, forget about Coleman or Palmer. The Bills will go with Moore, Shakir, Kincaid and Knox in two-tight-end sets. Knox serves a dual purpose, Hawes is a tremendous blocker, but Kincaid is the key player in the group.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Kincaid, Knox, Hawes.
Interior offensive line
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▶ Starters: Connor McGovern (C), Austin Corbett (LG), O’Cyrus Torrence (RG).
▶ Reserves: Alec Anderson (G), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (G-C), Lloyd Cushenberry (G-C), Nick Broeker, Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Bruno Fina, Da’Metrius Weatherspoon.
▶ Sal’s take: Re-signing McGovern was as important a transaction as any that Brandon Beane made in the offseason. One of the few training camp battles worth watching will be Corbett vs. Anderson for the left guard spot vacated by departed free agent David Edwards. It’s not an easy hole to patch because Edwards was reliable and available for two years and his intelligence was every bit as impressive as his skill. Corbett has the experience but has suffered through several injuries; Anderson hasn’t played much, but his grit and determination and nasty attitude give him a great chance.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: McGovern, Torrence, Corbett, Van Pran-Granger, Anderson, Cushenberry.
Offensive tackle
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▶ Starters: Dion Dawkins (LT), Spencer Brown (RT).
▶ Reserves: Tylan Grable, Jude Bowry, Chase Lundt.
▶ Sal’s take: They have been starting together pretty much from the start of Brown’s career when he was a third-round pick in 2021, and they have become a rock solid duo. However, Brown’s play dipped slightly because of some injury struggles last year while Dawkins flat out didn’t have the type of performance we’ve come to expect and he admitted he played a little too heavy. The Bills need them back at the top of their game because the depth is terribly inexperienced.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Dawkins, Brown, Grable, Bowry.
Defensive tackle
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▶ Starters: Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker.
▶ Reserves: DeWayne Carter, Zane Durant, Zion Logue, Landon Jackson, Phidarian Mathis, Travis Clayton, Tommy Akingbesote, Kody Huisman.
▶ Sal’s take: This is the most interesting position group to watch because we just don’t know how new coordinator Jim Leonhard is going to line these guys up. The belief is that Oliver will really thrive in the odd-man front, and it might help Sanders, too. Walker is coming off a very nice rookie season, but it looks like he’s going to be asked to play on the nose which would be a new role for him that he’ll need to adapt to. Competition here is going to be fierce with Carter, Jackson, Durant, Logue and Mathis battling and there’s probably not going to be room for them all.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Oliver, Sanders, Carter, Walker, Durant, Jackson.
Outside linebacker/edge rusher
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▶ Starters: Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb.
▶ Reserves: Michael Hoecht, Mike Danna, T.J. Parker, Javon Solomon, Andre Jones, Cade Denhoff.
▶ Sal’s take: Chubb was signed specifically because he has played most of his career as a stand-up edge rusher in an odd-man front. This is a new deal for Rousseau, though he’s probably going to be rushing the passer on most of his snaps, same as it was when he played as a 4-3 end. Hoecht and Danna also have experience in this position, and if Hoecht is healthy, he could be a huge factor. And then there’s Parker, the second-round pick who should be a contributor right from the start. This has the chance to be one of Buffalo’s best position groups.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Rousseau, Chubb, Hoecht, Parker, Danna.
Linebacker
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▶ Starters: Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams.
▶ Reserves: Joe Andreessen, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, Jimmy Ciarlo, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles.
▶ Sal’s take: Unlike edge rusher/outside linebacker, this has the chance to be the weakest position group on the team. Bernard has struggled with injuries and some inconsistency while Williams has been a backup player now thrust into a starting job with the departure of Matt Milano. Behind them, it’s scary with only Andreessen and rookie fifth-round pick Elarms-Orr. You could see the Bills sign a veteran this summer, and Shaq Thompson could be at the top of their list.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bernard, Williams, Andreessen, Elarms-Orr.
Cornerback
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▶ Starters: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Dee Alford (NCB).
▶ Reserves: Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock (NCB), Toriano Pride Jr., Te’Cory Couch (NCB), Jordan Dunbar, Kani Walker.
▶ Sal’s take: Hairston was Buffalo’s first-round pick in 2025 who had his rookie season cut in half by injuries, and the drafting of Igbinosun in the second round with a new DC in charge was a clear sign that Hairston is going to have to win the starting job opposite Benford. Igbinosun may take a little time to adapt to the NFL so Hairston should have the advantage, but he also needs to prove he can stay on the field. Alford takes over for Taron Johnson, and those won’t be easy cleats to fill. Hancock’s role in this defense will be interesting; is he a nickel corner or is he a safety?
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Benford, Hairston, Igbinosun, Alford, Pride, Hancock.
Safety
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▶ Starters: Cole Bishop, C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
▶ Reserves: Geno Stone, Jalon Kilgore, Damar Hamlin, Sam Franklin, Wande Owens.
▶ Sal’s take: After an injury-shortened rookie season, Bishop established himself as a starter in 2025 and his arrow is pointing up, especially now that he’ll be paired with a veteran playmaker and leader like Gardner-Johnson. Leonhard will be able to use those two players in a variety of roles which should make the Bills’ coverage schemes a little more difficult to decipher. Stone should be a solid vet backup, and Kilgore is a player the Bills are high on because of his multiple skill sets.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bishop, Gardner-Johnson, Stone, Kilgore.
Special teams
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▶ Starters: Tyler Bass (K), Mitch Wishnowsky (P), Reid Ferguson (LS).
▶ Reserve: Tommy Doman (P).
▶ Sal’s take: Hey, we have a legitimate punter competition as Wishnowsky was re-signed as a free agent and the Bills used a seventh-round pick on Doman. Bass is returning after missing all of 2025 and he has to prove himself all over again, especially after Matt Prater stepped in so capably last season and made 90% of his field goals plus a 50-yarder at the gun that sent the Denver playoff game into overtime.
▶ Sal’s picks for the 53: Bass, Doman, Ferguson.
Sal Maiorana has covered the Buffalo Bills for more than four decades including 37 years as the full-time beat writer/columnist for the D&C. He has written numerous books about the history of the team, and he is also co-host of the BLEAV in Bills podcast/YouTube show. He can be reached at [email protected], and you can follow him on X @salmaiorana and on Bluesky @salmaiorana.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Who's in, who's out? Our Bills roster projection before camp
Continue reading...
