The Bills 53

I had the privilege of attending most of the Bills’ practices at St. John Fisher University (I live 8 minutes away), so I thought I’d put my daily notes on practice into form. Hopefully there are some players we disagree upon, so we can engage in calm and mature discourse on Xwitter. Hit me up.

I think the Bills won’t skimp on playmakers for Joe Brady’s “Everyone Eats” Offense. In my world, the Bills make use of IR to stash Claypool and Isabella, give the hard-working and conscientious Tyrell Shavers a spot, and place Justin Shorter on the Practice Squad IF (and only if) K.J. Hamler is healthy. The varied skillsets will allow Brady to mix and match depending on opponent. I’ve greyed out those who are likely gone, but in 4 shades of grey, with MV-S offering more doubt than Johnson, Keys, and Harrity, in that order.

‘Here’s where I’ll get the most push-back: Zach Davidson offers more than Morris, especially in the red zone and as a backup punter. For now, Dawson Knox is in Beane’s short-term IR stash, but when he returns, Morris is getting traded or put on the PS. Goodbye, Kitty.

The Bills are keeping 10 O-Linemen, with the Bills saying adieu to La’el. The cross-training Kromer has done might allow the Bills to keep 9 on the roster, but I liked what I saw from each of the ten, and doubt that Beane would put Grable or Gouraige on the Practice Squad –our twos are better than many of the NFL’s ones, and LTs don’t grow on trees. I have four sticking around on the PS, with Travis Clayton counting as a 17th PS member due to the International Pathway program.

I have two quarterbacks and four running backs on the 53, with Darrynton Evans over Frank Gore Jr. –Evans can return kicks, is bigger, and has equally good hands. Shane Buechele throws a nice ball, but isn’t immune from “The Turk”, in my opinion. We’ll see what happens around the league on Labor Day. Ty Johnson might find himself on temporary IR to save a spot on the 53, but none of these guys is a big bruising back like the 2025 draft’s “Thunder” RBs, all seen in more than one game last year by Bills scouts: Phil Mafah, Kaytron Allen, and Nick Singleton. DeaMonte Trayanum, Tahj Brooks, Cam Skattebo, and Ja’Quinden Jackson were also seen, but just in one game.

The Bills’ D-Line will be a feature in the coming season. I have them keeping 10, with Smoot and Solomon fully convincing me that they belong on the 53-man roster. I want to profess my love for Casey Toohill, and he’d be my 54th man. With DaQuan Jones’ age and injury history, Beane could keep a third 1-tech (Ankou?), but I think this will be an early selection in the 2025 draft, with lots of interest by the Bills in the Day-1 and Day-2 guys (Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Jaheim Oatis, Tyleik Williams, and Nazir Stackhouse).

I’m keeping five LBs, with people questioning me on Nicholas Morrow over Eduafon Ulofoshio. Morrow is an excellent LB on run downs, short yardage, and goal line specialty. He can back up either Milano or Bernard. Morrow had 66 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 3 sacks last year, and while I don’t expect similar numbers, he complements Dorian Williams and Baylon Spector better than Ulo, who needs seasoning in his ability to stick and match in coverage in the NFL. It’s hard not to love Eduafon’s energy and fearlessness, though. He’d be my 55th man after Toohill.

The Bills are down a few men in the defensive backfield, and this, coupled with a new coach, Jahmile Addae, you’ll need to keep ten here. Beane will use his IR Stash for Bishop and Edwards, although Edwards looked pretty much ready the last practice I went to, but hammys are tricky. Hardy’s an easy add, Ingram sticks due to his versatility and upside, although he’s not as fast. Cam Lewis is loved by the coaches despite his diminutive size, so Kareem Jackson is that big safety who’s a slobberknocker that balances the group. I love the Practice Squad adds, especially Keni-H Lovely. I hope Bishop and Edwards return soon. The draft has many great safety choices, and I’d look early for one or two among Malaki Starks (Addae was his coach), Kevin Winston Jr. (best interview, only Safety with a 85+ PFF Grade in both run defense and pass coverage categories), Keon Sabb (more about his performance in Bills-scouted games soon), Major Burns, and Xavier Watts.

That makes 53 when you add in the kicking game:

The Practice Squad:

Editor’s babble: This looks like a very interesting roster by Dean Kindig. We thank him for all his contributions to our blog. You can also find Dean on Xwitter @TCBILLS_Astro.