With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview, we now have the clearest picture this offseason of what the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster could look like in July or September, yet a multitude of minor changes could conceivably occur from now until the team takes the field at St. Johnson Fisher University.
For a team that will return 12 of the 13 highest snap-percentage offensive players from a season ago, there aren’t a litany of open jobs. However, due to the sweeping coaching changes and implementation of an entirely
new defensive scheme under coordinator Jim Leonhard, the defensive roster, depth chart, and certainly roles are significantly more cloudy even now more than any point over the past eight years.
With that, here’s my first 53-man roster projection of 2026…
Quarterback (2)
- Josh Allen
- Kyle Allen
The law firm of Allen and Allen has opened business once again in Orchard Park. They’ll be the two quarterbacks, with Shane Buechele serving as the trusty QB3.
Running Back (3)
- James Cook
- Ray Davis
- Ty Johnson
Without a running back added in the draft, I’ll be short and sweet here. No changes.
Wide Receiver (6)*
- D.J. Moore
- Khalil Shakir
- Josh Palmer
- Keon Coleman
- Skyler Bell
- Trent Sherfield
Post-draft this projection feels pretty cut and dry, especially after Beane’s firm positive stance on Coleman after the draft. The only spot that feels up for grabs is that WR6 gig. At this stage, that competition would be between Sherfield and Mecole Hardman, and their respective but different special-teamsx value may be the ultimate decider as to who sneaks onto the 53-man roster.
Tight End (3)
- Dalton Kincaid
- Dawson Knox
- Jackson Hawes
I’ll focus on Hawes here — he played 43% of the offensive snaps as a rookie and turned in a damn good first season in the NFL, particularly for a fifth-round pick. There’s untapped receiving potential in Hawes, and he absolutely has the game to be the stand-in for the departed Reggie Gilliam as a lead-blocking fullback when needed.
Offensive Line (10)
- Dion Dawkins
- Alec Anderson
- Connor McGovern
- O’Cyrus Torrence
- Spencer Brown
- Austin Corbett
- Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
- Lloyd Cushenberry
- Tylan Grable
- Jude Bowry
The Bills have kept as many as 10 offensive linemen over the past few years — that’s the number I’m rolling with for the time being. No major surprises here. Also, given the abundance of interior blocking candidates in this group, we probably can all agree one of them ultimately materializes as The Beane Late August Trade Chip 2026. I still view Chase Lundt as more practice-squad-candidate-at-best than someone ready to make the jump to the roster.
Defensive Line (7)
- Ed Oliver
- Deone Walker
- T.J. Sanders
- Phidarian Mathis
- DeWayne Carter
- Landon Jackson
- Zane Durant
Here, we’re thinking interior defensive linemen and those sturdy, gap-controlling five techniques who’ll align on the outside shoulder of either offensive tackle. Beyond Oliver and Walker — the ultra obvious — I subtly adore the dirty-work “production” upside of Sanders, Jackson, and especially Mathis, given his vast experience in this role at Alabama. Carter is most on the roster bubble of this group with the steepest climb to make it.
Inside Linebacker (4)
- Terrel Bernard
- Dorian Williams
- Joe Andreessen
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr
As it currently stands, Keonta Jenkins and Hard Knocks cult hero Jimmy Carlo would conceivably battle for LB5 at inside linebacker. Beane’s going to add a veteran inside ‘backer at some point, probably sooner than later, who would almost assuredly leapfrog those two to make the front office consider keeping five at the position. For now, my prediction features four such players.
Rush Linebacker (4)*
- Greg Rousseau
- Bradley Chubb
- Javon Solomon
- T.J. Parker
Seems light, doesn’t it? Yet this is the case when you’re deploying a base three-man front, and it speaks to the clear-cut need the Bills had entering the draft at the rush linebacker spot. Of course, when Michael Hoecht returns, whenever that might be during the 2026 season, some decisions will have to be made, and it’s safe to assume that Solomon would be the player Hoecht would replace if the Bills decide to make a one-for-one transaction.
Defensive Backs (10)*
- Christian Benford
- Maxwell Hairston
- Dee Alford
- Davison Igbinosun
- Cole Bishop
- CJ Gardner-Johnson
- Jordan Hancock
- Geno Stone
- Jalon Kilgore
- Sam Franklin Jr.
The acquisition of Stone makes me think it’ll be him vs. Damar Hamlin for one of the deep-depth safety spots at the bottom of the roster. Benford and Hairston are your starting boundary CBs — although Beane only referenced them as “penciled in” in his post-draft presser, which I thought was a little strange, maybe a slip of the tongue? Igbinosun could very well battle with Hairston for that other outside gig, or maybe Leonhard doesn’t love Benford’s fit in his defense? We shall see. Alford and Kilgore provide both ends of the spectrum pertaining to what any team could need at nickel corner, and Franklin Jr. makes the roster on special teams alone. I’m enamored with Hancock’s upside as a dual-purpose defensive back in Leonhard’s scheme. And speedy sixth-round pick Toriano Pride Jr. is the ideal practice squad cornerback to start his NFL career.
Specialists (3)
- Reid Ferguson
- Mitch Wishnowsky
- Tyler Bass
Giving the nod for now to Wishnowsky despite the freshness of sixth-round pick punter Tommy Doman Jr. The two others selections aren’t surprising, particularly Ferguson.
*IR to start the season candidates include CB Dorian Strong, EDGE Michael Hoecht, and WR Tyrell Shavers
