The Buffalo Bills have released their 53-man roster. For now.
The Bills roster was the most difficult to predict in years. The Bills opted to waive fullback Ben VanSumeren and kept Keleki Latu as the fourth tight end, indicating a shift in offensive philosophy after being one of the league’s most fullback-heavy offenses in 2025.
The Bills also went light at inside linebacker and cornerback, waiving camp standouts Keonta Jenkins and Kani Walker. But more than anything, Buffalo decisions bucked what we saw throughout the preseason.
Jenkins seemed to be clearly ahead of Joe Andreessen on the depth chart, logging more reps and getting them on the first- and second-team defenses. Mike Danna seemed to be behind or neck and neck with Andre Jones Jr. at outside linebacker, but the Bills kept the veteran.
Joe Brady was unpredictable after nine years of predictability on cutdown day.
Quarterbacks (2): Josh Allen, Kyle Allen
Grade: A
Analysis: Any quarterback room with Josh Allen can’t get lower than an A. Kyle Allen had a much better training camp than he did in 2023, but he’s not the same caliber backup as Mitchell Trubisky. With Trubisky, the Bills could feel confident they could win a game or two if Allen went down for a short stretch. But while Kyle Allen might not evoke the same confidence, there are few backups around the league that would if their star was injured.
Running backs (3): James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson
Grade: A-minus
Analysis: Cook is one of the NFL’s elite backs. Johnson is a solid third-down back and Davis performed well in his lone start in 2024. But if the Bills had to play without Cook for an extended stretch, there’s not enough proof Davis can carry the load full-time.
Wide receivers (5): Skyler Bell, Keon Coleman, D.J. Moore, Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir
Injured reserve (1): Tyrell Shavers.
Grade: B-minus
Analysis: Based on what we’ve seen in training camp, this should be a much improved group. Moore has looked like the receiver the Bills thought they would get when they traded for him. Shakir spent most of the preseason injured, but he’s going to be solid. The group will hinge upon Palmer and Coleman. Palmer had a strong preseason and looked like a dangerous third option after battling injuries last year. And if Coleman can mature and become consistent, this has the potential to be a deep room.
Tight ends (4): Jackson Hawes, Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Keleki Latu
Grade: A-plus
Analysis: The Bills added a fourth member to the band. Hawes, Kincaid and Knox already formed one of the NFL’s top tight end trios and they added Latu after a year on the practice squad. Expect to see a heavy dose of multi-tight end packages. And if Kincaid remains healthy, he could emerge as one of the league’s top receiving tight ends.
Offensive linemen (10): Alec Anderson, Jude Bowry, Spencer Brown, Austin Corbett, Lloyd Cushenberry III, Dion Dawkins, Tylan Grable, Connor McGovern, Ar’Maj Reed Adams, O’Cyrus Torrence
Grade: B-plus
Analysis: We know the Bills have four strong returning starters. But there are questions after that. How will Anderson fare as a full-time starter? Corbett and Cushenberry have plenty of experience, but have battled multiple major injuries. Beyond them, there’s not much experience if the starters can’t maintain their remarkable healthy streak.
Interior defensive linemen (6): DeWayne Carter, Greg Gaines, Landon Jackson, Ed Oliver, T.J. Sanders, Deone Walker
Injured reserve (1): Zane Durant.
Suspended (1): Phidarian Mathis.
Grade: B-minus
Analysis: This could end up being a foolish grade. Walker could end up being a breakout star. Oliver is a game-wrecker when he’s healthy, but missed a good chunk of camp with an undisclosed injury. Jackson and Sanders had good camps, but sometimes it’s different when the games are real. There’s just not enough information to go on, especially in a new scheme.
Outside linebackers (6): Bradley Chubb, Mike Danna, Michael Hoecht, TJ Parker, Greg Rousseau, Javon Solomon
Grade: B
Analysis: Chubb and Rousseau are going to be solid. Rousseau has a real opportunity to have a dynamic season in Jim Leonhard’s defense. But Parker had an uneven preseason, which is expected for a rookie. Hoecht could change the room, but we don’t know if his Achilles is ready for a full-time role and the Bills have been hushed about whether it will be similar to what he did last year before the injury.
Inside linebackers (4): Joe Andreessen, Terrel Bernard, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, Dorian Williams
Grade: C-plus
Analysis: The Bills went light on the position — Sean McDermott never kept fewer than five — which means they desperately need Bernard to overcome recent injury struggles, physically and mentally. Williams wasn’t trusted as a three-down linebacker during his first three seasons, but the new coaching staff thinks highly of him. And Elarms-Orr had a strong first half of camp and a quiet second half.
Cornerbacks (5): Dee Alford, Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Jordan Hancock, Davison Igbinosun
Grade: B
Analysis: This could be a boom or bust group. We don’t know how Benford fits into Leonhard’s defense schematically. Hairston has taken a lot of heat, especially after another lower-body injury. He was solid in limited snaps as a rookie, but we haven’t seen enough of him in real-game situations to make a determination. Igbinosun had strong moments in his first camp, but the Bills also went light at the position so health is paramount.
Safeties (5): Cole Bishop, Sam Franklin Jr., C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Damar Hamlin, Jalon Kilgore
Grade: B
Analysis: Bishop and Gardner-Johnson have a chance to be a very good tandem. But Gardner-Johnson hasn’t practiced much over the last month due to a calf strain. Hamlin has 27 starts on his resume, but it doesn’t appear to be a deep group.
Special teams (3): Tyler Bass, Tommy Doman Jr., Reid Ferguson
Grade: C
Analysis: There was legitimate concern about Bass before he missed last season with an injury. The doubts haven’t subsided, so he can only kick his way out of it. Doman is unknown as a rookie, while Ferguson is a stalwart. The big question is who will handle punt returns.
NOTES: Seventh-round CB Toriano Pride Jr. (Cleveland Browns) was the lone Bills player claimed off waivers. … FB Ben VanSumeren signed to the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad. … P Mitch Wishnowsky signed with the New England Patriots.