Associated Press

Bills 53-man roster projection

By Ryan Talbot | Contributing writer

The Buffalo Bills will make their fair share of roster moves before September, but it's time to take a look at the team's current roster following the 2018 NFL Draft. Eight rookies, as well as the team's undrafted free agents, will fight for roster spots. Based on the team's current roster, here is NYUP's post-NFL Draft projection of the 53-man roster in 2018.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Quarterback (3)

In: AJ McCarron, Nathan Peterman, Josh Allen

No surprises here. The Bills carry all three of the quarterbacks currently on their roster. GM Brandon Beane has said that rookie quarterback Josh Allen will start as the team's No. 3 quarterback, but he'll have a chance to win the starting job at training camp.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Running back/fullback (4)

In: LeSean McCoy, Patrick DiMarco, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet

Out: Aaron Green, Taiwan Jones, Marcus Murphy, Keith Ford

McCoy will be the Bills' workhorse in 2018. As it stands, Chris Ivory is the favorite to be the team's No. 2 back and Patrick DiMarco will be the team's starting fullback. The last running back job should be considered wide open, but Cadet gets the nod for now due to his versatility.

Don't Edit

Wide receiver (6)

In: Kelvin Benjamin, Zay Jones, Jeremy Kerley, Andre Holmes, Rod Streater, Ray-Ray McCloud

Out: Quan Bray, Kaelin Clay, Malachi Dupre, Austin Proehl, Brandon Reilly, Cam Phillips, Robert Foster

This is a position that the Bills will likely address between now and September. Benjamin, Jones and Kerley are the favorites to be Buffalo's top three as it stands. Beyond the trio, no one seems like a lock to make the roster. Holmes' special teams play gets him a spot in this roster projection and McCloud's versatility gives him a shot to make the 53-man roster. The final spot goes to Streater as he looked like he was on his way to making the team's roster last season before suffering a serious toe injury.

With 13 players fighting for roster spots, this should be one of the more interesting battles at training camp.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Tight end (4)

In: Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Khari Lee, Logan Thomas

Out: Jason Croom, Keith Towbridge

Charles Clay and Nick O'Leary will make up Buffalo's top two tight ends in 2018. Khari Lee gets the No. 3 nod for his blocking ability. There's no guarantee that Buffalo carries four tight ends, but Thomas currently has the edge over Croom and Towbridge for the job. That said, Thomas will have to take the next step in his development this summer.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Offensive tackle (4)

In: Dion Dawkins, Jordan Mills, Marshall Newhouse, Conor McDermott

Out: Josh James, De'Ondre Wesley, Mo Porter, Gerhard de Beer

Dawkins showed great promise at left tackle as a rookie and will look to build off of his performance in his second season. At right tackle, Jordan Mills will likely have to compete with Marshall Newhouse for the starting role. As long as they hold their own this summer, both players should make the 53-man roster. The last spot currently goes to McDermott, but he'll have no shortage of competition at training camp.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Interior offensive line (5)

In: John Miller, Ryan Groy, Russell Bodine, Vlad Ducasse, Wyatt Teller

Out: Eric Wood (retirement), Adam Redmond, Wilson Bell, Ike Boettger

Replacing Richie Incognito and Eric Wood won't be easy, but the Bills will make the most of what they have on their roster. Incognito's retirement could give Miller a chance to get his career back on track after a disappointing 2017 season. Groy and Bodine will likely compete for the starting center job while Vlad Ducasse is the favorite to take the right guard job. Wyatt Teller will start the season as depth, but could see his role increase throughout his rookie season.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Defensive end (5)

In: Jerry Hughes, Shaq Lawson, Trent Murphy, Eddie Yarbrough, Terrence Fede

Out: Marquavius Lewis, Owa Odighizuwa, Mat Boesen, Mike Love

Buffalo needs to get more pressure out of this unit in 2018. Don't be surprised if Lawson and Murphy rotate at one defensive end spot while Jerry Hughes starts at the other. Yarbrough will also compete for snaps as the team's fourth defensive end after a decent 2017 campaign. The last spot goes to Fede due to his special teams play.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Defensive tackle (4)

In: Kyle Williams, Star Lotulelei, Harrison Phillips, Adolphus Washington

Out: Rickey Hatley, Tenny Palepoi

The combination of Williams and Lotulelei should improve Buffalo's run defense. Rookie Harrison Phillips will make an impact as the team's top reserve at the position as a rookie. For now, Adolphus Washington holds on to the last defensive tackle spot. He's far from a lock to make the final roster and will need to prove himself at training camp.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Linebacker (6)

In: Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Lorenzo Alexander, Tanner Vallejo, Ramon Humber, Julian Stanford

Out: Deon Lacey, Xavier Woodson-Luster, Corey Thompson

Tremaine Edmunds should make an instant impact with the Bills in 2018. With a revamped defensive line in front of him, Edmunds should be able to use his athleticism to rack up tackles. Milano will look to build off of his strong play as a rookie and Alexander will take the other starting job. Behind the trio, Vallejo, Humber and Stanford will provide depth while also contributing on special teams.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Cornerback (5)

In: Tre'Davious White, Vontae Davis, Phillip Gaines, Taron Johnson, Levi Wallace

Out: Ryan Carter, Breon Borders, Lafayette Pitts

The Bills' outside cornerbacks are set with White and Davis. The slot cornerback job will likely be an open competition between Gaines and Johnson, Buffalo's fourth round pick. The last spot goes to Wallace, an undrafted free agent out of Alabama. If Buffalo keeps a sixth cornerback, Carter, an undrafted free agent from Clemson, could take the spot over Borders and Pitts.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Safety (4)

In: Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Siran Neal, Rafael Bush

Out: Dean Marlowe, Kelcie McCray, L.J. McCray

Poyer, Hyde and Neal all seem like locks to make Buffalo's 53-man roster. The fourth safety job, however, will be up for grabs. Bush takes the spot in our first 53-man roster projection, but the player who stands out most on special teams may take the job.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

Special teams (3)

In: Stephen Hauschka, Colton Schmidt, Reid Ferguson

Out: Cory Carter, Tyler Davis

Buffalo's special teams trio seems set. Carter would have to really stand out this summer to have a chance to win the punter job.

Don't Edit

Associated Press

More Buffalo Bills coverage from NYUP.com