The Buffalo Bills currently have 71 players on their roster. National Football League rules allow for each team to carry 90 players and bring that many to training camp.
What can we learn about the way head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane have constructed each Bills roster in their four seasons together in Buffalo? And what hints will that give us about how they may approach the remaining open 20 spots?
Only once in their time together have the Bills actually brought the maximum allotment of players to training camp, using up all 90 spots in 2018.
For the last two seasons, running back in Christian Wade has had an exemption as part of the International Pathway Program. That’s allowed the Bills to carry an extra player, and will once again this year as that program has been extended for another year. So, they’ll be allowed to have a maximum of 91 players.
Last season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL reduced training camp roster sizes to 80 players per-team, but that was after most teams were already either at or near 90. The Bills had 88. So, for the purposes of this exercise, I’ve included all 88 players before they made cuts to reduce down to 80 once that announcement was made.
Here are the exact number of players the Bills had at each position heading into training camp that particular year, along with how many they currently have right now:
Conclusion:
While there are obviously fewer numbers at several positions, two of them stand out and look much lighter than others: Offensive line and defensive back, and especially safety in the secondary.
For the last three years, the Bills have brought at least seven safeties to camp, but only have four right now. They typically have 8-9 cornerbacks, but sit with only six. Adding cornerback and safety, there is probably room for, at least, five more players, and maybe more.
They’ve stocked themselves with 16 offensive linemen each of the last two seasons, but currently only have 12.
The wide receiver numbers also seem a bit light, especially considering how many three and four wideout sets the Bills ran in 2020. However, there’s also a lot more depth at the position now than in year’s past, and maybe less chances for someone to make the roster. So it’s possible Beane and McDermott would rather have more numbers at another position for better competition.
Core special teams players can always impact these numbers, as well. Often, it doesn’t matter if a player is a wide receiver, running back, or defensive back if he is on the roster simply for special teams purposes.
It’s also important to note that the Bills have always had a fullback on the training camp and regular season roster, but did not carry one last season after placing Patrick DiMarco on Injured Reserve then moving Reggie Gilliam to tight end. That fullback is part of the numbers reflected at the position, which means they most likely won’t bring as many overall backs to camp this year as they have in the past.
Other spots to keep an eye on are kicker and punter. Although Tyler Bass is firmly entrenched as the place kicker and the team signed punter Matt Haack to a three-year deal, they have always had multiple kickers to start camp, and have had multiple punters in each of the last three seasons.
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