Kate: Skyler Bell has one carry for twenty-eight yards and seven catches for forty-nine, but the real story is who is left on the bench. We are three and zero, but the roster battles are just heating up.
Mike: It is a strange spot to be in, Kate. You have a perfect record, but you are looking at a quarterback room that looks very different from what we expected this time last year.
Kate: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, where we break down the NFL one team at a time. I am Kate, and I am joined by Mike. Today we are tackling the Buffalo Bills' most critical roster battles heading into Week One of the regular season.
Mike: That is right. After a 3-0 preseason that saw the Bills edge the Steelers 28 to 27 in a thriller, we have some answers, but plenty of new questions about depth and competition.
Kate: Here is what we are covering today. First, we will look at the tight end room and whether Dalton Kincaid or Dawson Knox is the clear number one. Second, we will dive into the offensive line depth chart with all the injuries piling up. And third, we will predict which players are trending up and who might be cut before Sunday.
Mike: We also need to talk about the elephant in the room. Josh Allen is the starter, but Kyle Allen is backing him up, and the way the offense operated against Pittsburgh tells us something about the scheme without our franchise quarterback.
Kate: Let’s start with the position group that felt the most crowded this training camp: tight ends. We have Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes, and Keleki Latu. Who wins the primary target role?
Mike: I think you have to give the nod to Dalton Kincaid, but not because he was the most dominant player in the preseason. It is about the scheme fit. With Shane Buechele throwing 196 yards in the last game, the intermediate middle of the field needs a reliable outlet.
Kate: Right. Kincaid has always been the move tight end, but Knox is the one who knows how to find soft spots in zone coverage. Did you see how effective Knox looked in those short-yardage situations?
Mike: Knox is a blocker first, receiver second. In the red zone, he is invaluable. But Kincaid offers that vertical threat that defenses have to respect. If you double the wide receivers, Kincaid is your check-down option when the protection breaks down.
Kate: So you are saying Kincaid is the safer bet for consistent production, while Knox is more situational?
Mike: Exactly. Look at the receiving stats from the Steelers game. Skyler Bell had seven receptions. That volume often comes from the tight end slot when the play action holds the linebackers. Kincaid is better suited for that motion-based role.
Kate: What about Jackson Hawes? He seems like the dark horse here. Does he have a chance to crack the active roster over Keleki Latu?
Mike: Hawes is a special teams ace. If the Bills want five tight ends, Hawes is the guy. But for offensive snaps, Kincaid and Knox are the top two. Latu provides size, but Hawe’s route running is sharper. I suspect Hawes stays, but Latu might be on the bubble if they need another defensive back.
Kate: Interesting take. So Kincaid is the starter, Knox is the inline specialist, and Hawes earns his spot through special teams value. I can buy that.
Mike: And let’s not forget, if Josh Allen gets hurt, the entire tight end usage changes drastically. They will go heavier with Knox to protect the lead.
Kate: Fair point. The versatility of the group is their biggest asset. Let’s move to the trenches. The offensive line has been a concern all offseason, especially with Zane Durant and Jack Driscoll already on injured reserve.
Kate: We have Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins, O'Cyrus Torrence, Austin Corbett, and Connor McGovern. But then there are backups like Alec Anderson, Jude Bowry, and Tylan Grable. Who steps up if someone goes down?
Mike: This is the scary part. When you lose Driscoll and Durant, you are stripping away your interior depth. Corbett and McGovern are solid centers, but can they slide to guard? That is the question.
Kate: I remember discussing this yesterday. The pass protection against Pittsburgh was shaky at times. Drew Allar only threw for 88 yards, but that was partly because the rush was so consistent.
Mike: Julius Welschof got a sack for Pittsburgh, but it was Phidarian Mathis who disrupted the timing for the Bills. Mathis had one sack, but his presence forced quick throws. Without Allen, the pocket collapses faster.
Kate: So who is the swing tackle? If Spencer Brown struggles, do you bring in Alec Anderson or Jude Bowry?
Mike: Alec Anderson has more experience. He started games last year. Bowry is rawer. If the Bills need to stabilize the edge, Anderson is the call. But I worry about the center-guard combo if Corbett has to slide over.
Kate: And what about the defensive line? DeWayne Carter and Greg Gaines are holding the line, but they need help against the run. Terrel Bernard had six tackles in the last game, which means the front seven was getting gashed.
Mike: Six tackles for Bernard is good, but Frank Gore Jr. rushed for a touchdown. That indicates a gap integrity issue. The defensive line isn't generating enough push to stop the run before it hits the second level.
Kate: Do you think Mike Danna and Bradley Chubb provide enough pressure to compensate for the run defense issues?
Mike: They provide chaos, but not consistency. Chubb is coming off an injury, and Danna is a finesse rusher. Against a physical team like Pittsburgh, you need more than finesse. You need bodies in the backfield.
Kate: So the battle isn't just about who starts, but who can fill in effectively when the inevitable injury happens. The depth chart is thinner than we thought.
Mike: Thinner is putting it mildly. This is why health is going to be the defining metric for this season's playoff chances.
Kate: Stick with us after this break. We are going to tell you who is trending up, who is trending down, and who might not make the final roster.
Kate: Welcome back. Let’s talk about the players who are making noise. Skyler Bell is clearly trending up. He had a 28-yard touchdown run and four receptions. Is he the new feature back?
Mike: He is definitely a weapon. But James Cook III is still the bell cow. Bell is the change-of-pace threat who keeps defenses guessing. You don't replace Cook; you complement him.
Kate: But Bell’s dual-threat ability is unique. He caught seven passes. That is elite volume for a rookie. Do you think he exceeds his receiving yards projection early on, like we predicted?
Mike: I do. And I think he adds rushing yards too. The Steelers couldn't contain him in space. If the Bills keep using him in the slot and as a runner, he will put up big numbers.
Kate: On the flip side, who is trending down? Ty Johnson was listed as questionable, and he hasn't shown the same explosiveness. Does he risk losing his spot to Ray Davis?
Mike: Ty Johnson is a veteran presence, but Ray Davis brings the speed. If Johnson can't stay healthy, Davis is the next man up. Johnson's value is mostly in the passing game, and Bell has taken that role.
Kate: What about the wide receiver room? We have Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, DJ Moore, Joshua Palmer, and Ben Skowronek. All were questionable or dealing with minor ailments.
Mike: DJ Moore is the clear number one receiver now. He commands double teams. Shakir is the security blanket. Coleman is the deep threat. Palmer is the slot expert. It is a very talented group, but the depth behind them is thin.
Kate: So if Ben Skowronek doesn't make the cut, who fills the fourth receiver spot? Is it Kaden Wetjen, who had that punt return touchdown?
Mike: Wetjen is a special teams star. If they keep five receivers, it could be him. But usually, teams keep four receivers and a fullback or a third tight end. I think Skowronek makes the team because of his blocking.
Kate: That makes sense. Blocking is underrated in the wide receiver room. What about the secondary? C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Damar Hamlin are anchors, but Dee Alford and Maxwell Hairston are fighting for playing time.
Mike: Gardner-Johnson is the free safety who plays everywhere. Hamlin is the strong safety. Alford and Hairston are cornerbacks. Christian Benford is the shutdown corner, so Alford and Hairston are battling for the other outside spot and nickel duties.
Kate: Who wins that battle? Alford has more experience, but Hairston has the size.
Mike: Alford wins it based on coverage skills. Hairston might be a special teams contributor. But if Alford gets injured, Hairston is ready to step in.
Kate: Final prediction time. Who do you think gets cut to make room for the active roster?
Mike: I think Ar'maj Reed-Adams might be the odd man out on the offensive line. With Corbett, McGovern, Torrence, Dawkins, and Brown locked in, there isn't much room for a backup guard who can't play tackle.
Kate: I agree. Reed-Adams is versatile, but versatility doesn't win games if you aren't the best option at your primary position. I think he goes to practice squad.
Mike: And I think Keleki Latu is the other one. If they keep three tight ends, it’s Kincaid, Knox, and Hawes. Latu is the expendable asset.
Kate: So Reed-Adams and Latu are likely headed to the practice squad. Interesting choices. It shows how deep the Bills are at skill positions but thin on the interior line.
Kate: That wraps up our deep dive into the Buffalo Bills roster battles. From Skyler Bell’s breakout to the offensive line concerns, we have covered it all. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review us on your favorite podcast platform. It helps more fans find the show.
Mike: And a huge thank you to our supporters. Putting out a fresh, detailed show every single day takes a lot of work, and your contributions keep us going. Please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description to help us keep this content free for everyone.
Kate: Go Bills! We will see you next time.