Kate: Wait, hold on. Did you see the depth chart for center? Austin Corbett is there, but Lloyd Cushenberry III is listed right next to him, and Connor McGovern is hovering in the wings. If Buffalo loses their starting pivot against Baltimore, that entire offensive line structure collapses. We are diving into the trenches today.
Mike: It’s a legitimate crisis waiting to happen if they don’t manage their personnel correctly. You’ve got five guys who can play center or guard, and only one starter. Against the Ravens’ front seven, that margin for error is non-existent. Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, I’m Mike.
Kate: And I’m Kate! We’re your daily source for everything Buffalo Bills. Today we’re breaking down the critical roster battles heading into this Week 7 bye week. We’ll look at the center controversy, the receiver rotation after Keon Coleman’s big game, and who is actually safe from the final cut list.
Mike: We also need to talk about the secondary. With C.J. Gardner-Johnson suspended and Sam Franklin Jr. suspended for spitting, the safety group is thinned out. And let’s not forget Ed Oliver was questionable last Sunday. The defensive depth chart is more fragile than it looks on paper.
Kate: Exactly. So here is our roadmap: First, we tackle the biggest positional battle on the team right now—the center spot and the interior line stability. Then, we move to the skill positions, specifically the wide receiver competition and whether Dalton Kincaid is locking in his role. Finally, we’ll predict the roster cuts and who is trending up or down as we head into November.
Mike: And remember, we predicted a 24-20 defensive struggle against Baltimore last time. Josh Allen throwing for over 250 yards is still the benchmark. But today, we’re focusing on who is wearing the jersey when that ball is snapped. Let’s get into it.
Kate: Okay, Segment One. The most important position battle in Buffalo right now isn’t quarterback—it’s center. Austin Corbett has been the rock, but looking at the roster, you have Lloyd Cushenberry III and Connor McGovern both capable of playing that spot. Why is this suddenly a hot topic?
Mike: Because of how the NFL works. Injuries happen. Last week against Las Vegas, Ed Oliver was questionable, which means the defensive line depth was tested. If the offensive line takes a hit, you need someone who can step in and communicate the protections. Corbett is an All-Pro level guy, but he’s aging slightly, and the workload is heavy. Cushenberry has the experience, but McGovern is versatile. He can play guard and center.
Kate: Right, and McGovern was acquired for that exact versatility. But here’s the thing—when you have three guys who can play center, the competition isn’t just about ability, it’s about chemistry with Josh Allen. Allen needs to know exactly where the holes are going to be in the run game.
Mike: That’s the key. James Cook III had 95 rushing yards last week on 22 carries. That’s efficient, but it required precise blocking. If the center isn’t aligned, the inside run game suffers. And if the inside run game suffers, Josh Allen starts having to extend plays more. We saw glimpses of that against the Raiders—he had to scramble a bit because the pocket broke down.
Kate: So, who do you think wins the backup spot behind Corbett? Is it Cushenberry, who knows the system better, or McGovern, who offers more schematic flexibility?
Mike: I’m leaning toward McGovern. Why? Because of O’Cyrus Torrence at guard. Torrence is a massive physical presence. If McGovern can slide over to guard when needed, it keeps the continuity of the interior line intact. Cushenberry is great, but he’s primarily a center. In the modern NFL, versatility wins games. If Corbett goes down, McGovern slides to center, and someone else shifts to guard. It’s cleaner.
Kate: That makes sense from a tactical standpoint. But does the coaching staff trust McGovern’s calling of protections yet? He’s newer to the scheme compared to Cushenberry.
Mike: He’s been in the league long enough. He’s played for multiple teams. The mental processing shouldn’t be the issue; it’s just the reps. But here’s the kicker—if they go with McGovern at center, it might mean Ar’maj Reed-Adams, the rookie guard, gets more snaps at guard. That’s a huge jump for a rookie. I like the move, but it’s risky.
Kate: Risky, yes. But necessary if they want to maintain that 5-1 record. We talked about this yesterday—Josh Allen tying Jim Kelly’s touchdown record is amazing, but it doesn’t matter if the offensive line can’t keep him upright. The center position is the anchor. If that anchor slips, the whole ship lists.
Mike: Precisely. And against Baltimore, where they’re going to try to pressure Allen heavily, you need that communication. I think McGovern wins the backup job, but it’ll be close. It’ll come down to who handles the blitz packages better in practice this week.
Kate: Before we move to Segment Two, I want to take a quick breath. If this episode helped you understand the Bills' roster dynamics a little better, especially with those tricky injury situations, consider supporting the show. Your contributions keep us free and daily. Just check the link in the episode description.
Kate: Alright, back to the gridiron. Segment Two. Two more battles we need to dissect. First up: the wide receiver room. Keon Coleman had four catches for 59 yards and a touchdown against Las Vegas. But look at the roster—you have DJ Moore, Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Greg Dortch, and Skyler Bell. Where does everyone fit?
Mike: This is where the depth is actually strongest, but also where the usage will be most interesting. DJ Moore is the veteran presence, but he was listed as questionable last week. If he’s healthy, he’s the clear WR2 behind Shakir. But Josh Allen loves targeting Shakir on crossers and slants. Shakir had that nine-yard touchdown catch against the Raiders.
Kate: Right, and Keon Coleman is still developing. Fifty-nine yards is good for a rookie, but it’s not dominant. How does he compete with Joshua Palmer? Palmer brings size and experience.
Mike: Palmer is a possession receiver. He’s reliable. Coleman is the deep threat. Allen has shown he trusts Coleman downfield. Look at the scoring drives—they went to Coleman for the second touchdown. That’s a statement. I think Coleman solidifies the WR3 spot, pushing Palmer to a rotational role. But don’t count out Greg Dortch. His special teams value keeps him on the field, and he’s a weapon in the slot.
Kate: So, the hierarchy is Shakir, then Moore (if healthy), then Coleman, then Dortch/Palmer battling it out? What about the tight end room? Dalton Kincaid has been inconsistent, and Dawson Knox is the traditional tight end. Jackson Hawes and Keleki Latu are also there.
Mike: The tight end battle is real. Kincaid has the athletic upside, but Knox has the hands in traffic. Against Baltimore, you need a blocker to help the run game. Knox is the better blocker. Kincaid needs to prove he can stay on the field for three-down downs. If Kincaid can’t block, he’s a sub-package player. That hurts his snap count. I think Knox starts, but Kincaid plays more if the offense goes pass-heavy.
Kate: That’s a tough pill for Kincaid fans to swallow. But football is about what works. If Knox gives them a first down on third and long, he stays. If Kincaid drops a pass, he’s sitting. It’s brutal, but that’s the NFL. And what about the running back committee? James Cook is the workhorse, but Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are there.
Mike: Cook is the guy. Twenty-two carries for 95 yards shows they trust him in volume. Davis is the change-of-pace runner, explosive but less durable. Johnson is the veteran specialist. I don’t see anyone challenging Cook for the lead role unless he gets injured. The competition is really between Davis and Johnson for the backup spot, and Davis has the edge based on explosiveness.
Kate: So, to recap Segment Two: McGovern likely edges Cushenberry for center backup, Coleman secures WR3, and Knox holds off Kincaid for early-down tight end snaps. It’s all about roles and matchups. Now, let’s talk about the guys who might not make the final roster. Who is trending down?
Mike: I’m looking at the secondary. With Gardner-Johnson and Franklin suspended, the safeties are stretched thin. Cole Bishop and Damar Hamlin are starters, but who is the third safety? Te'Cory Couch was questionable last week. If he’s not healthy, they might be forced to keep a fourth safety instead of a receiver. That puts receivers like Skyler Bell or even Greg Dortch in danger if they need that extra defensive body.
Kate: Oh, that’s a fascinating point. Usually, teams carry six or seven receivers. But if the defense is hurting, they might carry five receivers and four safeties. That means the sixth receiver is on the bubble. Who do you think gets cut?
Mike: Skyler Bell. He’s a developmental player. If they need immediate help in the secondary, they’ll keep a safe pair of hands like Max Hairston or even promote someone from practice squad. Bell hasn’t shown enough in games to justify a roster spot over a defensive specialist. It’s a harsh reality, but that’s where the numbers point.
Kate: Ouch. Skyler Bell on the chopping block. Okay, so who is trending UP? Who has earned their keep?
Mike: Khalil Shakir. Every week, he finds ways to be productive. He’s become the security blanket for Josh Allen. Against a team like Baltimore, who will be trying to shut down the deep threats, Shakir’s intermediate routes are crucial. He’s not just a returner anymore; he’s a primary receiving option. Also, Terrel Bernard. Nine tackles against the Raiders. He’s been a beast in coverage. If the linebackers need to step up, Bernard is the guy leading the charge.
Kate: Shakir and Bernard. Both players who consistently deliver when it matters. It’s refreshing to see young talent stepping up in a high-pressure environment. Alright, Segment Three. The big predictions. Who is making the final 53-man roster, and who is going to IR or being released?
Mike: I’m predicting that the Bills will keep Connor McGovern at center/guard, Kyle Allen as the backup QB, and they will release Skyler Bell. They’ll add a defensive lineman from the practice squad to bolster the front seven, especially with Ed Oliver’s status uncertain. And they’ll keep Ray Davis over Ty Johnson because of Davis’s speed.
Kate: I agree with releasing Skyler Bell. I think they’ll keep both Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, plus Jackson Hawes for special teams. Keleki Latu might be the odd man out at TE if they need space elsewhere. And I’m sticking with my prediction: the Bills beat Baltimore 24-20. Josh Allen throws for over 250 yards, and the defense forces a turnover or two thanks to Bernard and the secondary adjusting to the suspensions.
Mike: 24-20 feels right. The Ravens are tough, but Buffalo’s home-field advantage and Allen’s clutch gene should prevail. It’ll be a grind, but they’ll find a way. We’ll see if Ed Oliver is ready to go. If he’s not, DeWayne Carter and Greg Gaines have to step up significantly.
Kate: There you have it. The center battle, the receiver rotation, and the roster cuts. We’ve got a bye week coming up, which is perfect for these guys to heal and prepare for the Ravens. Make sure you subscribe, rate, and review the Beatline Podcast Network wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Bills fan!
Mike: Go Bills. See you next time.