It's not so long ago that we'd have a dozen players that were bubble guys, things have changed. It's down to just a few positions where we most likely will see any surprises. That said, injuries, rookies making noise, and some veterans on the bubble all make the decision for the Bills brass a bit challenging. Here’s my best guess at how the 53 shapes up right now — the locks, the big decisions, and the bubble guys who could make it.

Quarterbacks (2)

Locks: Josh Allen (League MVP), Mitch Trubisky

• Allen is QB1, QB2, QB3, and QB-everything. The season rests on him.

• Trubisky gives a stable veteran backup, not flashy but trustworthy.

Bubble: Mike White

• White has shown moments in camp but hasn’t separated himself. The only path to the roster is if the Bills want 3 QBs for insurance. Odds are he’s cut, then stashed on the practice squad.

Projected: Josh Allen, Mitch Trubisky

Running Backs (4)

Locks: James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (FB)

• James Cook - going nowhere... he's the guy. 

• Johnson adds reliability, while Davis brings rookie juice and a potential goal-line role.

• Gilliam is part FB, part TE, part special teams demon. He’s not going anywhere.

Bubble: Nobody... We'll end up with Gore on the practice squad hopefully, but our 3 headed monster at running back is solid.

Projected: James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, Reggie Gilliam (FB)

Wide Receivers (6)

Locks: Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman

Making a strong case: Curtis Samuel, Tyrell Shavers

• Shakir is awesome. Love everything about this guy. 

• Palmer is sneaky important — great route runner, reliable depth.

• Coleman could be the big-body weapon Allen has been missing. Hopefully Dion's words on Coleman are true. He seems primed to make a 2nd year leap. 

• Samuel’s versatility keeps defenses guessing, but his contract is heavy for his production. He needs to either be moved via trade or stay healthy and be a big value add on the field. If he can't be traded, he's a lock
  

Bubble: Laviska Shenault, Tyrell Shavers, Elijah Moore

• Shenault is fighting Shavers for WR5/6. His gadget role feels redundant with Samuel on board. A cut or trade wouldn’t shock me.

• Shavers has forced his way on with special teams + contested catches. He's had an excellent training camp and preseason
• Moore has been an asset for the Browns & Jets but always a bit of a disappointment in terms of production and flash. He hasn't flashed much in camp but hasn't done a ton to hurt his case. 

Projected: Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore, Tyrell Shavers

Tight Ends (3)

Locks: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox

Making a strong case: Jackson Hawes

• Kincaid looks poised for a breakout — the Allen-to-Kincaid chemistry is hopefully real this year.

• Knox provides blocking + red zone help when healthy.

• Hawes looks good so far in camp and has been quiet in preseason. He fills the Morris role with seemingly more upside.

Bubble: Zach Davidson

• Davidson has had a rough camp and preseason. He's most likely a practice squad guy 

Projected: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes

Offensive Line (9)

Locks: Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, David Edwards, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable

• The starting 5 + Alec Anderson are absolute locks, and Grable falls in the locks category as well. They had a stellar year and have a strong cohesive unit. 

Bubble: Ryan Van Demark, Chase Lundt, Van Pran Granger 

• Lundt having the ability to back up at Guard and Tackle is a distinct advantage
• Van Demark has missed valuable reps due to concussion. He seems safe, but his availability isn't helpful
• Van Pran Granger is currently on the PUP and if he's put on IR, he frees up a roster spot and allows Buffalo to get some other guys reps and get a longer look

The Bills seem pretty well settled in this position group. The starters are in stone, the 6th man in Anderson is as well. There has been some injury in Training Camp & Preseason which has prevented the Bills from getting a look at some of the reserves, allowing them to see who the best potential replacements are if we're unable to afford McGovern next season. 

Projected: Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, David Edwards, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt, Ryan Van Demark

Defensive Tackles (5)

Locks: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, Larry Ogunjobi

• Oliver + Jones remain the core — when healthy, they’re a solid rotational interior duo.

• Sanders & Walker both flashed in the offseason and should fit nicely in the rotation.

Bubble: DeWayne Carter

• Carter makes the team initially to start the season but is off the 53 once Ogunjobi is done serving his suspension time. Fortunately, Ogunjobi doesn't count against the 53-man roster to start the season. 

Projected: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, DeWayne Carter

Edge Rushers (5)

Locks: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Michael Hoecht

• Bosa + Rousseau could be one of the league’s best 1–2 punches.

• Epenesa still holds value as a rotational guy.

• Jackson and Solomon are raw but disruptive — Beane won’t risk losing them.

• Everybody that's watched anything from the preseason and read anything from Training Camp is pumped for Hoecht and the impact he'll make. He won't count against the 53-man roster for the first 6 games, due to suspension

Bubble: Nobody

Projected: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon

Linebackers (5)

Locks: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams

Making a Strong Case: Shaq Thompson, Joe Andreessen

• Milano (when healthy) is the defense’s heartbeat.

• Bernard will be a bigger impact this year if the d-line can step up and make an impact

• Dorian Williams brings athletic upside.

Bubble: Edefuan Ulofoshio and Keonta Jenkins have done nothing to really stand out and I don't see any upgrade from any of the players above. Only shot either have is if Thompson can't get healthy. 

Projected: Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Shaq Thompson, Joe Andreessen

Cornerbacks (7)

Locks: Max Hairston, Christian Benford, Taron Johnson, Tre White

• Benford is a top CB in the league.

• Johnson is elite as a slot defender.

• Hairston has been injured and missed valuable time but he'll be back and worked in

• Tre White adds stability and wisdom. He may have lost a step physically, but he should be a more than adequate reserve

Bubble: Cam Lewis, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Dorian Strong, Dane Jackson

• Lewis is the ultimate bubble guy — always fighting, always hanging on. He’s versatile enough to make it again. Ingram likely heads to the practice squad.

• Jackson hasn't looked good. He is a good stash on the practice squad and call up if we have a serious need to dig deeper into our depth

Projected: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Taron Johnson, Tre White, Cam Lewis, Dorian Strong, JaMarcus Ingram

Safeties (4)

Locks: Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin

• Rapp steps into a full-time role.

• Bishop is hopefully NFL-ready despite all of the time that he's missed.

• Hamlin isn't flashy, but he is a proven depth piece who can start in a pinch.

Bubble: Darrick Forrest, Jordan Hancock

• Hancock has looked better than Darrick Forrest, however, if Hancock can't return from his injury in time, he may be on the practice squad.

Projected: Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock

Specialists (3)

Locks: Tyler Bass (K), Brad Robbins (P), Reid Ferguson (LS)

• Bass is still the guy, despite recent inconsistencies.

• Brad Robbins is the guy this year. 

• Ferguson is automatic as a long snapper.

Bubble: Nobody

• No real competition here unless Bass’ injury concerns resurface.

Final Projection: 53-Man Roster

• QB (2): Allen, Trubisky

• RB (4): Cook, Johnson, Davis, Gilliam

• WR (6): Shakir, Palmer, Coleman, Moore, Samuel, Shavers

• TE (3): Kincaid, Knox, Hawes

• OL (9): Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, David Edwards, Alec Anderson, Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt, Ryan Van Demark

• DL (10): Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau, AJ Epenesa, Landon Jackson, Javon Solomon, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, DeWayne Carter

• LB (5): Milano, Bernard, D. Williams, Thompson, Andreessen

• CB (7): Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Taron Johnson, Tre White, Cam Lewis, Dorian Strong, JaMarcus Ingram

• S (4): Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock

• ST (3): Bass, Robbins, Ferguson

What's your thoughts? Who do you think stays that I didn't put on the roster? Who do you have getting cut that I'm missing?