Joe Marino · May 1, 2026
Marino gives his first 2026 Buffalo Bills 53-man roster projection, naming which players make the roster at each position, who gets cut, and who wins the starting jobs along the offensive line and at punter.
“So there you have it, a 53 man roster projection where 17 of 50 non specialists are new.”
said on air, transcribed by us · Locked On Bills (podcast) · read the original →
78 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
Ar'maj Reed-Adams to make the roster
“And so that will be your first draft pick to this point in our Maj Reed Adams that I don't have making the 53.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsGeno StoneBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Geno Stone to make the roster
“So that does mean that Geno Stone doesn't make it, DeMar Hamlin doesn't make it, and Wanda Owens doesn't make it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsReid FergusonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Reid Ferguson to make the roster
“Reed Ferguson's gonna be your long snapper.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTyler BassBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tyler Bass to make the roster
“Of course, I will go Tyler Bass, and I'll say Tommy Doman, wins your punter job.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTommy DomanBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tommy Doman to make the roster
“I'll say Tommy Doman, wins your punter job”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsTommy DomanBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tommy Doman to be 1st on the depth chart
“and I'll say Tommy Doman, wins your punter job”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsTyler BassBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tyler Bass to be 1st on the depth chart
“Of course, I will go Tyler Bass”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJalon KilgoreBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jalon Kilgore to make the roster
“Jalen Kilgore, the draft pick, and then Sam Franklin, who they signed to a three year extension”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsRay DavisBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Ray Davis to make the roster
“The three running backs cut and dry. James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsToriano PrideBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Toriano Pride to make the roster
“So I do think there's a spot for Toriano pride to make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsCole BishopBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Cole Bishop to make the roster
“I have the Bills keeping five safeties, Cole Bishop, CJ Gardner Johnson, Jordan Hancock, Jalen Kilgore, the draft pick, and then Sam Franklin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDee AlfordBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Dee Alford to make the roster
“So Christian Benford, Maxwell Harrison, D Alford, Davison, Igbunosin, and then Toriano Pride.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Davison Igbinosun to make the roster
“Benford, Harrison, Alford, Igbunosin, easy, gonna make it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsWande OwensBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Wande Owens to make the roster
“So that does mean that Geno Stone doesn't make it, DeMar Hamlin doesn't make it, and Wanda Owens doesn't make it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJude BowryBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jude Bowry to make the roster
“So Jude Bowery, I think, is comfortably making this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Lloyd Cushenberry III to make the roster
“I'm going with Lloyd Cushionbury predictably.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Sedrick Van Pran-Granger to make the roster
“That means Cedric Van Paren, Granger, Chase Lunt, Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsChase LundtBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Chase Lundt to make the roster
“That means Cedric Van Paren, Granger, Chase Lunt, Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsJosh AllenBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Josh Allen to be 1st on the depth chart
“Josh Allen, obviously, your starting quarterback, and Kyle Allen, the backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsKyle AllenBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Kyle Allen to be 2nd on the depth chart
“Josh Allen, obviously, your starting quarterback, and Kyle Allen, the backup.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsKyle AllenBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Kyle Allen to make the roster
“But Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, that's gonna be your rostered quarterbacks for this Bills team.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsShane BuecheleBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Shane Buechele to make the roster
“Shane Bushell, who I think is destined for that practice squad QB three spot once again”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJames CookBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
James Cook to make the roster
“The three running backs cut and dry. James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTylan GrableBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tylan Grable to make the roster
“Then I have Tylen Grable making it as a guy that's been the Bills' preferred swing tackle in the past”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTravis ClaytonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Travis Clayton to make the roster
“Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsBruno FinaBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Bruno Fina to make the roster
“Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsNick BroekerBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Nick Broeker to make the roster
“Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Da'Metrius Weatherspoon to make the roster
“Nick Broker, Travis Clayton, Bruno Fina, Demetrius Weatherspoon, and our Majer Reed Adams don't make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTy JohnsonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Ty Johnson to make the roster
“The three running backs cut and dry. James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Sam Franklin Jr. to make the roster
“and then Sam Franklin, who they signed to a three year extension as a special teams ace”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsFrank Gore Jr.Buffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Frank Gore Jr. to make the roster
“that means Frank Gore junior and Desmond Reed would be the players that are released”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDesmond ReidBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Desmond Reid to make the roster
“that means Frank Gore junior and Desmond Reed would be the players that are released”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJackson AckerBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jackson Acker to make the roster
“And so I have him making this roster. So there's your second new addition, Jackson Acker at the fullback position”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDalton KincaidBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Dalton Kincaid to make the roster
“So Kinkade, Knox, Hawes, your three projected roster tight ends.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDawson KnoxBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Dawson Knox to make the roster
“So Kinkade, Knox, Hawes, your three projected roster tight ends.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJackson HawesBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jackson Hawes to make the roster
“So Kinkade, Knox, Hawes, your three projected roster tight ends.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDJ MooreBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
DJ Moore to make the roster
“So DJ Moore, obvious. Khalil Shakir, obvious. Then Joshua Palmer back”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsKhalil ShakirBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Khalil Shakir to make the roster
“So DJ Moore, obvious. Khalil Shakir, obvious.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJosh PalmerBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Josh Palmer to make the roster
“Then Joshua Palmer back, of course, for this year.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsKeon ColemanBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Keon Coleman to make the roster
“Keon Coleman, I'm inclined to believe that he's going to stick around.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsSkyler BellBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Skyler Bell to make the roster
“Skyler Bell, the Bills' fourth round pick out of Yukon. I think he makes this roster pretty comfortably.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Trent Sherfield to make the roster
“And and for now, I'm gonna pick Trent Sherfield.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTyrell ShaversBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Tyrell Shavers to make the roster
“Now Tyrell Shavers, I think it's pretty clear he'll start the season on the physically unable to perform list.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsDion DawkinsBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Dion Dawkins to be 1st on the depth chart
“very obvious to me, your starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, they're good to go”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Depth Chart CallsSpencer BrownBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Spencer Brown to be 1st on the depth chart
“your starting tackles, Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown, they're good to go”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Connor McGovern to be 1st on the depth chart
“Your newly extended center, Connor McGovern, he's good to go.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsAlec AndersonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Alec Anderson to make the roster
“There's a good competition at left guard between Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett. I think they both make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsAustin CorbettBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Austin Corbett to make the roster
“There's a good competition at left guard between Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett. I think they both make this roster.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
O'Cyrus Torrence to be 1st on the depth chart
“Your starting right guard, Osiris Torrance, he's in.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsEd OliverBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Ed Oliver to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsT.J. SandersBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
T.J. Sanders to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsLandon JacksonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Landon Jackson to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsZane DurantBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Zane Durant to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsBradley ChubbBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Bradley Chubb to make the roster
“So five on the ball outside linebackers, Brad Chubb, Greg Russo, Michael Hoyt, TJ Parker, and Jevon Solomon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsGreg RousseauBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Greg Rousseau to make the roster
“So five on the ball outside linebackers, Brad Chubb, Greg Russo, Michael Hoyt, TJ Parker, and Jevon Solomon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsT.J. ParkerBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
T.J. Parker to make the roster
“So five on the ball outside linebackers, Brad Chubb, Greg Russo, Michael Hoyt, TJ Parker, and Jevon Solomon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsMichael HoechtBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Michael Hoecht to make the roster
“I'm projecting that he makes the, like, the initial 53, and there's no pup list.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJavon SolomonBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Javon Solomon to make the roster
“So five on the ball outside linebackers, Brad Chubb, Greg Russo, Michael Hoyt, TJ Parker, and Jevon Solomon.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Andre Jones Jr. to make the roster
“And then your players that don't make it Andre Jones and Kaye Denhoff.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsCade DenhoffBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Cade Denhoff to make the roster
“And then your players that don't make it Andre Jones and Kaye Denhoff.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTerrel BernardBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Terrel Bernard to make the roster
“Terrell Bernard, Doreen Williams, Joe Andreessen, Caleb Elarms, or the fourth round pick out of TCU. I think that's your four.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Dorian Williams to make the roster
“Terrell Bernard, Doreen Williams, Joe Andreessen, Caleb Elarms ... I think that's your four.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJoe AndreessenBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Joe Andreessen to make the roster
“Terrell Bernard, Doreen Williams, Joe Andreessen, Caleb Elarms ... I think that's your four.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDeone WalkerBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Deone Walker to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDeWayne CarterBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
DeWayne Carter to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Phidarian Mathis to make the roster
“And Oliver, Deon Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Dwayne Carter, Zane Durant, and Fy Mathis. I think those are your seven.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsZion LogueBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Zion Logue to make the roster
“And that means only two guys are released in Zion Logan, Tommy, King Basote.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Tommy Akingbesote to make the roster
“And that means only two guys are released in Zion Logan, Tommy, King Basote.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr to make the roster
“Caleb Elarms, or the fourth round pick out of TCU. I think that's your four.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJimmy CiarloBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jimmy Ciarlo to make the roster
“Then guys that don't make it, Jimmy Charlo, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, and Jaden Flaker”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsKeonta JenkinsBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Keonta Jenkins to make the roster
“Then guys that don't make it, Jimmy Charlo, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, and Jaden Flaker”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsTheron GainesBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Theron Gaines to make the roster
“Then guys that don't make it, Jimmy Charlo, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, and Jaden Flaker, those last two UDFAs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Christian Benford to make the roster
“So Christian Benford, Maxwell Harrison, D Alford, Davison, Igbunosin, and then Toriano Pride.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
Maxwell Hairston to make the roster
“So Christian Benford, Maxwell Harrison, D Alford, Davison, Igbunosin, and then Toriano Pride.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson to make the roster
“I have the Bills keeping five safeties, Cole Bishop, CJ Gardner Johnson, Jordan Hancock, Jalen Kilgore, the draft pick, and then Sam Franklin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsJordan HancockBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jordan Hancock to make the roster
“I have the Bills keeping five safeties, Cole Bishop, CJ Gardner Johnson, Jordan Hancock, Jalen Kilgore, the draft pick, and then Sam Franklin”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsDamar HamlinBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Damar Hamlin to make the roster
“So that does mean that Geno Stone doesn't make it, DeMar Hamlin doesn't make it, and Wanda Owens doesn't make it.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Roster Spot CallsBuffalo BillsMay 1, 2026
Jaden Flaker to make the roster
“Then guys that don't make it, Jimmy Charlo, Keonta Jenkins, Theron Gaines, and Jaden Flaker, those last two UDFAs.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.