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Bills Roster: Updated Buffalo Depth Chart After 2025 NFL Draft

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Buffalo Bills Draft Pick Maxwell Hairston, cornerback

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane entered the 2025 NFL draft with a clear roster objective: improve the defense. He used the team’s first five picks on that side of the ball, which has shaken up the depth chart as the offseason focus shifts to organized team activities (OTAs).

Beane also expressed his frustration about a media narrative that the Bills, who finished second in points per game (30.9) last season, should have spent an early-round selection on a wide receiver. It made for an entertaining exchange Monday with WGR Radio hosts Jeremy White and Joe DiBiase:

It’s rare to see an NFL general manager publicly speak out so forcefully. Although the basis for his argument is correct—the defense was a much bigger concern heading into the draft—the remarks do open him up for criticism if the offense underperforms next season.

Updated Bills Roster, Depth Chart After 2025 NFL Draft

Quarterback: Josh Allen

Top Reserves: Mitchell Trubisky, Mike White

Allen is coming off an MVP season where he continued to show improved decision-making, especially in terms of taking fewer unnecessary hits. The Bills need him to stay healthy. They transform from a Super Bowl contender to a non-playoff team without him.

Don’t be surprised if White beats out Trubisky for the backup role in training camp.

Running Back: James Cook

Top Reserves: Ray Davis, Ty Johnson

Cook’s contract situation remains unsettled, but an in-season holdout appears unlikely. The Bills will likely let him hit free agency next offseason rather than come anywhere close to his $15 million asking price, so it’ll be an important walk year for the running back.

Davis would enter the starting lineup if Cook does decide to hold out. Johnson was re-signed to handle third-down duties for the second straight season.

Wide Receivers: Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer

Top Reserves: Curtis Samuel, Laviska Shenault Jr., Tyrell Shavers

Here’s the reality: any wide receiver the Bills would’ve selected in the early rounds of the 2025 NFL draft would have been only ticketed for about a 15-20 percent snap share because of the crowded depth chart. That simply doesn’t create much bang for the buck. Taking Maryland’s Kaden Prather in the seventh round was a worthwhile flier. A wideout in the first or second round just didn’t make much sense, though.

Buffalo may still add another veteran to compete for the No. 4 or 5 wide receiver role. Otherwise, this position is mostly set heading toward camp.

Tight End: Dalton Kincaid

Top Reserves: Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes

Kincaid is coming off a disappointing second NFL season. His development, or lack thereof, this year will go a long way in determining the Bills’ offensive upside. He must find a way to get open more consistently, particularly on third down. Buffalo became too reliant on Shakir in those situations last year.

Knox will likely be a cap casualty next year, so Beane acted early to find his future replacement in Hawes.

Offensive Tackles: Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown

Top Reserves: Tylan Grable, Chase Lundt

Dawkins and Brown have emerged as one of the NFL’s best tackle duos. Lundt has an opportunity to quickly emerge as the team’s top reserve option despite being a sixth-round pick. This is another position where there could be a late free-agent addition.

Offensive Guards: David Edwards, O’Cyrus Torrence

Top Reserves: Alec Anderson, Kendrick Green

Buffalo didn’t spend any draft picks on interior offensive linemen, which represented a vote of confidence for Edwards and Torrence. They both endured up-and-down campaigns in 2024, but have no real competition for their starting roles on the current Bills roster.

Center: Connor McGovern

Top Reserve: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

Van Pran-Granger was impressive in a Week 18 spot start while the Bills rested starters last year. He could eventually take over at center, with McGovern then shifting to guard to replace Edwards or Torrence, but for now, Buffalo seems content sticking with the same offensive line.

Defensive Ends: Joey Bosa, Greg Rousseau

Top Reserves: A.J. Epenesa, Javon Solomon, Landon Jackson

The Bills are hopeful Bosa will be a sizable upgrade over Von Miller, who was never the same player after suffering a torn ACL in 2022. A healthy, effective Bosa would generate a lot more one-on-one opportunities for Rousseau, who cooled off after a three-sack opener last year.

Jackson is probably headed for a rotational, early-down role as a rookie. He’ll eventually take over for Epenesa as the team’s main run-stopping edge in the coming years.

Michael Hoecht will join the end group after returning from a six-game suspension.

Defensive Tackles: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones

Top Reserves: DeWayne Carter, Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders

Jones’ roster spot may be in peril despite currently being penciled in as a starter on the depth chart. The Bills have a lot of youth on the interior between Carter, Walker, and Sanders. Buffalo will surely prefer to keep them over Jones once Larry Ogunjobi returns from his own six-game suspension.

Walker is the most intriguing tackle in the group because his size (6’7”, 331 pounds) makes him an ideal pairing for the smaller Ed Oliver.

Linebackers: Terrel Bernard, Matt Milano

Top Reserves: Dorian Williams, Joe Andreessen

Milano’s health may be the biggest question facing the Bills roster. He’s been limited to nine games over the past two seasons. He also didn’t look nearly as dynamic following his return last year. It’s possible the consistent injuries have taken an irreversible toll.

While Beane didn’t use any picks on linebackers during the 2025 NFL draft, it could be one of Buffalo’s biggest areas of need next year.

Cornerbacks: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston, Taron Johnson

Top Reserves: Tre’Davious White, Dane Jackson, Dorian Strong

Hairston, the Bills’ first-round selection, will be given every opportunity to win the starting job. White and Jackson, who both returned this offseason after prior stints in Buffalo, are safe, low-upside alternatives if the coaching staff decides the rookie needs some development time.

Although Strong may not figure into the main depth-chart equation this year, it wouldn’t be a shock if he ultimately becomes a sixth-round steal just like Benford was in 2022.

Safeties: Cole Bishop, Taylor Rapp

Top Reserves: Damar Hamlin, Jordan Hancock, Darrick Forrest

Prevailing wisdom suggests the Bills are planning to run back to Rapp-Hamlin tandem, but it’s time for Bishop to join the starting lineup. The remaining safety options, including versatile rookie Hancock, can compete for the spot alongside the 2024 second-rounder.

Kicker: Tyler Bass

Bass put together a much-needed bounce-back campaign last season. The Bills haven’t brought in any competition for his spot, and he’ll be the heavy favorite even if they bring in another camp body.

Punter: Jake Camarda

Camarda has the inside track on replacing Sam Martin, who signed with the Carolina Panthers, though he’ll be contested by Brad Robbins. Buffalo was tied for the seventh-fewest punts in 2024 (54), so it’s not a position of major concern.

Long Snapper: Reid Ferguson

Ferguson is one of the niche position’s top performers. He’ll have a spot on the Bills roster for pretty much as long as he wants it.

Main Photo: [Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel] – USA Today Sports

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