Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott are going to face tough decisions as they trim the team’s current 90-man roster down to 53 over the next two months. It’s a process that may include some high-profile cuts.
The Bills are in Super Bowl-or-bust mode. Another deep playoff run that falls short of a championship won’t quench the title thirst of franchise’s rabid fanbase. In turn, the roster-building decisions will depend almost solely on expected 2025 production rather than future financial ramifications.
Although Buffalo’s salary-cap situation is tight, it’s not going to keep a markedly worse player to save a couple million in 2026 or beyond. That creates an avenue for some unexpected cuts before the Bills kick off the regular season Sept. 7 against the Baltimore Ravens.
Bills Roster: Stars Who Must Earn Place in Buffalo’s Final 53
WR Curtis Samuel
A lot of analysts, including many Bills beat reporters, view Samuel as a virtual roster lock because of his contract. That feels like an oversimplification of the situation.
Yes, cutting Samuel would only save Buffalo $430,000 this season, per Spotrac. While that’s minuscule—not even enough to a sign another player to an NFL-minimum contract—it would include a more favorable $6.3 million in savings for 2026.
The Bills also have a deep group of receivers battling for roster spots beyond the starting trio of Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer. It’s a competition that includes Samuel, Elijah Moore, Laviska Shenault Jr., Tyrell Shavers and rookie Kaden Prather.
Buffalo typically keeps just five wideouts. It may increase that number to six this season. Either way, at least two of the names listed above are going to get cut. Shenault is a candidate to return kicks and punts, while Shavers is the best blocker in the WR room. Those factors play a role in a tight roster battle.
Samuel struggled during his first season of a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bills. He recorded 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown in 14 appearances. His production was modestly better in three playoff games, tallying six receptions for 81 yards and two scores.
JOSH ALLEN TO CURTIS SAMUEL! 55-YARD TD!
📺: #DENvsBUF on CBS/Paramount+
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/iMGpzU9Qg3
— NFL (@NFL) January 12, 2025
All told, Buffalo would prefer to keep Samuel because of the financial considerations. He’s not a roster lock if he puts together a lackluster camp, though.
DT DaQuan Jones
DaQuan Jones
Oct 20, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (92) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph (11) during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Jones is an interesting case because he’s still penciled in to start next to Ed Oliver in the middle of the Bills’ defensive line. He could fall down the depth chart rapidly, though. That’s especially true if he shows no signs of bouncing back after a terrible 2024 campaign.
The 33-year-old Penn State product was a complete non-factor last year. He posted a measly 23 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in 16 games. He was particularly vulnerable against the run, as his poor 50.3 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus illustrated.
Buffalo responded by using two of its first four draft picks on defensive tackles. It added South Carolina’s T.J. Sanders in the second round and Kentucky’s Deone Walker in the fourth round. They’ll both join Oliver on the final roster barring something unforeseen.
So, that leaves Jones to battle 2024 third-round pick DeWayne Carter for a spot. Even if the Bills decide to keep both (and thus five defensive tackles), another tough decision will loom once free-agent signing Larry Ogunjobi returns from a six-game suspension.
CLIP: A continued Daquan Jones decline is something to worry about for the Bills defense. Matt Warren (SB Nation) and I discuss.
Full EP: https://t.co/4KcE5GmCNG pic.twitter.com/ubVfX70Yly
— Patrick Moran (Talking Buffalo) (@PatrickMoranTB) June 25, 2025
The Oliver-Jones tandem was one of the league’s best in 2022 and early in 2023. Jones hasn’t been the same since suffering a pectoral injury midway through the 2023 season, though. Getting him back to peak performance would eliminate the cut possibility and raise the defense’s upside considerably.
If the former Tennessee Titans standout gets off to a sluggish start in camp, however, his time in Buffalo may come to an end.
CB Tre’Davious White
White’s return to the Bills’ roster has been a great story. McDermott called him one of his all-time favorite players. The fans will surely show their love during camp after the cornerback enjoyed a highly successful seven-year run in Buffalo starting as a 2017 first-round pick.
Unfortunately, the situation may not receive a storybook ending.
White struggled mightily at times during offseason workouts. The 30-year-old Louisiana native continues to look a few steps slow after recovering from a 2021 torn ACL and a 2023 torn Achilles. Corner is a tough position to play if your first-step explosiveness is sapped.
The Bills have one of the NFL’s best boundary cornerbacks in Christian Benford. There will be a wide-open competition for the starting spot on the opposite side of the field. White will be joined by first-round pick Maxwell Hairston, fellow returnee Dane Jackson and Ja’Marcus Ingram, among others.
Tre White being back with the #Bills just feels… right
But his role is different than when he first arrived in Buffalo 8 years ago
“Each One. Teach One.”
The veteran now finds joy “pouring into” teammates so they can experience the success he’s had.#BillsMafia @BuffaloPlus pic.twitter.com/hLATpUGKaf
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) June 4, 2025
Buffalo will likely lean toward younger options, like Dorian Strong and Daequan Hardy, as depth options if the two-time Pro Bowler doesn’t win the starting role. It doesn’t make a ton of sense to keep White as a No. 4 or 5 corner.
He may still have a future with the organization in a coaching role given the strong relationship with McDermott, but it feels like his playing days may be nearing a conclusion. A resurgent camp could always change that outlook, though.
Main Image: Gregory Fisher – Imagn Images