The Buffalo Bills depth chart is (unofficially) set heading into game 1 of the preseason.
The Buffalo Bills are set to take the field Saturday as they host the Chicago Bears in the first preseaon game of 2024 for the Western New York team, and, before they do, ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg has provided us with an unofficial depth chart.
Bills unofficial depth chart for preseason game No. 1. K.J. Hamler first at the returner spot.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) August 7, 2024
*reminder to not take it too seriously* pic.twitter.com/riu2XkvlwZ
It would appear that the Bills are putting rookie Keon Coleman on the bench to start the game. Not that we don’t expect to see plenty of the 6’4”, 215-pound wide receiver. However, it will be Mack Hollins who will line up in the X spot. Joining him on the field will be Khalil Shakir, the only receiver who has caught a pass from quarterback Josh Allen in a game, and Curtis Samuel. Marquz Valdes-Scantling, who is fighting for a roster spot, is also listed as second string.
There aren’t any surprises on the offensive line where Connor McGovern is trying to take the place of the veteran center Mitch Morse, who the team released this past spring. And, unsurprisingly, Dalton Kincaid gets the nod over Dawson Knox at tight end. Kincaid had 73 receptions and 2 touchdowns as a rookie last season.
On the defensive side, the surprise could be that Matt Milano is back. After missing all but the first 4.5 games last season, and with the team keeping his actual injury (a fractured leg) and rehab process fairly quiet last year, it looks as though the All-Pro linebacker is going to be a go (whether he plays this weekend or not).
Probably not a surprise after the 2023 season, but at defensive end you see A.J. Epenesa listed ahead of future Hall of Famer Von Miller. They will heavily rotate during the season, but it’s still noteworthy.
At cornerback, Kaiir Elam, who has struggled with both injuries and confidence in his first two seasons as a Bill, is listed as second string behind Rasul Douglas. Christian Benford gets the call for the other cornerback position, as expected.
Safety has been the biggest question for the Bills defense throughout training camp. With the release of Jordan Poyer and the (possible) retirement of Micah Hyde, Buffalo has some big shoes to fill in the backfield. It looks as though they will be riding with Taylor Rapp, the primary backup from last year, and Damar Hamlin. Rookie Cole Bishop is listed as second on the depth chart with veteran Mike Edwards behind him. However, it is important to keep in mind that both Bishop and Edwards are battling injuries at this time and are longshots to play Saturday. Cam Lewis, the Bills’ Swiss Army Knife in the defensive backfield, is listed behind Rapp.
Interestingly, the Bills have listed K.J. Hamler as both their kick returner and their punt returner with Andy Isabella second on the depth chart for punts and Daequan Hardy on kicks. Isabella suffered an injury that required him to be carted off the field during a practice earlier this week, but he was back on the field Wednesday.
The big takeaway - don’t take this first depth chart to the betting tables. Things can change fast. This chart can look completely different a week from now, and then again before the season kicks off on September 8.