Bills finalize 53-man roster with notable cuts and rookie additions

The Buffalo Bills released their initial 53-man roster on Sunday, highlighting several unexpected moves. Coach Joe Brady kept five wide receivers, opting to cut veteran Trent Sherfield, while the team did not retain a fullback after Ben VanSumeren was released and tight end Keleki Latu was added.

On the offensive line, rookie draft picks Jude Bowry and Ar’Maj Reed-Adams earned roster spots over previous selections Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, Nick Broeker and Chase Lundt. Van Pran-Granger was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a future sixth-round pick.

The defense saw both outside linebackers Javon Solomon and Mike Danna survive roster cuts, as well as interior linemen Greg Gaines and DeWayne Carter. Only three true cornerbacks—Christian Benford, Max Hairston and Davison Igbinosun—made the team, prompting speculation about a need for veteran depth.

The finalized roster includes quarterbacks Josh Allen and Kyle Allen; running backs James Cook, Ty Johnson and Ray Davis; wide receivers DJ Moore, Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell; tight ends Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes and Keleki Latu; interior offensive linemen Connor McGovern, O’Cyrus Torrence, Alec Anderson, Lloyd Cushenberry, Austin Corbett and Ar’Maj Reed-Adams; tackles Dion Dawkins, Spencer Brown, Tylan Grable and Jude Bowry; outside linebackers Greg Rousseau, Bradley Chubb, Michael Hoecht, TJ Parker, Javon Solomon and Mike Danna; defensive linemen Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, TJ Sanders, Landon Jackson, Greg Gaines and DeWayne Carter; inside linebackers Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, Kaleb Elarms-Orr and Joe Andreessen; cornerbacks Christian Benford, Max Hairston, Dee Alford, Davison Igbinosun and Jordan Hancock; safeties CJ Gardner-Johnson, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, Jalon Kilgore and Sam Franklin; and special teams players Tyler Bass (kicker), Tommy Doman (punter) and Reid Ferguson (long snapper).

Analysts noted that Sherfield’s release was unexpected given his contributions as a receiver, blocker and special-team player, but the performance of rookie Skyler Bell in preseason may have influenced the decision. The team is expected to consider re-signing Sherfield to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The trade of Van Pran-Granger was described as a strategic move to acquire future draft capital. Rookie cornerback Kani Walker, despite a strong preseason showing, was not retained on the active roster and may join the practice squad. The Bills retained two rookie offensive linemen, Bowry and Reed-Adams, with Bowry’s injury status still uncertain. Both Danna and Solomon, as well as interior linemen Gaines and Carter, survived final cuts, providing depth on the defensive front.