The Buffalo Bills have officially put together their initial roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
The 53-man group that made the team will change over time, as will the group of players re-signed to the practice squad.
But this first group of moves can be broken down. It gives us some potential insight into how the Bills coaching staff is feeling about their team.
Following 2025 roster cuts, here are Bills Wire’s five takeaways from the team:
Hairston to miss time
The cornerback position for the Bills was on high-alert. That was because of injuries.
With Tre’Davious White (lower body) and first-round rookie Maxwell Hairston (knee) were dealing with issues, what would happen?
White, Christian Benford, Dorian Strong, Ja’Marcus Ingram, Taron Johnson, Cam Lewis, and Brandon Codrington made the team. Hairston was placed on injured reserve and will miss the first four games.
The severity of their injuries are now known.
Shavers does enough but another curious receiver too
Wide receiver Tyrell Shavers made the roster after his huge summer. Many in Bills Mafia were rooting for him.
Interesting, so did Curtis Samuel.
Based on his playing time we will see if that was motivated by his skill or salary cap hit of $3 million if he was cut once we see his playing time during the season.
Former draft picks not safe
Edefuan Ulofoshio was a fifth-round pick of the Bills just a year ago. He did well on special teams a year ago, but instead of giving Ulofoshio a chance to do so again, veteran Shaq Thompson was kept as a depth linebacker.
Ulofoshio could eventually return if injury strike. He was not picked up by any team in the NFL after being released.
D-line ‘cuts’ still coming
The Bills kept these players on their defensive line: Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, DeWayne Carter, TJ Sanders, Deone Walker, Greg Rousseau, Joey Bosa, AJ Epenesa, Javon Solomon, and Landon Jackson.
With Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi serving six-game suspensions, there were no surprises in this position group in terms of cuts. Nearly everyone made it.
Their actual “cut” deadline will come after those suspensions.
What happens then?
Safety not set?
Taylor Rapp, Cole Bishop, Damar Hamlin, and rookie Jordan Hancock were kept at the safety position. Throw in the versatile Cam Lewis, too.
But this group has been shaky throughout the preseason, so enter Jordan Poyer.
The 34-year-old veteran could be a mentor… or perhaps will Poyer play if the group struggles that much? His signing is very interesting.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 5 takeaways from the Bills on NFL roster cut-down day5