The Buffalo Bills walked into the 2026 offseason with one goal: maximize the window while Josh Allen is playing like a top-three quarterback in the league. They promoted Joe Brady to head coach. They hired Jim Leonhard to fix the defense. They traded for DJ Moore. They signed Bradley Chubb, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone and Dee Alford in free agency. Then they drafted TJ Parker and Davison Igbinosun. The roster is stacked. Maybe too stacked.
That creates a problem general managers actually want to have. Buffalo has more quality players than available snaps. And Brandon Beane has never been the type to hold onto depth just for the sake of it. If another team calls with the right offer, a few veterans could be packing their bags before the season starts.
The offensive line surplus nobody is talking about
Lloyd Cushenberry III signed with the Bills as a free agent and immediately looked like a starting-caliber center. The problem? Connor McGovern has already locked down that job. O’Cyrus Torrence is cemented at right guard. Austin Corbett can play anywhere up front. So Cushenberry is stuck in a weird spot: good enough to start for half the league, but probably third on the depth chart in Buffalo.
Interior offensive linemen get hot every August. Teams lose starters in training camp and panic. That’s when Beane should pick up the phone. Cushenberry has experience calling protections and he’s proven he can handle the job. If a contender loses a center or guard during camp, the Bills could flip him for a mid-round pick and not miss a beat. It’s the kind of move that feels cold until you remember championship rosters are built by making the hard cuts.
Mike Danna might be odd man out on a rebuilt defense
Mike Danna is a solid edge defender. He sets the edge against the run, he works hard, and he generates pressure even if the sack numbers don’t jump off the page. There are plenty of teams that would use him as a rotational piece or even a spot starter.
But Buffalo’s defense looks different now. Leonhard wants versatility. He wants guys who can rush the passer and also drop into coverage. Danna is more of a traditional power end. That doesn’t mean he can’t contribute, but it does mean his path to meaningful snaps got a lot narrower. Several teams running base 4-3 fronts would value what he brings more than the Bills do right now. Instead of keeping him as a rotational reserve, Beane could move him for a pick and let some other team figure out his fit.
Mecole Hardman’s speed is real. So is the roster crunch.
Mecole Hardman Jr. can still run. He’s one of the fastest players in the league. But the Bills receiver room went from thin to crowded in a hurry. DJ Moore is the clear No. 1. Khalil Shakir has become Josh Allen’s most trusted target over the middle. Joshua Palmer brings experience on the outside. Keon Coleman is part of the long-term plan. Hardman is faster than all of them, but speed alone doesn’t guarantee targets.
He’s also a viable return man, which adds value for teams looking for special teams help. Around the league, contenders are always hunting for vertical threats and return-game juice. Hardman gives both. If some team believes he can reignite their offense or stabilize their punt return unit, Buffalo should listen. Moving him would also clean up a crowded receiver rotation and bring back an asset that could matter down the road.
None of this means these players can’t help the Bills win games this season. They can. But Buffalo’s roster is deep enough that keeping everyone isn’t realistic. Beane has shown he’ll make the uncomfortable call if it improves the team long term. If another front office comes calling during training camp, don’t be surprised if one of these three is shipped out for future capital.
Leave a Comment