The Buffalo Bills are supposed to be a Super Bowl team in 2026. Vegas says so. The talking heads say so. And for one very obvious reason — Josh Allen — the hype is justified. But hype doesn’t win games. Depth charts do. So before the Bills get to training camp, let’s run through every position group on the roster and slap a real grade on it. No sugarcoating.
Quarterback: 10. Obviously. Josh Allen is still the best quarterback alive, and it’s not close. Behind him, Kyle Allen is a legit veteran backup who also happens to be Josh’s golf partner. Shane Buechele holds a clipboard and runs the scout team well. You’d be hard-pressed to find 31 other teams that wouldn’t trade QB rooms straight up. This one is easy.
Running backs: 9. James Cook is a Pro Bowler. Ray Davis is an All-Pro kick returner who deserved more carries last year and might get them this year. Ty Johnson is one of the best third-down backs in football. Frank Gore Jr. could start for multiple teams. The fullback spot is a question mark after Reggie Gilliam left, but Ben VanSumeren and undrafted rookie Jackson Acker will fight for it. This group is loaded.
Wide receivers: 7. Here’s where it gets tricky. Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, and Tyrell Shavers were the core of a mediocre room last season. But they added veteran Pro Bowler D.J. Moore and rookie Skyler Bell. If Moore still has juice at 29 and Bell hits as a fourth-rounder, this grade goes up. If Moore is cooked and Bell is just a guy, it drops fast. Right now, it’s a solid wait-and-see seven.
Tight ends: 5. Dalton Kincaid is an average tight end when healthy. Dawson Knox is fine. Jackson Hawes and Keleki Latu are fine. That’s the whole room. Nothing special. If Kincaid can stay on the field for a full season in Year 4, maybe he takes a step. But as it stands, this is the definition of mid.
Offensive line: 7. The starting four — Dion Dawkins, Spencer Hawes, O’Cyrus Torrence, Connor McGovern — are rock solid. But left guard is a black hole right now. Alec Anderson, free-agent signee Austin Corbett, and rookies Ar’maj Reed-Adams and Jude Bowry will battle for it. If someone locks that spot down, this line jumps to a 9 or 10. Until then, it’s a seven with a question mark.
Interior defensive line: 7. Ed Oliver headlines a deep group that includes Deone Walker, T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, DeWayne Carter, Phidarian Mathis, rookie Zane Durant, and even outside guys like Michael Hoecht and T.J. Parker who can slide inside. There’s no massive run-stuffer here, but Jim Leonard’s blitz-heavy scheme doesn’t need one. This unit can control the line of scrimmage on any down.
Outside linebackers: 5. Gregory Rousseau and Parker are more traditional 4-3 ends trying to play 3-4 outside backer. Bradley Chubb flashes brilliance but can’t stay healthy. If one of these guys hits double-digit sacks, this grade rises. Right now, it’s a coin flip.
Inside linebackers: 5. Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams are holdovers from the 4-3 defense and don’t naturally fit Leonard’s scheme. Rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr and fan favorite Joe Andreesen could push for starting jobs. Our prediction? Elarms-Orr is the starter by Week 1. Williams might have the best fit but his neck injury is a concern. This group is unsettled.
Cornerbacks: 4. Christian Benford is a legit CB1. After that, it’s scary. Maxwell Hairston has talent but missed 11 games as a rookie with injury issues. Rookie Davison Igbinosun is currently CB3, and he was flagged 30 times at Ohio State. Beyond that, it’s a bunch of young and injured guys. If Benford or Hairston miss time, this could get ugly fast.
Safeties: 7. This group makes up for the cornerback problems. Cole Bishop emerged as a rising star last year. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was a smart free-agent pickup. Rookie Jalen Kilgore looks ready to contribute. Buffalo might not even need a traditional nickel corner because they have so many safeties who can play that role. This is a legitimate strength.
The Bills have elite pieces at the top and real question marks in the middle. Training camp will tell us if the holes get filled or if the hype was premature.
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