3 cut candidates on Bills roster ahead of NFL training camp
The Bills enter training camp in a state of flux. For the last few years, they have been the top dogs in the AFC East and one of the strongest teams in the conference. In fact, very often they were the Super Bowl favorites. They contrived to lose playoff matches in a heartbreaking fashion despite having a roster built to win at the moment.
And because they did not lift the Lombardi Trophy, the chickens came home to roost this offseason. They had to let go of many star players like Jordan Poyer, Stefon Diggs, and Micah Hyde to suggest that this year will be markedly different and begin with tempered expectations.
Of course, with Josh Allen as the quarterback anything is possible. But he cannot do everything alone. They will need to ensure they have the right 52 players surrounding him and training camp will be the time for the Bills to ensure that they have the right personnel entering into the season.
That means they will have to cut some players to trim down their squad. And to do so, here are some of the players Buffalo can look at letting go.
3 cut candidates on Bills roster ahead of NFL training camp
Candidate 1 - Damar Hamlin, S
The NFL is a business and sometimes we are brutally reminded of it. Damar Hamlin united the country as they kept him in his thoughts after he collapsed during the 2022 season against the Cincinnati Bengals. He made a miraculous recovery, aided by some of the best medical professionals. It is easy to root for him to get on the field.
But the Bills cannot let sentimentality dictate their choices. Taylor Rapp, rookie Cole Bishop, and newly signed Dee Delaney all look to be ahead of Damar Hamlin in the pecking order. And Buffalo also has enough depth in the defensive back position that it can put a cornerback back at safety if it comes to that. All of this points to Damar Hamlin being on the chopping block.
Candidate 2 - Matt Milano, LB
Matt Milano has been a solid performer for the Bills for several years. And if he is cut, he will be in demand in the market. But for Buffalo, the consideration might be different. One of the reasons they had to let go of so many star players this offseason was because of salary cap constraints and they are still towards the bottom of the league when it comes to remaining cap space.
Matt Milano is coming off of a leg injury that ended his season after five games last year. There are youngsters like Dorian Williams in whom the Bills have invested through multiple draft cycles. Cutting the veteran could free up cap space of nearly $10 million this year if one of his presumptive successors can step up in training camp.
Candidate 3 - Tre' McKitty, TE
The Bills have parted ways with Josh Allen's top two receivers from last season. Both Gabe Davis and Stefon Diggs have gone. If the quarterback has a familiar crop of receivers, it comes at the tight end position. Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are sure to be the top two picks there.
Quintin Morris should also be able to retain his spot because he brings variations and can offer support to the special teams. That means that Tre' McKitty could be one of the players to be cut at the end of training camp. He is reportedly a popular figure in the dressing room but another season on the practice squad like last season may beckon.