NFL
By: Randall Slifer
The Buffalo Bills finished their last preseason game on Sunday, and cut-down day is today. There have been some incredible standouts during the preseason game, and many players have had the opportunity to showcase themselves, with the starters playing minimal time. Let’s take a look at who shone and who may earn a roster spot:
Jimmy Ciarlo
Jimmy Ciarlo had an impressive preseason for Buffalo, which was not expected by many. Ciarlo was a two-time captain at Army West Point, playing linebacker. He was a three-phase linebacker who racked up three sacks in his final year while contributing in coverage and defending the run. He played all three preseason games, racking up 11 tackles, including six defensive stops and a fumble recovery.
Ciarlo showed off his closing speed and reaction time in defending the run and coverage. He may have given up some catches in coverage, but he was blanketing receivers for minimal yards after the catch. He was very instinctual and committed to understanding the game, and it paid off. He excelled in open field tackles and red zone defense, qualities that Buffalo values in the regular season.
The final linebacker spot will more than likely come down to Shaq Thompson or Jimmy Ciarlo. Shaq Thompson is a vet in the league, so he may have the edge in earning the roster spot. It is undeniable that Ciarlo has done a significant amount to earn a starting role, and we will find out today if he made the 53-man roster.
Brandon Codrington
Brandon Codrington is an interesting case to make the 53-man roster. Codrington is a cornerback with good special teams qualities, but he would not make the roster as a cornerback. Last year, the kickoff rules were introduced, but they were deemed unsuccessful, and all NFL teams continued to kick the ball through the end zone. Now, the rule has changed so that NFL teams do not want to give their opponents an offense starting position at the 35-yard line.
Codrington has been our best kick returner during the preseason, and I believe Buffalo was hoping for Laviska Shenault to be better. Laviska showed stiffness in his running and did not have the explosiveness that earns a role in kick returning. Codrington was an outstanding returner last year for Buffalo, and he showed similarities this year that he can bring to the table more with the new rules implemented.
The Buffalo Bills covets players who can do two jobs on the team if you are a depth piece. Unfortunately, we currently lack a returner who excels at another position. There is a risk in rolling out Keon Coleman on kick returns, as he is set up to have an impactful role on the offense, and losing him to a special teams injury would be brutal. At the moment, it seems like Buffalo gives Codrington the nod for kick returning abilities, and possibly adjusts throughout the year until something truly sticks.
Tyrell Shavers
Tyrell Shavers had the most productive and exciting preseason out of all the Buffalo Bills players this year. In the three preseason games, Shavers racked up six catches for 123 yards and one touchdown. That one touchdown was an incredible one-handed catch in the endzone on a fade that was tightly covered. Reports from training camp and practices indicate that he has been impactful throughout the offseason, a trend that continued during the preseason games. He has shown his releases off the line are NFL-ready, and his route running has been above average.
Buffalo has established their top three wide receivers in Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Joshua Palmer. After that, it goes Curtis Samuel, Elijah Moore, and Tyrell Shavers. Elijah Moore has demonstrated a skillset that can effectively backup Khalil Shakir, with separation provided by his speed, which is unmatched on the roster.
Curtis Samuel is a dynamic Z-receiver who can produce greatly, as long as he stays healthy. Curtis just started practicing last week, as he has been out with an injury all offseason. The caveat to Curtis Samuel is that he carries a hefty salary this year, and cutting him does not do Buffalo any favors. Buffalo will hope Curtis stays healthy and available throughout the season and the postseason, unless a different team will take on his cap hit in a trade.
The Buffalo Bills should run with six receivers to start and give Shavers a deserved roster spot. The Bills are on Hard Knocks this year, and there is a clip of Sean McDermott stating this very situation. It involved a great play by Joe Andreessen, acknowledging that if you work hard during practices and show it on the field, you deserve more time to play. Tyrell Shavers has done that day in and day out this offseason, and to me, it would seem a little hypocritical if he does not get a spot that I believe he earned. The back of the wide receiver room is shaky, and Tyrell has been the standout.
What players do you believe stood out during the preseason and may earn a roster spot for the Buffalo Bills? Let me know your thoughts here or on X/Bluesky @RandallSlifer. As always, Go Bills!
