OTA Depth Chart

[ServoBillieves]

Before I post these, I know that it's OTA's. Chan said specifically that these lineups mean nothing, who plays well gets more reps, and that if you asked him in training camp who was at what situation he would still tell you he did not know. With that being said, knowing players around the board, I know that we've had our favorites, guys we've rooted for, and stars that seem to be going in to the white dwarf stage. The official BB.com depth chart is something interesting to see right now.

http://www.buffalobills.com/team/depth-chart.html

Pretty interesting... Merriman is a 3rd stringer, might still be with the injury (ever if he says he's 100%). Easley is an "Other", Asper and Sanders 3rd strings on O Line, Bradham on the back burner behind Batten (appropriately awesome alliteration). Ruvell Martin, with all the fanfare of everyone saying he was a shoe in due to his ST ability, is looking a lot like Hank Baskett at this point, regardless of depth charts. Jones as we knew would be in the top spot across from Stevie, but Hagan still holds his spot right behind SJ13. Graham is a 3rd rounder, so we knew he'd be up there, but ahead of Easley, Aiken, and Martin is Roosevelt... could be that sneaky 6th receiver that Chan likes.

The Safety backup situation was interesting to me, and I really thought Nesbitt would be the go to guy but it's looking like the UDFA Saenz will yet again be the white guy who makes it as a ST sleeper (Corto, Bowen, Wire, Wendling, the list goes on...). Behind our two tanks at DT we have Carrington and Edwards. Behind those 4, are Troup and Heard. In the old scheme, those 5 and 6 players were playing quite well and showing flashes. I truly believe Edwards will be beaten out by Troup, but as of now it's going to be a battle.

This Scott McKillop guy is killing me... If he's good someone let me know because I know he's a Wanny protege but the Tank is right behind him. McKillop I can't find a single video (game tape, highlights, even youtube) for a mediocre defense while Tank was on one of the best defenses in the nation for 2 years straight.

I hadn't seen an updated depth chart in a while, just checked tonight and saw this... Discuss if you're bored.

[YardRat]

I wouldn't pay too much attention to any depth charts at this point. Obviously who ever puts this up for the BB site doesn't have any inside info, or else they would have Smith penciled as the third QB, and not other.

[John Doe]

Before I post these, I know that it's OTA's. Chan said specifically that these lineups mean nothing, who plays well gets more reps, and that if you asked him in training camp who was at what situation he would still tell you he did not know. With that being said, knowing players around the board, I know that we've had our favorites, guys we've rooted for, and stars that seem to be going in to the white dwarf stage. The official BB.com depth chart is something interesting to see right now.

http://www.buffalobills.com/team/depth-chart.html

Pretty interesting... Merriman is a 3rd stringer, might still be with the injury (ever if he says he's 100%). Easley is an "Other", Asper and Sanders 3rd strings on O Line, Bradham on the back burner behind Batten (appropriately awesome alliteration). Ruvell Martin, with all the fanfare of everyone saying he was a shoe in due to his ST ability, is looking a lot like Hank Baskett at this point, regardless of depth charts. Jones as we knew would be in the top spot across from Stevie, but Hagan still holds his spot right behind SJ13. Graham is a 3rd rounder, so we knew he'd be up there, but ahead of Easley, Aiken, and Martin is Roosevelt... could be that sneaky 6th receiver that Chan likes.

The Safety backup situation was interesting to me, and I really thought Nesbitt would be the go to guy but it's looking like the UDFA Saenz will yet again be the white guy who makes it as a ST sleeper (Corto, Bowen, Wire, Wendling, the list goes on...). Behind our two tanks at DT we have Carrington and Edwards. Behind those 4, are Troup and Heard. In the old scheme, those 5 and 6 players were playing quite well and showing flashes. I truly believe Edwards will be beaten out by Troup, but as of now it's going to be a battle.

This Scott McKillop guy is killing me... If he's good someone let me know because I know he's a Wanny protege but the Tank is right behind him. McKillop I can't find a single video (game tape, highlights, even youtube) for a mediocre defense while Tank was on one of the best defenses in the nation for 2 years straight.

I hadn't seen an updated depth chart in a while, just checked tonight and saw this... Discuss if you're bored.

Nothing boring about speculation on who makes the team (nice alliteration by the way).

Some of the chart makes sense, some not so much.

In some cases I think that whoever put the thing together gave emphasis to players that have NFL experience over rookies (Batten over Bradham, Young over Sanders etc.). On the other hand, the 2 top draft picks certainly get their due. It does not duplicate a player's position, so Scott only appears as a linebacker and not as a defensive back and Johnson appears as a defensive end and not as a tackle. This versatility may skew the pecking orders at those spots.


As Yardrat points out, Smith is a virtual lock at the 3rdQB.


Merriman slotted as a 3rdstringer is a wonder – it may be due to Johnson's being listed asan end.


The chart does show that there are a ton of final position battles IMO:


Jasper vs Asper for the 4th guard slot – the only thing separating them is the letter J (and the ability to play center).


Young vs. Sanders for the 4thoffensive tackle.


Aiken, Easely, and Roosevelt for the 6thwide receiver position (if they decide to keep 6). I can't recall anyone thinking that Martin was a serious possibility even as a special team specialist.


Kevin Brock vs. Mike Caussin vs. Dorin Dickerson for the lightweight tight end/H-back position


Choice vs. White for 3rdrunning back


Everybody and their uncle for the 3rdand 4thdefensive tackles.


Everybody but Bradham (a lock) for the backup linebackers.


A bunch of nobodies for a possible safety position if they decide to keep 5 including Scott.

[YardRat]

I don't think they have enough spots to keep four guards, three TE's/H-backs, and six receivers.

[John Doe]

I don't think they have enough spots to keep four guards, three TE's/H-backs, and six receivers.

No argument there.

The tail end at each position are competing against each other on their merits as special teams players and overall flexibility.

For that reason the position that is in the most jeopardy is the 6th wide receiver since Smith (and maybe Dickerson) can fill in there.

[Jan Reimers]

Gailey says all the names have magnets, so they can be moved at any time. Kinda' like my grandkids' artwork.

[ddaryl]

15659

Surprised Hairston is only listed as a backup LT figured he would be LT and RT. Probably happen on the final roster though.

Thigpen is still #2... yikes

are my images not showing up ???

[ddaryl]

15660

Surprised to see Bradham so low, but obvioulsy these depth charts are more about seniority at this point

[YardRat]

QB-Fitzpatrick/VINCE YOUNG/B.Smith (3)
RB-Jackson/Spiller/Choice (3)
***FB-McIntyre (1)***Dickerson could unseat McIntyre here***
***WR-Stevie/Jones/TJ GRAHAM/Nelson/Easley/(Smith) (5)- Hagan, Roosevelt, Aiken, Clowney, Martin, Derek Sessions ***In order, in case of injuries***
TE-Chandler/Smith (2)
T-Hairston/Pears/CORDY GLENN/Zebrie Sanders(4)
G-Levitre/Urbick/Rhinehart (3)
***C-Wood/Brown (2)

K-Lindell, John Potter(2)
***P-Moorman (1) - Shawn Powell***
LS-Sanborn (1)


DE-Kelsay/MARIO WILLIAMS/MARK ANDERSON/Johnson/Merriman (5)
DT-Williams/Dareus/Heard/Carrington (4)
OLB-Barnett/Morrison/NIGEL BRADHAM(3)
ILB-Sheppard/TANK CARDER/Moats (3)
CB-Williams/STEPHON GILMORE/McGee/Rogers/McKelvin/RON BROOKS (6)
SS-Wilson/Searcy/Scott (3)
FS-Byrd/Howell (2)

Could go with one kicker, or four total safeties including Scott, to make room for a 6th WR...

[Ed]

No argument there.

The tail end at each position are competing against each other on their merits as special teams players and overall flexibility.

For that reason the position that is in the most jeopardy is the 6th wide receiver since Smith (and maybe Dickerson) can fill in there.
Chris Brown said that keeping 6 WR's is pretty much a lock since the team runs so many plays out of a 4 WR set. He even said there's an outside chance they could keep 7 WR's, but most likely they'll keep 6 and add 2 to the practice squad.

I wouldn't put too much thought into this depth chart right now. It's just a starting point. Guys like Merriman, Kelsay, and any other D-linemen that make the team are all going to have roles and packages that they are a part of, so where they end up on the depth chart won't really mean much. They'll all play.

[YardRat]

Chris Brown said that keeping 6 WR's is pretty much a lock

Including Smith?

[John Doe]

Including Smith?

Last season, if I recall correctly, they kept 5 wide receivers plus Smith: Johnson, Nelson, Jones, Parrish, and Easley (replaced by Ruvell Martin after he went on IR).

When Jones went down they added Roosevelt and later Hagan and Aiken. Smith saw a lot of time at WR because of the injury situation.

This could actually be looked at as a good reason to keep 6 true receivers plus Smith because of all the scrambling to add bodies at the position. The down side to keeping 6 plus Smith is, of course, depth at other positions. If they keep Dickerson I don't see how they can keep 6 plus Smith.

[stuckincincy]

Chris Brown said that keeping 6 WR's is pretty much a lock since the team runs so many plays out of a 4 WR set. He even said there's an outside chance they could keep 7 WR's, but most likely they'll keep 6 and add 2 to the practice squad.

I wouldn't put too much thought into this depth chart right now. It's just a starting point. Guys like Merriman, Kelsay, and any other D-linemen that make the team are all going to have roles and packages that they are a part of, so where they end up on the depth chart won't really mean much. They'll all play.


Given the current WR corps, I doubt they feel any need to carry 6. Having 7 on the final roster would amaze...you may as well hand over your game plan to the opponents.

[YardRat]

I don't see them keeping 6 + Smith, simply for the fact that they also have two RB's that can be split out wide.

5 plus Smith, Spiller and Jackson (and maybe even Dickerson replacing McIntyre) would be more than sufficient. Also, they would be hard-pressed to find two on the current roster that would even be eligible for the PS.

[Ed]

Well they kept 6 last year + Smith, and Chris Brown thinks it's a lock that they will carry 6 again, so I don't know why we should expect less this year. Unless you think they are going to keep both Young and Thigpen, or a 10th O-lineman, or a 5th RB, or a 4th TE. But that doesn't really make sense considering we need more depth at WR.

And there's plenty of eligible players for the PS from our pool of undrafted rookies. Guys like Martin and Clowney will either make the team or be cut, and if someone goes on IR they can always be re-signed.

[ServoBillieves]

Well they kept 6 last year + Smith, and Chris Brown thinks it's a lock that they will carry 6 again, so I don't know why we should expect less this year. Unless you think they are going to keep both Young and Thigpen, or a 10th O-lineman, or a 5th RB, or a 4th TE. But that doesn't really make sense considering we need more depth at WR.

And there's plenty of eligible players for the PS from our pool of undrafted rookies. Guys like Martin and Clowney will either make the team or be cut, and if someone goes on IR they can always be re-signed.

See I'm not even looking at the offensive side of the ball, I'm looking at all the depth/wealth of talent on the D-line and LB. The Bills have spent so many picks on them and Moats/Batten/White/Carrington/Troup... of that group someone (if not most) aren't going to make the roster.

[Buffalogic]

Not really interested in the order at this point, but wow the depth at DT and CB will really help this team in 2012.