BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills will play in the NFL's season opener, traveling to play the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8. But first, they head back to Rochester for training camp on the back of a second straight AFC East title and playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. This year, all the expectations in the world are on Buffalo. The team has been Super Bowl favorites throughout the offseason (+650 per Caesars Sportsbook) and only got stronger by adding one of the best pass-rushers in NFL history to the roster in Von Miller.
A big season awaits the Bills with one of the NFL's most complete rosters.
Here's a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (2): Josh Allen, Case Keenum
This is the easiest position to predict on the roster. Allen will start his fifth season having developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, while Case Keenum will take over Mitch Trubisky's role as Allen's backup. The other quarterback on the roster, Matt Barkley, is likely headed for the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (5): Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, James Cook, Taiwan Jones, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
After the team drafted Cook in the second round this year, Moss needs to show he can take a step forward during training camp and contribute two years into his rookie deal. Jones, one of the oldest players on the roster, was a special teams captain last year.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Jamison Crowder, Isaiah McKenzie, Khalil Shakir, Jake Kumerow
Wide receiver is yet again a deep position for the Bills, although with some new faces joining the fold. McKenzie and Crowder have both shined during offseason workouts and will be competing for the slot receiver role that Cole Beasley occupied over the last three years. Marquez Stevenson, a 2021 sixth-round pick, doesn't make the cut here, but both he and veteran Tavon Austin have chances to earn spots in camp as returners.
TIGHT END (3): Dawson Knox, O.J. Howard, Tommy Sweeney
The Bills added depth to the tight end room by signing Howard during free agency. Last year, the offense was limited because there wasn't another dynamic tight end to pair on the field with Knox. Adding Howard opens up more for the offense. Sweeney could lose his roster spot based on the numbers, so a strong camp performance will be important.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Dion Dawkins, Rodger Saffold, Mitch Morse, Ryan Bates, Spencer Brown, Cody Ford, Ike Boettger, David Quessenberry, Tommy Doyle
This is another position group that isn't overly complicated. The Bills have their starters set -- Dawkins, Saffold, Morse, Bates and Brown. After that, a spot may become available based on the health of Boettger, who is recovering from a left Achilles injury suffered in December and will likely start on PUP. Greg Mancz and Greg Van Roten are top candidates to earn roster spots based on performances and injuries.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9): Miller, Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham, AJ Epenesa, Shaq Lawson, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, Jordan Phillips, Tim Settle
This group has experienced the most change since last season with some news faces, highlighted by Miller. The team needs some of its younger pass-rushers to step up and training camp will be an opportunity for those players to show what they can do.
LINEBACKER (6): Tremaine Edmunds, Matt Milano, Terrel Bernard, Tyler Matakevich, Tyrel Dodson, Andre Smith
Andre Smith, who is largely a special teams contributor, is suspended for the season's first six games, which will open up an additional spot almost immediately. Bernard's development into training camp will be worth watching as he is a key third linebacker behind Edmunds and Milano.
CORNERBACK (6): Tre'Davious White, Kaiir Elam, Dane Jackson, Taron Johnson, Siran Neal, Nick McCloud
With White continuing to rehab from a torn left ACL, the starting corner spots are currently occupied by Elam and Jackson. How Elam progresses over the course of training camp will be key storyline as he is set up to play a significant role. Who earns the last cornerback spot is up in the air, but the edge goes to McCloud over draft pick Christian Benford, both of whom are also potential depth at safety.
SAFETY (4): Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Damar Hamlin, Jaquan Johnson
Poyer is still seeking a contract extension, although he did attend the team's mandatory minicamp and participated throughout. There does appear to be optimism that something gets done here, and one of the best safety duos in the league could be together for even longer. The two safeties' absence during OTAs did provide more opportunities for the younger players to learn alongside the first-team defense.
SPECIALISTS (3): Tyler Bass (kicker), Matt Araiza (punter), Reid Ferguson (long-snapper)
Punter is the only specialist position with competition as Araiza, a 2022 sixth-round pick, is competing with Matt Haack, who general manager Brandon Beane said underperformed in 2021. Part of this battle comes down to holding, something Araiza has never done in a game.