Nine Surprises Spotted on Buffalo Bills' First Preseason Depth Chart

The Buffalo Bills released their unofficial depth chart heading into their August 15 preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers in Orchard Park, and there are more than a few surprises.

Of course, to no one's surprise five-time NFL MVP finalist Josh Allen sits in the QB1 slot, but there's real interest in the battle to be his understudy.

The backup quarterback competition is one of multiple spots that will be determined over the next few weeks.

With two weeks of training camp practices in the books, here are the nine positions that caught our attention when examining the first depth chart.

Bills' First Released Depth Chart (Preseason Week 1) 👀

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Backup Quarterback

Mitch Trubisky is gone, and two familiar faces are vying to replace him. Kyle Allen, who was QB2 for the Bills in 2023, returns to compete against Shane Buechele, who has spent three seasons with Buffalo, primarily in a practice squad role.

Allen holds second-team status on the depth chart, but neither has been overly impressive during open camp practices. The preseason games will go a long way in determining the winner.

Bills quarterbacks Shane Buechele (6), Kyle Allen, left, and Josh Allen head to the next set of drills during the opening day of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Wednesday, July 29, 2026 in Pittsford. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Third Wide Receiver

Despite Josh Palmer's strong start to training camp, the Bills have listed embattled 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman as the third wide receiver when starting the game in trips formation.

Palmer is listed on the second team, directly behind WR1 DJ Moore. Fourth-round rookie Skyler Bell currently stands as Coleman's backup.

Fullback

The Bills deployed fullback Reggie Gilliam for 21 percent of offensive snaps in 2025. Despite Gilliam's departure, it's presumed Buffalo desires to keep a fullback in its bag of tricks.

The decision will be between undrafted rookie Jackson Acker and former Philadelphia Eagles' converted linebacker Ben Van Sumeren, who is currently first on the depth chart. The real test will be how each competitor responds in the run game during live preseason action. It's worth noting that Acker was contributor for Wisconsin under interim head coach Jim Leonhard, who is now the Bills' defensive coordinator.

Left Guard

With Davis Edwards landing a mega contract with the New Orleans Saints, the Bills need to settle on a new starting left guard. Utilityman Alec Anderson, who has spent the past two seasons as Buffalo's sixth lineman, entered as a slight favorite and holds first-team status ahead of the preseason opener.

Veteran free agent addition Austin Corbett, the starting right guard for the Super Bowl LVI champion Los Angeles Rams, is the primary challenger to Anderson. He's second on the depth chart with undrafted rookie Bruno Fina on the third team.

Defensive Line

The three first-team down linemen include two second-year players. While Deone Walker is the presumed nose tackle, fellow 2025 pick TJ Sanders is listed at defensive end opposite veteran Ed Oliver.

The second-team trio consists of a bulked-up Landon Jackson and fifth-round round Zane Durant on the ends with former Washington Commanders' second-rounder Phidarian Mathis in the middle. In a troubling sign for Dewayne Carter, who is coming off an Achilles tear, the 2024 third-round pick is on the third team behind nose tackles Walker and Mathis.

Inside Linebacker

It doesn't appear as if the unsigned Matt Milano will return, meaning the Bills need a starter to pair with two-time returning captain Terrel Bernard. Despite what's been an impressive showing thus far from fourth-round rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr, returnee Dorian Williams is listed next to Bernard on the first team.

Elarms-Orr is the current second-teamer behind Williams while Joe Andreessen is backing up Bernard. Keonta Jenkins and Jimmy Ciarlo are the third-teamers.

Jan 4, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets fullback Andrew Beck (47) carries the ball for a touchdown defended by Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Safety

With Cole Bishop, who is coming off a breakout season, entering camp as an incumbent starter, there is a loaded competition for the spot alongside him. Three veterans, all with prior NFL starting experience, are in the mix along with a rookie.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, a Super Bowl LIX champion, is the current leader. Meanwhile, familiar veteran Damar Hamlin and free-agent addition Geno Stone are listed on the second team. Hamlin is behind Gardner-Johnson with Stone backing up Bishop. Notably, Fifth-round rookie Jalon Kilgore, who generated some buzz before the pads came on, currently holds third-team status.

Outside Cornerback

The burning question here is who will earn the spot playing opposite CB1 Christian Benford? Right now, the odds are trending in Max Hairston's favor with the 2025 first-round draft pick listed on the first team. After beginning his rookie season on Injured Reserve, Hairston eventually earned three starts before a different injury sidelined him for the playoffs.

Second-round rookie Davison Igbinosun, who is viewed as Hairston's main competitor, holds second-team status behind Benford. Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Kani Walker, who has been one of the top surprises of camp thus far, is listed behind Hairston.

Punter

While returnee Mitch Wishnowsky was seemingly put on notice when the Bills used a seventh-round draft pick on rookie Tommy Doman, the 34-year-old veteran currently holds an incumbency advantage.

Wishnowsky enters the preseason lid-lifter as the Bills' primary punter and holder.

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