Welcome to my first ever mailbag!

Here is where I take questions thrown my way either on social media or email and give my thoughts.

Of course the focus will be on the Bills, but I'm not afraid to veer out of that lane ever so often.

Let's get things going!

To no surprise, I got multiple questions on the Cole Beasley topic. The COVID vaccine is THE story heading into training camp, with Beasley's Twitter comments fueling the fire. 

I have no problem with people voicing their opinions, but I do wonder what Beasley feels is going to come from continuing to talk about his decision not to get vaccinated? His comments are not going to change the protocols that the NFL and NFLPA jointly agreed upon. He is not going to convince people that believe in the vaccine that his choice not to is okay.

Furthermore he has brought a massive amount of attention onto the Bills for something that has nothing to do with football. It is well known how much Sean McDermott does not like distractions and regardless of what he says, that is exactly what this now is.

When I started writing this mailbag earlier this morning, I felt that all of this still would not push Beasley in danger of getting cut. Then he quote tweeted teammate Jerry Hughes and that has weakened my stance on that. This regime has shown throughout their tenure that no one person is bigger than the team. If they feel Beasley's actions are causing a divide in the locker room, they won't keep him around.

Are we there right now? No, but if Beasley continues to cause a stir with teammates in the open, his time in Buffalo very well could come to an end.

Onto football questions!

What makes this training camp so interesting is that the Bills roster is deeper than it's been in quite some time. Some good players are not going to make the team, find their way to another, and succeed. 

Defensive line is where Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott's final decisions may be the hardest.

Since those two joined forces, the Bills initial 53-man roster out of camp has had 8 DL in 2018 and 2019 and 9 in 2017 and 2020. However, from week 6 on last season, 10 or 11 DL were on the active roster, so I believe they'll keep 10 this time around.

I believe Greg Rousseau, Boogie Basham, A.J. Epenesa, Jerry Hughes, Ed Oliver, and Star Lotulelei are all locks.

Vernon Butler and Mario Addison restructing deals this offseason has me thinking they aren't going anywhere. I believe Harrison Phillips is as close to where he was pre-torn ACL, when he was actually taking snaps away from Lotulelei.

That leaves one more spot open.

As we enter camp, I think Darryl Johnson and Efe Obada will battle as the last guy in. Johnson has not done much defensively his first two years, but has been a key part of special teams. Obada had 5.5 sacks and 15 QB hits last season for the Panthers, production that would've led the Bills. Add to that his ability to kick inside and I give him the edge right now.

Obviously CB2 is the one that will be most in the spotlight. It definitely will be interesting to see if Levi Wallace can hold off a challenger for a 3rd-straight training camp.

Beyond that, I think how the WR group gets rounded out will be fun to watch. Assuming Beasley locks it up and sticks around, there are likely 8 guys vying for 2 spots. Isaiah McKenzie likely grabs one of those, especially if he can secure the return duties as well.

Isaiah Hodgins, Duke Williams, Jake Kumerow, and rookie Marquez Stevenson would be at the top of the list to fight for the final spot.

Hodgins had impressive moments during OTAs and minicamp after missing all of his rookie year with a shoulder injury. We've seen what Williams and Kumerow can do when given the chance off the practice squad. And with Stevenson, it should be noted the Bills have only cut 2 draft picks since Beane and McDermott began making the final 53 in 2017.

Here's more extended thoughts on this WR race.

A wild card is also seeing if Cody Ford can be healthy and hold off guys like Ike Boettger and Forrest Lamp.

Every year there are a few surprises come cut day and they do usually involve undrafted free agents. 

I'll give one on offense and one on defense.

Tight end Quintin Morris caught my eye at the tail end of minicamp. He made some plays in 11-on-11 work that had me scrambling for my roster card to see who on earth #85 was. He is a converted wide receiver, so catching the football is his strength while blocking is going to be where he needs to work. Obviously that is not something you see until the pads come on. Dawson Knox and Jacob Hollister are the only TEs I would consider a lock to make the team. A strong camp could push Morris ahead of Tommy Sweeney, Reggie Gilliam, and Nate Becker.

Cornerback Nate McCloud also made plays during OTAs and minicamp. He got a surprising endorsement from Matt Milano when the linebacker was asked about how the rookies had been doing. To get singled out like that definitely means McCloud is making an impression on new teammates. The Notre Dame and NC State product has good size for a CB at 6'0 and 192 pounds. That position group is crowded, but anything can happen.

I told you I can expand things here!

1. 100 Grand

2. Whatchamacallit

3. Snickers

4. Baby Ruth

5. Twix

Honorable Mentions: Milky Way and Kit-Kat

Let the debate begin!

 

Send questions each week for the mailbag to @JonScottTV on Twitter or jonathan.scott@charter.com via email.