Taking a look at the Buffalo Bills’ roster, which stands at 90 players following the draft and undrafted free-agent signings:
Position: Running back
Veterans: LeSean McCoy, Fred Jackson, Boobie Dixon, Bryce Brown
Drafted rookies: Karlos Williams
Undrafted rookies: None
Rookie camp tryouts: Prince-Tyson Gulley (Syracuse), Roderick McDowell (Clemson)
Early thoughts: The selection of Williams in the draft only adds to the intrigue at this position. Fifth-round picks aren't dead-set locks to make the 53-man roster, but typically their chances are very good. Keeping four running backs will be the easiest way for Dixon or Brown to make the final roster, but with a fullback (Jerome Felton), potentially four tight ends (that's what offensive coordinator Greg Roman wants) and as many as six receivers, the Bills might only be able to keep three running backs on their 53-man roster.
That's a scenario where I could see Jackson missing the cut. He's a franchise icon and a locker room leader, but there are simply no guarantees in the NFL, especially at his age. If Jackson's performance dips, or if Dixon or Brown prove more worthy of a roster spot, the Bills could free up roughly $2.5 million of cap space by releasing Jackson. With their 2016 cap space already thin, that space could be carried over into next season and help the team down the road. Fans would understandably loathe the decision, but under the right circumstances, moving on from Jackson could make business sense for the Bills. Good, bad, or indifferent, the Bills made a big commitment to McCoy. He's their guy now.
