Continuing a monthlong series analyzing players who are on the roster bubble and where they potentially fit in 2015:
Name: Michael Buchanan
Position: Defensive end
Age: 24
2014 stats: 3 games, 2 tackles (for New England; placed on injured reserve Oct. 6)
Chance of making 53-man roster: 50 percent
Why he should make it: As coach of the New York Jets, Rex Ryan had experience watching Buchanan in the pass rusher's two seasons with the AFC East rival New England Patriots. Ryan knows defensive players and must have seen some potential in Buchanan, who showed some flashes as a rookie but slipped on the depth chart last season and was shelved with a sports hernia. At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Buchanan has ideal size for an edge rusher and possesses more upside than Bryan Johnson, who spent most of last season on the practice squad. Buchanan is far from a lock to make the 53-man roster but could provide the best pass-rushing depth behind Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes.
Why he shouldn't make it: The Bills believe Buchanan has some versatility to play both as a hand-in-the-dirt rusher and a stand-up linebacker, but he didn't do much of the latter in New England and didn't line up as a linebacker in OTAs or minicamp this spring. So while the prospect of his versatility is appealing, it's more realistic that he earns a role solely as a situational pass rusher. If Manny Lawson, who lined up at strong-side linebacker in the base defense this spring, drops down to defensive end in sub packages this season, Buchanan's utility would be minimized. Veterans Jarius Wynn and Alex Carrington also will push Buchanan for playing time on the edge.
Closest competition: Johnson, Carrington, DE Cedric Reed
