Forget those garbage team-released depth charts, seriously. If you want to know what’s *really* going on with the Bills’ roster battles, you gotta dive into the WAWW Factor from their game against the Panthers. “When and With Whom” a player plays in preseason tells you way more about where they stand than any PR handout. A dude can play like a superstar in the fourth quarter with a bunch of guys who won’t make the team, and guess what? He probably won’t make the team either. It’s all about who you’re running with, and the Bills/Panthers game had some serious takeaways.
Fullback Is Settled, But Cornerback Gets Murky
Alright, let’s talk fullbacks first. Ben VanSumeran is looking like THE guy after the Bills made the move to cut Jackson Acker. VanSumeran was out there for every single rep with the starting offensive unit, then he got the first reps with the second unit against Carolina. That’s a pretty clear signal, right? If they keep a fullback on the 53-man roster, VanSumeran is absolutely the guy.
Now, outside cornerback four is a little more cloudy, and honestly, a bit frustrating. Toriano Pride Jr. got his first snap from scrimmage way back with 3:15 left in the second quarter. Not only that, he was playing special teams in the first quarter! Kani Walker’s first snap didn’t hit until 1:22 left in the third quarter, and he saw zero special teams action. They’re saying Walker might have been dinged up, which would explain the usage. If that injury was a significant factor, we need to see a shift next game. But if he’s still riding the pine against the Browns, then Pride Jr., a seventh-round pick, has definitely got a leg up on the training camp darling. That’s a tough pill if you were high on Walker, but the WAWW Factor does not lie.
WR3 Battle Stays Locked Up
Over at WR3, it’s a tight race, and the Bills aren’t showing their hand yet. Both Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer came in and ran routes with the first-team offense. Both of them also took their final snap right at the beginning of the second quarter. They got their time with the starters, got out, and left us all guessing. It’s a smart move to keep the competition hot, but for us fans trying to figure it out, it means we just gotta keep watching. The Bills aren’t giving any freebies there.
What’s next for these Bills? We absolutely need to keep an eye on Kani Walker’s usage when they suit up against the Browns. If he’s still coming in much later than Pride Jr. and not playing any special teams snaps, then the seventh-round pick has clearly surpassed him in the depth chart battle. These early preseason games are shaping up the roster, and that WAWW Factor is the only truth-teller we’ve got!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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