The Buffalo Bills went into their three-day getaway in Cleveland hoping they would get their top starters all the work they needed in Thursday’s joint practice with the Browns, and could then rest them during Saturday’s preseason game.They carried out their plan to a T, as the Bills’ backups collected a 31-7 blowout victory over the Browns. The Bills rested 28 players, headlined by star quarterback Josh Allen, giving their roster depth plenty of work as they try to make decisions for the 53-man roster.Of those who played, who stood out for good and bad reasons? With final cuts due on Aug. 30, here’s who is trending up and trending down after the Bills’ win.Trending UpQB Kyle AllenIt’s been a rocky training camp for backup quarterback Kyle Allen, which may have provided a bigger opening than expected for third-stringer Shane Buechele. However, Kyle Allen started against the Browns and was sharp: He completed 10 of 12 passes for 128 yards, pushed the ball downfield when the opportunity presented itself, and led two touchdown drives before the first half was done. His strike to undrafted rookie receiver Ja’Mori Maclin was the highlight of Allen’s day. That showing had to be what the Bills were looking for from Allen, and it could go a long way toward ending further speculation about who will be Josh Allen’s backup.LG Alec AndersonWhile the other four projected starting offensive linemen were given the day off, Anderson played the first series against the Browns. On the second offensive series, it was Austin Corbett, Anderson’s competition, at the left guard spot. If the Bills had followed through with the one-series-on, one-series-off routine they’ve used with Anderson and Corbett this summer, it would have been Anderson getting the third series — but it wasn’t. Corbett wound up playing that third series, while Anderson got the rest of the day off. That doesn’t necessarily mean the competition is over, but it’s clear that Anderson has the highest ceiling of the two, and that rotation could have been a signal as to which way the Bills are leaning.ILB Kaleb Elarms-OrrSimilarly, it was notable that the rookie Elarms-Orr took every snap with inside linebacker Keonta Jenkins over the first two defensive series. Elarms-Orr has been competing with Dorian Williams for one of the two starting inside linebacker roles. With one locked-in starter, Terrel Bernard, resting on Saturday, Jenkins moved into the starting lineup. That Elarms-Orr was playing in his normal position next to Jenkins — with Jenkins the presumed Bernard replacement — could signal how the Bills are leaning in that competition. Williams playing with clear third-string linebacker Joe Andreessen could indicate the same. Even if he doesn’t start in Week 1, Elarms-Orr might be too talented to keep off the field in a full-time role for long.OT Tylan GrableAlthough Grable played much longer into the game than rookie fourth-round offensive tackle Jude Bowry, Grable was clearly the stronger and more consistent performer of the two. Bowry’s inconsistencies popped up for a second straight game, which should give Grable every opportunity to be the Bills’ primary reserve swing tackle to open the season. Since Bowry is a roster lock, it would be extremely surprising if Grable wasn’t nearing that status, too.Wide receiver Ja’mori MacLin made multiple big plays in the Bills’ win over the Browns. (Jason Miller / Getty Images)WR Ja’Mori MaclinVery early in training camp, the undrafted rookie Maclin stood out as someone with some real abilities and a chance to stick with the Bills past training camp. His separation and quickness were always evident, and despite being a bit undersized, his type of game can succeed at the NFL level. Maclin showed up massively on Saturday, with an outstanding 37-yard catch to set the table for a touchdown in the first half, and then a 71-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the second half. The Bills might owe it to themselves to keep him on the practice squad to see what he can become.RB Ian WheelerWheeler’s tough running has helped him make a name for himself this summer, and it did so again on Saturday. While he doesn’t have a clear path to the 53-man roster, there is usually a practice squad spot available for a running back. That’s been Frank Gore Jr.’s spot for the last two seasons, but given how well Wheeler has played in comparison, Wheeler could be the one sticking around this year.Trending DownDL DeWayne CarterIt was a tough week for Carter. First, the Bills signed a new defensive lineman, Greg Gaines, who has a ton of experience playing nose tackle in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Carter has been trying to secure the backup nose tackle role behind starter Deone Walker all camp. Just when it looked like he’d be safe for the 53-man roster after Phidarian Mathis, his previous main competition, was handed a three-game suspension, in comes Gaines.On top of that, Gaines played Saturday just days after signing, working into the same rotation Carter was part of in the first half. The Bills shut Gaines down after the first half, while Carter played into the fourth quarter. Every preseason situation is different, but you have to wonder if Carter getting that much time compared to his defensive line peers means the Bills are either trying to give him one last gasp to make the team, hoping to facilitate a trade — or perhaps a bit of both.S Geno StoneIt was another suboptimal outing for Stone, who has operated as one of the team’s top two backup safeties behind Cole Bishop and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. However, the landscape may be shifting a bit. For one, Stone has been outplayed by fellow backup Damar Hamlin. Although Hamlin may not be as good of an athlete, his best attribute is not being out of position, which creates a certain baseline even if he isn’t often making game-changing plays. But Hamlin successfully corralled an interception on Saturday, an important data point.Second, Stone could become expendable because of the versatility of second-year player Jordan Hancock. Over the last week-plus, the Bills have been working Hancock, who has mostly served as the backup nickel this summer, in at safety. They gave Hancock one full defensive series at safety against the Panthers last week, and against the Browns, he got three defensive series there — four if you count the run-out-the-clock play at the end of the first half. Hancock might be the key to the Bills keeping their depth at safety, maybe even improving it, and saving a roster spot all in one shot — which could be bad news for Stone.WR Mecole HardmanThe Bills may have showed us that Hardman might not be in their 53-man roster plans. Running back Ray Davis was the return specialist on the punt return unit to begin the game, and he looked smooth in his one return attempt, fielding the ball and gaining 12 yards. Since that’s Hardman’s best path to making the team, it wasn’t an ideal development. On top of that, Hardman was clearly behind two receivers who aren’t likely to make the team, Trent Sherfield and Stephen Gosnell. Hardman played well into the third quarter while Sherfield’s day was done in the first half. As long as Davis is making progress returning punts, Hardman could be in trouble.FB Ben VanSumerenVanSumeren, the only remaining fullback on the roster, played deep into the fourth quarter. He also whiffed on one block attempt late in the game. But what could be even more detrimental to his chances was what head coach Joe Brady said on Thursday at the joint practice. While Brady was complimentary of VanSumeren, he also said “we’re still evaluating is that a position and a role that we’ll be able to have on our football team.” The door is open to going without a fullback, which would open up a spot to keep someone else they may not want to cut.OL Chase LundtAfter a year-plus at tackle, the Bills didn’t play Lundt anywhere other than guard against the Browns. That’s how it’s been at training camp for a bit, too. Lundt, a 2025 sixth-round pick, didn’t enter the game until well after 2026 seventh-round pick Ar’maj Reed-Adams. Lundt is trending toward being on the wrong side of the bubble.P Tommy Doman Jr.After a strong training camp in which Tommy Doman Jr. appeared to be the favorite for the punting job, the Bills got their first look at the rookie in a game setting. Doman’s first punt was outstanding, hanging in the air for 4.51 seconds and getting a net yardage of 47. But the next two left the door open for his competition, veteran Mitch Wishnowsky. Doman had a 3.68-second punt that allowed a 17-yard return and only had a net of 25. Later, with 54 yards to work with and a chance to pin the Browns deep, he only kicked it 37 yards. Wishnowsky’s lone attempt had a 4.74-second hang time and a 58-yard net. Doman is still the favorite to win the #Puntapalooza, but the gap closed slightly Saturday.