Buffalo Bills

Beane was in the Panthers' front office when Carolina drafted Samuel in 2017, while Brady served as the versatile wideout's offensive coordinator during his career-best 2020 season. That campaign included a career-high 41 rush attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Samuel, who'll help fill the void created by the departures of Gabe Davis and Trent Sherfield in free agency.

Miller posted three sacks in Buffalo's first four games and is the league's active leader with 126.5 sacks. He's eligible to return in Week 9 against the Dolphins.

Shakir's first catch against Baltimore was the 28th consecutive regular-season target that he caught, dating back to last season. He surpassed Michael Thomas' mark of 27 consecutive caught targets in 2018. Shakir stretched the streak up to 30 before having it snapped later in the game.

The comments in question came during Allen's postgame press conference Monday following the Bills' win over the Jaguars, when he said that he was happy to be part of an offense where "you got a bunch of guys that don't care about the stats, they don't care about the touchdowns." The assumption by many was that Allen was taking an indirect shot at former teammate Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Texans this offseason, but Allen shot down that notion Wednesday. He added that he "loved everybody that I've played with" and that he wasn't trying to "tear down anybody."

It was originally reported that Bernard would miss the game, but now he may suit up. If he ends up sitting out, however, that would leave the Bills without their top two linebackers with Matt Milano on IR. Baylon Spector recorded 10 tackles against the Dolphins in Week 2 and six last week against Jacksonville.

Ja'Marcus Ingram took advantage of more opportunity due to Johnson's absence in Week 2 against Miami and responded with two interceptions of Tua Tagovailoa, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Ingram then added a sack, tackle for loss and pass defensed last week against Jacksonville.

Johnson left Sunday's win over Arizona early and was quickly ruled out for Week 2, as Buffalo will face Miami on a short week Thursday. Coach Sean McDermott did not rule out a potential stint on injured reserve, however. Johnson is one of the better slot corners in the league and will leave a significant hole in the Bills' secondary as they take on an explosive Miami passing attack.

After leaping into the end zone for a rushing touchdown, Allen landed awkwardly on his left hand and wrist. He finished the game with a heavy wrap on the hand but suffered no serious injury.

Keon Coleman led the way with 72.4 percent of snaps, followed by Hollins, then Khalil Shakir at 53.4 percent, then a substantial drop to Curtis Samuel at 27.6 percent and Marquez Valdes-Scantling at 19.0 percent. Hollins made the most of his opportunities, scoring an 11-yard touchdown on one of his two receptions. If this usage pattern holds moving forward, Hollins could be primed for a prominent role in Buffalo's new-look receiving corps in the post-Stefon Diggs era.

Johnson and Davis split backup duties behind James Cook in the season opener, but if Johnson's unable to make a quick recovery on a short week, Davis could see a few extra touches in his second NFL game against the Dolphins. Buffalo racked up 33 rushing plays against Arizona, but only three of those attempts went to Davis.

Hamlin will begin the season with the first-team defense following the offseason departures of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Hamlin was cleared ahead of the 2023 season and went on to appear in five games as a reserve and special teams contributor. He notably started 13 of 15 games as a second-year player in 2022 before suffering his on-field medical emergency.

After the offseason departures of both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Graziano projects the Buffalo offense to run through tight end Dalton Kincaid and running back James Cook. However, he expects Shakir's rapport with Josh Allen to give him an advantage over both Curtis Samuel and rookie Keon Coleman, who need to get acclimated to a new offense. Shakir already made a significant jump in his second year as a pro, going from 161 receiving yards to 611, and it's possible he will take another step forward in 2024.

The kicker missed a 44-yard kick in the divisional round last season that would have tied the game against Kansas City, ending the Bills' season, and Bass has had an erratic training camp and preseason as well. Buffalo still trusts that he will figure things out, however. "Not at this point," general manager Brandon Beane said last week when asked if the Bills intended to stash a kick on their practice squad as insurance, or competition, for Bass. "I get the question, I do. I understand. If he had a short history here, probably would have." The 27-year-old has been with Buffalo since 2020, and cutting him would incur dead-cap penalties in both 2024 and 2025.

After wide receiver K.J. Hamler returned punts for the Bills in the preseason opener against the Bears, Hardy got his chance in the role Saturday and looked effective, nearly breaking off a couple of long returns. Whichever one of Hardy or Hamler returns punts in the preseason finale against the Panthers will presumably be the favorite to begin the regular season as Buffalo's primary punt returner, but Hardy is likely to make the 53-man roster as a depth cornerback even if the 2024 sixth-round draft pick loses this position battle on special teams.

Trubisky also threw an ugly interception prior to getting hurt, but the former Bears quarterback has the clear edge over DiNucci in the battle for the backup spot if both are healthy. Should Trubisky's injury sideline him for the start of the regular season, that would likely be the ticket to a spot on the 53-man roster for DiNucci, who hasn't seen regular-season action since making one start for the Cowboys in 2020.

Milano will reportedly undergo surgery as soon as possible in order to have a chance to return late in the 2024 regular season. The talented linebacker was in the midst of a comeback from a fractured leg that he'd suffered in Week 5 of the 2023 campaign against the Jaguars, an injury that proved to be of the season-ending variety.

It's the second straight year the Bills will be without Milano for an extended period, as he didn't play after fracturing his right leg in Week 5 of last season. Terrel Bernard had a monster IDP season with Milano out for much of 2023, as he compiled 143 total tackles, 6 1/2 sacks and three interceptions.

After signing with the Bills as an undrafted free agent in May of 2023, Shavers spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad. He caught the attention of his teammates and coaches during training camp, with head coach Sean McDermott saying in late July that he has "a lot of respect and appreciation" for Shavers' consistency during practice, per Dorian Alerte of the Bills' official site. Shavers registered one catch on two targets for 10 yards in Buffalo's 33-6 preseason loss to Chicago on Saturday.

Shakir is projected to head up the wide receiver depth chart for the Bills to open the regular season, and with plenty of new faces overall on offense, head coach Sean McDermott will not forgo any opportunities to get them live game reps. Shakir naturally has already established chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen, who'll start Saturday's game, from their last two seasons working together, but this will be the third-year wideout's first foray into working as the de facto top target at the position after previously playing behind the departed Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

The rookie second-round pick out of Florida State is expected to serve as the Bills' No. 2 receiver right from the onset of his career, and head coach Sean McDermott won't waste any time getting Coleman live game reps with his new quarterback. McDermott emphasized the importance of getting his starters some live game reps right out of the gate in preseason when discussing the matter Thursday, and the fact the offensive unit is also learning a scheme that has undergone some changes plays into the decision as well.

Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Thursday that Allen will play about a quarter, emphasizing the importance of getting his projected starters some game reps early. The news signifies Allen will have a chance to face off against first overall pick Caleb Williams, who is projected to make his pro debut in the contest.

The veteran wideout was brought in to fill a hole in the wideout group after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, and Valdes-Scantling's ability to stretch the field was thought to be a good fit as a target for Josh Allen's big arm. Instead, Valdes-Scantling has been nearly invisible in camp, falling to the second-team offense at times and getting outplayed by the likes of second-year undrafted player Tyrell Shavers. The Bills would have to take a $2.25 million dead cap hit if they released Valdes-Scantling, but the team hasn't hesitated to swallow a cap hit and cut an underperforming veteran in the past.

Davis has handled the primary backup duties during training camp while Ty Johnson has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury. However, Buscaglia notes that Davis thrives on contact and interior rushing, and with live tackling sessions far and few between during training camp, the rookie fourth-round pick won't be able to demonstrate his true rushing ability until preseason games. If Davis can show out in the preseason, he could carve a role for himself in goal-line and short-yardage situations while serving as the backup running back to Cook.

Allen had a strong showing over the first two practices, when drills were focused on red-zone and down-and-distance situations. On practice Friday, however, the first-team offense struggled in its three drives, all of which ended in interceptions and a cancellation of the fourth drive. Without veterans Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Allen and his new-look pass-catching corps of Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman will experience plenty of growing pains during training camp.

Coleman was taken with the 33rd overall pick out of Florida State by the Bills as part of the offseason effort to refurbish a receiver corps that lost both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Brooks notes the fact Josh Allen heavily endorsed the selection of Coleman, and the receiver's impressive size, athleticism and leaping ability could make him a sneaky candidate to generate the kind of numbers that could secure him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors over several other more publicized candidates.

After Gabe Davis departed for Jacksonville in free agency and Stefon Diggs was traded to Houston, Buffalo attempted to fill the void at wide receiver by signing veterans Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling and drafting Keon Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. While Diggs in particular was a vocal leader during his four seasons with the Bills, Dawkins relays in the interview that Allen has been more verbal during offseason practices to bring the incoming skill position players up to speed with the offense. While Samuel, Valdes-Scantling and Coleman get acclimated, Allen figures to lean on returning faces like Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid and James Cook early in the regular season.

Allen is the focal point of the offense, but Bernard is the MVP of Buffalo's defense. The 2022 third-round draft pick is coming off a breakout sophomore regular season in which he posted a team-high 143 tackles to go with 6.5 sacks and three interceptions. Bernard missed Buffalo's playoff loss to Kansas City due to an ankle injury, so keeping the linebacker healthy will be crucial for Buffalo's Super Bowl aspirations.

The right tackle is coming off a breakout 2023 campaign, and Brown is heading into the final year of his rookie contract after being a third-round pick in 2021. Buffalo had to make some tough cap decisions this spring after absorbing a lot of dead money by trading Stefon Diggs to Houston, but finding room to lock up Brown ahead of free agency would likely save the Bills money in the long run.

With the Bills sending All-Pro pass catcher Stefon Diggs to the Texans in the offseason, Buffalo's wide receiver corps is headlined by Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir and 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman. Kincaid began 2023 as the backup tight end to Dawson Knox, but the former blossomed in the second half of the season and became a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen. Kincaid had 73 catches for 673 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 during the regular season, and the second-year tight end out of Utah should draw plenty of attention from opposing defenses, particularly in the red zone with his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame.

Orr believes that the Bills not replacing Stefon Diggs with a true No. 1 wideout in the offseason was due, in part, to the production of Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid last year. Buffalo drafted Keon Coleman in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft and added veteran Curtis Samuel in free agency, but Shakir should carve out a significant role in the offense out of the slot position. In 2023, Shakir caught 86.7 percent of his targets for 611 receiving yards in the regular season, and in two playoff games he caught 11 passes on 13 targets for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

Edholm makes an interesting case for Allen's candidacy, which, on some level, could initially be a bit counterintuitive due to the losses at wide receiver the Bills sustained this offseason. Gone are both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, but Edholm makes the case that it's because of those departures that Allen will be more important than ever to his team. While Buffalo did reload to an extent by adding Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and first-round pick Keon Coleman this offseason, Allen's playmaking ability may be more important than ever and therefore lead to some standout individual numbers.

Edwards signed a one-year contract with the Bills in hopes of returning to a starting role after playing a part-time role in Kansas City's championship-winning secondary last season. Bishop is challenging Edwards for the free safety spot next to starting strong safety Taylor Rapp, and Edwards' bid to impress his new team's coaching staff has been hampered by a shoulder injury, which kept the veteran safety out of OTAs and limited his participation during minicamp.

Buffalo invested the 60th overall pick in April's draft on the Utah product, who finished his college career with 198 tackles, including 21.5 for loss and 7.5 sacks, along with three interceptions, four fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Reuter points out the offseason departure of Jordan Poyer and potential retirement of Micah Hyde open the door for Bishop to begin making an impact at the pro level immediately, and he feels the rookie's above-average tackling, athleticism, football IQ and blitzing acumen will all facilitate that development.

The veteran speedster has largely profiled as a deep threat throughout his career, but he's coming off a particularly difficult 2023 in Kansas City, where he posted a modest 21-315-1 line during 16 regular-season games. However, Valdes-Scantling, who's averaged 17.1 yards per reception over his six-year career, tallied seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown over the Chiefs' final three postseason contests and will be paired with another strong-armed, playmaking quarterback in Josh Allen in his new Buffalo digs.

Kincaid is undoubtedly poised for more opportunity than the solid amount he already saw as a rookie in 2023, as the offseason departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis should open up plenty of targets. The second-year tight end already offered a glimpse of his upside last season, tallying 73 receptions for 673 yards and two touchdowns across 16 regular-season games before adding a combined 8-104-1 line over two postseason contests.

In identifying potential breakout candidates on offense for the coming season, Brooks makes a strong case for Shakir, who could operate as the de facto No. 1 receiver in the Bills' air attack, at least early in the season. Shakir, who sustained a lower-body injury during Buffalo's minicamp but is expected to be healthy for training camp, already flashed upside by posting a 39-611-2 line in 2023, and there are plenty of targets to be absorbed in the team's offense now that both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are off the roster.

This isn't the first time Allen has revamped his delivery, as he said that he barely recognizes himself when he watches tape of his college throws at Wyoming. The star quarterback is unlikely to face much of an adjustment period, as he describes this latest change as "just making sure I'm crossing the T's and dotting the I's." Allen is hoping the improved efficiency in his motion will help him cut down on interceptions after he threw a career-high 18 in 2023.

The veteran linebacker saw his 2023 campaign end in Week 5 due to a fractured right leg. Bills coach Sean McDermott said during last week's OTAs that Milano was on schedule in his recovery, but that it would be "closer to training camp until we see him out there." Milano recorded 99 tackles and a career-high 11 passes defended over 15 regular-season games in 2022.

Claypool signed with the Bills on a one-year, $1.35 million contract May 3, which marked the fourth team he's been with over the past two years. He spent the second half of 2023 with the Dolphins, and he played 102 snaps on special teams, recording five tackles. Despite the fall from where he was in his first two seasons in Pittsburgh, Claypool noted Tuesday that his time in Miami "made me realize my love for the game...when I did get the opportunity out there, I loved it."

Patra notes Miller is no lock to make the final roster even with $8.5 million guaranteed to him on the team books, considering he didn't record a sack over 12 regular-season games last season. The veteran pass rusher also hasn't earned a Pro Bowl nod since 2019, and although his 2022 knee injury could have still been affecting him last season, the fact Miller is 35 years old may make it difficult for him to bounce back to his once-elite form.

Allen noted to NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero in a recent appearance that Coleman's "play style is what we needed in our offense" and added the consensus he got on the rookie from team brass is that he's not afraid to be a physical receiver. Coleman brings formidable size at 6-foot-3, 213 pounds, and he leveraged that frame with the Seminoles for 11 touchdown grabs in 2023.

Allen went into the offseason hoping for a big-bodied receiver, and with the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, there was certainly room on the depth chart. The additions of veterans Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel help, but Allen noted on an appearance on NFL Network Insiders that he felt Coleman's "play style is what we needed in our offense."

Buffalo drafted Keon Coleman with the 33rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and also bolstered its wide receiver room by taking fliers on numerous veterans, including Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Chase Claypool and Mack Hollins. Nonetheless, Shakir is poised to emerge as a primary weapon for Josh Allen after the Bills traded away Stefon Diggs. Shakir showed dramatic improvement with 611 receiving yards in 2023 after a 161-yard rookie season in 2022, and he's in position to take another substantial step forward in 2024.

Shook has Allen behind Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, C.J. Stroud and Tua Tagovailoa. Allen has accounted for between 42 and 45 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in each of the past four seasons, but he hasn't won MVP or played in a Super Bowl. Shook believes a difficult schedule coupled with the departure of top wide receiver Stefon Diggs will lead to another non-MVP season for Allen.

Though he ultimately landed with the Bills, Valdes-Scantling also received interest from both the Chargers and Saints. The veteran projects to compete for snaps in a Buffalo wide receiver corps that lacks established options at the top of the depth chart after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.

After trading four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs to Houston and losing Gave Davis to the Jaguars in free agency, Buffalo used its first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft to select Coleman in the second round, 33rd overall. Coleman has already generated buzz among Bills fans with his comments during his pre-draft interview and introductory press conference, and the Florida State product's 6-foot-3, 213-pound frame and big-catch ability will make him a go-to target for quarterback Josh Allen. With Diggs and Davis gone, Coleman is set to be a top playmaker in the Bills' offense alongside running back James Cook and pass catchers Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel and Dalton Kincaid.

The Bills selected Davis in the fourth round, and at 5-foot-8 and 211 pounds, his calling card is power. He should immediately have the chance to serve as a complement to James Cook in the backfield, though his ability to deliver fantasy value will come down to whether he is able to wrestle some rushing touchdowns away from Josh Allen near the goal line.

The Bills seem like a natural landing spot for the physically gifted but underachieving receiver, whose career is in need of a reset after a significant downturn over the last pair of campaigns. Claypool looked like a rising star after posting a combined 121-1,733-11 line in his first two seasons with the Steelers, so if he can rediscover something close to that form, he should have ample opportunity in a Bills receiver room that is being completely revamped this offseason.

The Bills lost two of their top three pass catchers this offseason in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. They made a step toward replenishing the depth chart by selecting Coleman with the 33rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he'll immediately take on a prominent role in the offense. While his athletic testing was underwhelming, Coleman was very productive in his collegiate career at both Michigan State and Florida State, tallying 108 receptions, 1,456 yards and 18 touchdowns combined across his last two seasons.

The 5-foot-8, 211-pound Davis has the build of a power runner, while the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook relies primarily on his quickness to elude defenders. Cook rushed 237 times for 1,122 yards in 2023 but scored only two rushing touchdowns, struggling to gain tough yards by the goal line. The addition of Davis, who scored 14 rushing touchdowns for Kentucky in 2023, could further complicate Cook's path to goal-line carries in a Buffalo offense that's already heavily reliant on both Josh Allen's arm and the quarterback's legs in the red zone.

Conventional wisdom dictates the current top wideout duo of Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel along with tight end Dalton Kincaid will be the primary beneficiaries of Diggs' exit, but there's a case to be made for Hollins also being positively impacted. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Hollins is a formidable short-to-mid-range presence that's appreciably stouter than Diggs, who stands 6-foot and plays under 200 pounds. Nevertheless, Diggs averaged 9.3 yards per target or less during his four Bills campaigns while building a reputation for making tough catches in tight quarters. Hollins, who drew 94 targets in Las Vegas just two seasons ago and has often run a similar route tree, could be a good candidate to inherit at least part of Diggs' former role in the offense.

The talented tight end already had an encouraging prospectus for next season, given the fact he'll once again play in a Josh Allen-helmed offense and that he already produced a 73-673-2 line on 91 targets across 16 games as a rookie in 2023. With Diggs and his 160 targets now in Houston -- and Gabe Davis also having departed in free agency to Jacksonville -- Kincaid should have a very good chance of logging triple-digit looks in 2024.

Samuel joined the Bills on a three-year, $24 million contract on March 14 after spending the last three seasons with the Commanders, and he quickly finds himself back in a No. 2 role for the time being. Samuel cleared 60 receptions and 90 targets in each of the last two seasons in Washington, and he should be in position for another prominent role in 2024 even after Buffalo inevitably adds further help at the position through free agency, the draft, or both.

Diggs helped Allen take the next step from promising prospect to perennial MVP candidate, as Allen averaged only 15 passing touchdowns in two seasons without Diggs before bumping that average up to 34.3 in four seasons with Diggs. While Allen is probably too far along at this point to regress to the mediocre passer he was in his first two years, a decline in passing production is likely in the cards in 2024 if Buffalo doesn't add to its depleted wide receiver room beyond the recent signings of depth pieces Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins. In addition to trading Diggs, the Bills let Gabe Davis walk in free agency.

Shakir outproduced Diggs over the final 10 games of the 2023 season, racking up 462 receiving yards on 38 targets over that span to Diggs' 422 yards on 80 targets. With Diggs in Houston and Gabe Davis having signed with Jacksonville as a free agent, Shakir is set to open his third NFL season as the top wide receiver for quarterback Josh Allen, above newcomers Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins. Buffalo could still add to its wide receiver room via free agency, the draft or another trade.

Beane was in the Panthers' front office when Carolina drafted Samuel in 2017, while Brady served as the versatile wideout's offensive coordinator during his career-best 2020 season. That campaign included a career-high 41 rush attempts for 200 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for Samuel, who'll help fill the void created by the departures of Gabe Davis and Trent Sherfield in free agency.