Training Camp is HERE!
Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are no longer in Buffalo and that brings much opportunity for many new names in the wide receiver room. The departure of Mitch Morse also brings about a battle for a starting role on the offensive line. As these roster battles take place at training camp and in the preseason, it'll be important for you to know ALL players on the Bills' roster.
Even the team’s returners from a season ago bring about much conversation. Will Khalil Shakir step up? Is Dalton Kincaid primed for a breakout season? Is James Cook capable of taking yet another step?
Join us as we guide you through the team’s offensive roster with statistical tidbits and early predictions.
Enjoy.
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen: Allen had yet another MVP-level season just to be overshadowed by another player. Seriously, when will this guy get recognition for his talents? There’s not much to say for Josh ahead of 2024-2025, so I’ll leave you with my case for him being the MVP next season. Josh’s MVP case has always been downplayed by the supporting cast that he had. Diggs. Davis. Beasley. You name it, the media and opposing fan bases are always more impressed with another player who has less. Now losing his top two wide receivers from last year is what gives him the leg up in next year’s race. We can have the interception conversation if you want, but those are what come with Josh’s greatness, not to mention some fluke plays like tipped passes that should regress next season (we all can hope).
Mitch Trubisky: A fan favorite and a former Nickelodeon Valuable Player, it is a pleasure to have Trubisky back. He is an upgrade at backup quarterback over Kyle Allen and a dependable game manager god forbid Josh were to go down (say a prayer).
Shane Buechele: The 26-year-old practice squad quarterback returns to Buffalo for his second season. Before signing with the Bills last year Buechele backed up Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City. With a full camp and preseason slate with the Bills this year he could make a run for Trubisky’s backup job. Buechele was a gunslinger in college at SMU and through his 46 college appearances, he threw for 11,660 yards and 87 touchdowns.
Running Backs
James Cook: After taking a step forward last year and racking up a total of 1,567 scrimmage yards, James Cook will look to take an even bigger jump next season. The Bills ramped up their run game when Joe Brady took over last season, having the second-highest run rate in the league with the new coordinator at the helm. There are plenty of reasons to be critical of Cook last season. Dropped touchdowns and missed opportunities. I would expect him to work that out in his third year in the league. Despite the drops though, Cook had the fifth-highest passer rating when targeted (119.9) when targeted and the eighth-most yards per route run (1.38), ranking just a slot ahead of Christian McCaffery (1.36).
Ray Davis: The fourth-round pick out of Kentucky was one of my favorite picks the Bills made in the 2024 Draft. Davis had a difficult upbringing, making his path to the league a touching story. He also dealt with injuries during his sophomore and junior years at Kentucky, derailing momentum from an excellent freshman campaign at Temple. In his final college season, Davis collected 21 touchdowns and 1.452 scrimmage yards. He will battle early with Ty Johnson for snaps but eventually, he should end up being the energizing backup to James Cook. In my mind a very fun duo.
Ty Johnson: The former Jets running back burst onto the scene last year out of nowhere for Buffalo. After earning his share of touches, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry with a rushing success rate of 63.3%. Johnson also averaged 8.9 yards per reception on seven receptions. I believe he can resume his previous role as a valuable third-string back on both offense and as a special teams contributor.
Darrynton Evans: You may remember Evans from his amazing 35-yard touchdown run against the Bears in the preseason of last year. The absurd run was not enough to make the roster as he got cut and was later signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad. Evans is a strong practice squad candidate for the Bills with the guys ahead of him but with also no other names in the room.
Fullback
Reggie Gilliam: How could you not love Reggie? A disappointment that he did not get his yearly touchdown last season, so maybe he will try to get two this upcoming season. In all seriousness, Gilliam is a very underrated part of the team’s roster. Where he lacks yards and touches on the stat sheet he makes up for in special teams. Gilliam played 85% of the Bills special teams snaps in 2023-2024 and played over 75% in both seasons prior.
Wide Receiver
Khalil Shakir: I believe a lot is going to be expected of Khalil Shakir this season as he has quickly become a fan favorite and a reliable receiver for Allen. In his second season, he was one of the league’s most efficient receivers. Shakie led the NFL in true catch rate (86.7), proving to have some of the best hands in the league. The Boise State product also ranked first in the league in passer rating when targeted (141.5) and fourth in yards after the catch per reception (7.0). I am very excited to see what Joe Brady draws up for the third-year receiver. Shakir’s statistical ceiling is difficult to project, but based on having 611 receiving yards last regular season in a room with less opportunity, my best guess would be 850-1000 yards, with the potential to be Allen’s favorite target.
Keon Coleman: I will be honest and say leading up to the draft I was not a huge fan of Keon. In true Bills Mafia fashion, I have flipped. Maybe it was the impressive flashes of greatness at Florida State or his amazing personality at the podium, but Keon’s intangibles are legit.
I’ve always known his game speed, strength and frame are massive tools. Plugging him in this offense makes a lot of sense. You have tight ends like Kincaid and Knox over the middle who can find space. You have play-making receivers like Shakir and Samuel who can get open. You also have a running back who can be a game-changer if needed. Coleman’s size and hands outside give Allen a real target who can body any defensive back, a trait that was lacking in the room. Josh wanted Coleman and that’s enough for me. With the departure of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the rookie will look to earn a good amount of snaps and plenty of opportunities.
Curtis Samuel: Samuel signed a three-year/$24 million contract with the Bills this offseason. A surprising addition not many expected, the number may have shocked many fans. The contract itself seems daunting however there is a team option after two years for under $3.5 million in dead cap that makes this a slam-dunk addition. Samuel is a freak of an athlete and has been consistent when he is on the field. His best season was in 2020 in Carolina boosting over 1,000 scrimmage yards and his offensive coordinator that season was Joe Brady. Now returning to a familiar system, the veteran should have an immediate impact for this offense. Brady has also gone on the record to note that Samuel will be a versatile threat for the Bills, with the ability to catch the ball, but also to take handoffs as a runner, just like in 2020.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: MVS is another big framed, primarily outside wide receiver the Bills added. At 6’4” and slightly over 200 lbs, there is certainly a need and a roster spot on the team for the veteran. His stats have never been flashy, even though he has played with top QB talent in Rodgers and Mahomes. However, his ability to stretch the field is much needed in Buffalo. The veteran plays a similar style to Gabe Davis, who saw success with the Bills down the field but also uses long speed to expose the seams of zone defense with Allen’s rocket arm and precision passing. MVS will have to earn his roster spot, but if he shows up in Buffalo and provides Allen with what he did for Mahomes last season, he’ll be a lock for this roster.
Mack Hollins: An interesting addition by the Bills this offseason. The 31-year-old boasts great size and complementary speed. He was likely targeted by the Bills because of his ability to play special teams. He played around half of the special teams snaps for Philadelphia and Miami in previous seasons, also logging 37% of Atlanta’s special teams snaps last season. With the Raiders in 2022, he was much more of a weapon for a weaker offense, racking up 57 catches and 690 yards. Hollins’ ability to make the final roster likely depends on how far along the young wide receivers are, such as Justin Shorter and Tyrell Shavers who also can play special teams.
Chase Claypool: Claypool will be looking to get his career back on track in Buffalo. Since his excellent rookie season in Pittsburgh, which feels like forever ago, the receiver has fallen into a downward spiral with Chicago and Miami. Claypool does bring a skill set and a playstyle that the Bills need more of though. The veteran can play outside the numbers with a large frame and wide catch radius. Claypool has been one of the more interesting stories through OTA’s, as it was widely reported that he looked good in Buffalo. We will see if he can carry that momentum into training camp and make the roster.
Justin Shorter: Shorter was drafted by the Bills last year in the fifth round out of Florida University in 2023. He was graded as a later pick than where he was drafted, which means the Bills liked him enough to “reach” for him. His 6’4” and 230-pound physical frame makes him a monster of a wide receiver, but he also can play special teams. After spending most of last year on Injured Reserve he will try to make the 53-man roster as a depth piece while he still develops as a receiver at the next level.
Andy Isabella: Isabella was a guy on a lot of people’s radars last offseason around this time. All that came from last season was appearing in two games, returning one kick for 25 yards. Last year I did not think there was room for him on the roster, in a different way this year, I believe the same. The Bills already have Shakir and Samuel who play a similar game as roster locks. Isabella could impress again though and hang around on the practice squad, waiting for another opportunity at game action.
KJ Hamler: Hamler was the first move made by the Bills after the season ended when they signed him to a reserve/future contract. The former second-round pick out of Penn State is a speed demon but due to injuries and poor quarterback play, his career never panned out in Denver. This is a guy Joe Brady can get creative with.
Tyrell Shavers: Shavers was heavily on our radar last year. It is good to see him around still heading into his second training camp. Formerly one of the best gunners in college football, he can certainly make a case for a spot on the 53-man roster with special teams being so highly valued by Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott. Shavers also has shown promise as a receiver from what we’ve been able to see in last year’s preseason and training camp.
Xavier Johnson: Johnson is an undrafted free agent from this year’s draft class out of Ohio State. The former Buckeyes’ captain never stood out at any point at OSU, primarily being used as a returner and as a hybrid running back/wide receiver, struggling to create a true role in their offense. Johnson will likely try to fight for a practice squad spot, bringing special teams value.
Lawrence Keys III: Another undrafted free agent from this year’s class, Keys played at Tulane. The speedster finished his final season at 599 receiving yards at a surprising average of 18.2 yards per game. Keys’ speed is what will make him stand out at camp as he looks to secure a practice squad spot in Buffalo.
Bryan Thompson: The 2023 undrafted free agent spent last year on the Bills practice squad. Thompson comes from Arizona State prior to his NFL career where had 507 yards over 22 games in his final two seasons. Thompson looks to carve out a role on the team’s practice squad again next season.
Tight Ends
Dalton Kincaid: Already a fan favorite in Buffalo, it is exciting to see Kincaid get the ball and make plays after the catch. The young tight end is truly reminiscent of some of the league’s best tight ends. His ability to work over the middle of the field and find holes in zone coverage was impressive in his rookie season. Kincaid worked out of the slot on 60% of his snaps, the third-highest rate among tight ends in 2023-2024. When Kincaid was not finding holes and separating from defenders, he still produced, having the 11th-ranked contested catch rate (55.5%) among tight ends. The Utah product is primed to take another step next season. His upside for this year is immense and I am excited to see just how much he can contribute to the offense.
Dawson Knox: 2023-2024 was a tough year for Dawson Knox. A fan favorite before Kincaid arrived in Buffalo, it feels like every season fans are waiting for him to take another step. Granted, Knox has dealt with some serious obstacles, but this year it seems as if there are zero excuses. Knox’s role on this offense should be focused on redzone snaps and run blocking though. The Bills appear to be a more run-oriented team under Brady. Knox can be used to run 12 personnel, but it may be better to keep the offense more spread, especially in first and ten situations. Redzone looks are more efficient for Knox’s play style and he is always good for some touchdowns.
Quintin Morris: Another underappreciated player on the Bills’ roster, Morris got a decent amount of playing time last season while Knox was battling a thumb injury, making some memorable plays. Most notably, the young tight end had a great contested catch against the Giants to put the Bills ahead late, completing a beautiful play by Allen. Morris is also a massive special teams contributor, playing 82% of special teams snaps in 2023-2024 and 75% in 2022-2023. The 25-year-old looks to grow his game and remain the third tight end on the roster.
Tre’ McKitty: McKitty comes to Buffalo after three seasons with the Chargers looking to seriously threaten Morris’ roster spot. The veteran has appeared in 34 games thus far with 12 starts under his belt, having 117 yards on 16 receptions. Despite his limited production, McKitty is not a big special teams contributor, only playing 22% of Los Angeles’ special teams snaps last season. However, with the new kickoff rules, teams are likely looking to utilize more tight ends for kickoff returns, potentially making Buffalo keep a fourth tight end.
Offensive Line
Dion Dawkins: With every year that passes, Dion Dawkins continues to cement himself as a franchise cornerstone within the Sean McDermott era of the Buffalo Bills. Dawkins has been a starting caliber left tackle for seven seasons now, truly sitting among some of the league’s greats in recent seasons, being selected to three straight Pro Bowls. In 2023-2024, Dawkins ranked ninth in pass-blocking efficiency (97.3%) among offensive tackles who played 50% of the league-leading 909 pass-blocking snaps and fifth in sacks given up, allowing just two. Now 30 years old, Dawkins heads into next season looking to extend the prime years of his career. Luckily for him, offense tackle is one of the rare positions in the league that players can play at a high level well into their 30s.
Connor McGovern: In 2023-2024, McGovern supplied the Bills with something that the team had not seen since Josh Allen began his career in Buffalo: an elite pass-blocking left guard next to Dion Dawkins. Among offensive guards who played 50% of the league-leading 909 pass-blocking snaps, the veteran guard ranked sixth in pass-blocking efficiency (97.9%). However, McGovern’s run-blocking metrics are lacking. Among the same field of players, the veteran guard ranked 51st of 54 in PFF’s run-blocking grade. Surely an area the veteran could improve. However, with Mitch Morse being released and the Bills looking for a new starting center for the first time since 2019, McGovern might be the guy to step into that role. The team has publicly announced that McGovern might be that guy, moving from guard to center where then a new player would start next to Dawkins at guard. He won’t be given the spot, instead earned, as the team drafted Sedrick Van Pran Granger out of Georgia, a strong starter on the Bulldogs’ championship caliber program.
O’Cyrus Torrence: Brandon Beane has to be happy with this pick already. Torrence, the second-round selection out of Florida just a year ago, had a strong rookie campaign, making a massive impact on the Bills’ offensive line. The metrics from Torrence’s first season in the NFL are not going to wow you, but the guard proved he could provide starting-caliber play in an area that the Bills truly needed. The team has struggled to find starting-caliber guards and Torrence appears to be a long-term answer for Buffalo. Let’s see if he can kick it up a notch in his second season.
Spencer Brown: One of the most criticized players on the Bills roster before 2023-2024, Brown shut many of the haters up with a breakout season. The third-year player was by no means elite, but for the first time in his young career fans were given a reason to have hope. Brown supplied the Bills with starting-caliber tackle play. In his third season, the young tackle ranked 16th in PFF’s run-blocking grade (73.3) among tackles that played 50% of the league-leading 583 snaps. Brown also slotted in at 20th in pass-blocking efficiency among the same field of players, proving to be a force in both phases of the offense. With a repeat performance next season, fans can finally put the Spencer Brown hate behind them and the team can look towards an extension.
David Edwards: Edwards did not start a single game for the Bills last season, but when subbing in as a sixth offensive lineman in rushing packages, the team saw success. Versatility was the original reason the veteran was brought to Buffalo, being a solid depth lineman who could play both guard and tackle. With the Bills now needing a center and McGovern looking to take that spot, that could open up a starting guard role for the veteran in his second season. That won’t go without competition, but Edwards very well could be the week one starter at left guard.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger: A fifth-round pick out of Georgia, Sedrick Van Pran Granger could be the pick of the draft for Brando Beane. The 6’4” and 290-pound interior offensive lineman was a three-year starter for the Bulldogs, showing great qualities and metrics in college. Over three seasons in the SEC, playing against the best competition in college football, Granger was credited with allowing just one sack. Better yet, that sack was allowed in 2021, meaning the Bulldog let up no sacks his final two seasons while playing over 1,840 snaps. Granger’s run-blocking grades in both man and zone concepts also rank among the best in college football. The one area in which the young lineman can improve is true pass sets, which are snaps that are obvious passing downs. Granger very well could be the starting guard or starting center for the Bills on week one, but if not, Buffalo still has a young piece here that very well could be a franchise interior offensive lineman. Should we pump the brakes? Probably. I’ll leave you with this though, Brandon Beane has found a hidden gem in the fifth round once before: Wyatt Teller.
La’el Collins: A notable free agent signing, La’el Collins was an elite offensive lineman just a few seasons ago. The veteran tore both his MCL and ACL in 2022 though, holding him out through the entirety of the 2023 season. Now 30 years old, there are many questions about the veteran tackle’s future in the league. However, the Bills are not taking a big gamble with Collins, signing the veteran to a 1-year/$1.58M contract. So what could Buffalo have here? First off, Collins excels at playing tackle, but can also play guard. At guard, the veteran is a more than serviceable depth player, but his true elite seasons came at right tackle despite being on two teams in two different systems. I doubt he threatens Brown for the starting right tackle job, but assuming he can return to a shell of what he was just two seasons ago, Collins will provide the team with an experienced depth tackle who can also sub in at guard if needed. Also, if Edwards were to take that starting guard role, Collins very well could be the team’s next sixth offensive lineman used in certain rushing packages.
Will Clapp: A name in the running for the best on the team’s roster, Clapp comes to Buffalo following his first season in the NFL that he saw starting action consistently. The interior offensive lineman enters his seventh season in the league, but before 2023-2024, Clapp did not start more than three games in a season. In 11 starts with the Chargers last year, the veteran played 702 total snaps, allowing just one sack and having a pass-blocking efficiency grade of 97.1%. Clapp’s run-blocking grade did suffer though, ranking poorly among the league with a grade of 56.9. With the team having a void at center, bringing in a veteran depth piece like Clapp makes a ton of sense for Buffalo. Clapp could battle to start for that starting center role too, but he likely cracks the 53-man roster as an interior depth piece.
Tommy Doyle: I truly don’t know what to say about Tommy Doyle anymore. The 6’8” and 320-pound tackle was taken in the same draft as Spencer Brown with the idea that the two could be cornerstone franchise players on the offensive line. Unfortunately for Doyle, he’s struggled to stay healthy, now missing the entirety of the last two seasons, tearing his ACL and LCL. Doyle now sits on the Bills’ Physical Unable To Perform list yet again heading into training camp with a knee injury. You can’t help but feel awful for Doyle’s terrible injury luck. Hopefully, the young lineman can return to full health soon enough.
Tylan Grable: One of the most athletically gifted offensive linemen at last year’s combine, there’s a chance that Buffalo got a steal late in this year’s draft. The four-year starter at UCF is a massive human, standing at 6’7” and 290 pounds. At the combine, Grable had the first-ranked broad jump (9’9”), the second-highest vertical jump (36.5”) and the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.95). Grable may still have an uphill battle to make the team’s 53-man roster in his rookie season, but I doubt the Bills pass up the opportunity to at least place him on the practice squad with such size and athleticism.
Travis Clayton: One of the great stories from the NFL’s International Pathway Program, Clayton comes to Buffalo from Great Britain. Clayton joined the program looking to get an opportunity like so after showing his athleticism in rugby and boxing. The 6’7” and 302-pound man is an elite athlete for his size, showing off blazing speed with a 4.81 40-yard dash. For reference, the fastest 40-yard dash ever by an offensive lineman at the combine was 4.71 seconds. Since Clayton comes from the International Pathway Program he can be placed on the Bills practice squad but does not count against the team’s 16 slots for practice players, essentially giving the team an extra spot to develop Clayton.
Keaton Bills: Another great name…like actually. Bills was an undrafted free agent signing out of Utah this offseason where he amassed 36 starts at left guard. Bills was a two-time All-PAC 12 honorable mention on an offensive line that consistently ranked well among FBS football teams. Bills looks to carve out a depth role on the team’s 53-man roster but is also a strong practice squad candidate.
Alec Anderson: Now in Buffalo for two seasons, Anderson is looking to make a splash at this year’s training camp. Joining the team in 2022, the guard spent the entirety of his rookie regular season on the practice squad. At the beginning of January, he was elevated to the 53-man roster, only later to be placed on Injured Reserve two weeks later. Anderson was signed to a reserve/future contract and is now healthy enough to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster yet again. The guard originally played college football at UCLA.
Kevin Jarvis: Similar to Anderson, Jarvis spent the 2023-2024 season on the team’s practice squad. Jarvis has yet to appear in an NFL game, but with the opportunity in the Bills’ offensive line room this offseason there’s a realistic chance that Jarvis will carve out a role on the roster. The third-year player originally played college football at Michigan State.
Richard Gouraige: Gouraige turned some heads and gained supporters during training camp and preseason last year. The rookie ultimately landed on the practice squad where he remained for the entire season, but not to be forgotten. The young tackle was a teammate of O’Cyrus Torrences at Florida, bringing much excitement for the possibility of the two playing next to each other in the NFL. Gouraige will fight for a spot on the Bills roster again this season, this time with more competition between Lae’l Collins, Tylan Grable and possibly a healthy Tommy Doyle.
Gunner Britton: Britton closes out of the offensive line room at the moment being another undrafted free agent battling for a spot on the team’s roster. One thing working in Britton’s favor is his versatility. After transferring to Auburn for the final season of his college career, the Tiger played three different positions on the offensive line. It’s well known that Brandon Beane values versatile offensive linemen, a good sign for the young lineman.
Thank you for reading!
Looking to learn more about the Bills roster? Check out our Defensive Roster Preview!
Go Bills!
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