Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell was one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football in 2025, recording 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games at the University of Connecticut. After being drafted in the fourth round this past April by Buffalo, Bell has a chance to emerge as an immediate contributor in the NFL. The Bills added veteran wideout DJ Moore over the offseason to a wide receiver corps that also features Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and Keon Coleman. However, Buffalo has been searching for high-impact wide receiver talent for the last several seasons. If Bell proves that he can be a difference-maker with a strong showing this summer, the Bills' incumbent wide receiver options will not hold him back from seeing the field. As the WR106 by current redraft ADP, Bell is a late-round sleeper for fantasy managers to target entering 2026
The Buffalo Bills are under a lot of scrutiny to perform and finally get to (and hopefully win) a Super Bowl during Joe Brady’s first season as head coach after taking over for the fired Sean McDermott. One of the Bills under the most pressure to perform this year is third-year wide receiver Keon Coleman, who has shown flashes of his potential since being drafted with the first pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by hearing from Coleman on why he is facing a “make or break” year with the Bills, and what steps Coleman is taking to shake off his issues and validate Buffalo taking him as the N0. 33 overall pick. Check out the stories about how Coleman knows he must perform on the field this year, and then let us know in the comments section how much confidence you have in Coleman to fulfill his potential. Since entering the league out of Florida State, Coleman has faced plenty of criticism during for his effort and for his maturity, being benched twice during his rookie season and once last year for being tardy. While he hasn’t directly come out and said it, with his comments made after firing Sean McDermott, it’s certainly fair to question whether owner Terry Pegula believes that Buffalo squandered its high draft pick on Coleman in 2024. Coleman’s first two seasons in the NFL have been a roller coaster, as he has recorded 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns in 26 regular-season games with five catches for 68 yards and one touchdown in five playoff games. In Buffalo’s epic, come-from-behind win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1, Coleman dazzled with eight catches for 112 yards and a TD…then didn’t surpass 50 receiving yards in a game the rest of the year. Coleman for his part vows the maturity and tardiness issues are a thing of the past, and he has been working with former Bill Stevie Johnson on improving his route-running and making himself into a reliable target for Josh Allen . “It’s time to put it all together,” Coleman said . “[Outside comments] I don’t really care to hear them. It’s time for me to just put it out there on the field.” Coleman said that instead of feeling like he’s competing for a spot on the 53-man roster and playing time, he understands that his “job is solely up to me.” For his part, Brady told ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg that Buffalo’s embattled wideout has enjoyed an “outstanding offseason” so far. “[Coleman’s] in a really good place and that’s nothing different than he’s had in the past,” Joe Brady said during Buffalo’s mandatory minicamp in June. “…You feel him coming off the football, you feel the stride, you feel his size … It’s the consistency and the routine and everything he’s doing, but handling everything like a pro … And a guy like Keon, he’s positioned himself in a great place and just got to continue to build on that.” How Bills WR Keon Coleman is preparing for his ‘make-or-break’ season – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog Can Keon Coleman take advantage of clean slate with Bills? We’re about to find out – Buffalo News (subscription required) Keon Coleman aware Year 3 is ‘make or break’ for his opportunity with the Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills WR Coleman calls this year ‘make or break’ – ESPN.com Buffalo Bills blog Keon Coleman is trying to move past criticism as roster pressure builds – Democrat & Chronicle Keon Coleman “Time To Put It All Together” – BuffaloBills.com Bills WR Keon Coleman describes 2026 season as ‘make or break’ for his future in Buffalo – NFL.com Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman Receives Brutal 2026 Outlook – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Examining Buffalo’s inexperienced depth at offensive tackle behind starters Spencer Brown (pictured below) and Dion Dawkins . Plus, sizing up the competition to win the left guard job; a slimmed-down Dawkins will be protecting Josh Allen’s blindside; how new wide receiver DJ Moore is being counted on to fill an important role on offense;
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A meaningless game at the end of the regular season appears to have acted as a showcase spot for a now second-year receiver. The Bills claimed Quentin Skinner off waivers, the team announced, after the Jets released the 2025 undrafted pass catcher from Kansas. The Bills released receiver Deven Thompkins in a corresponding move. Skinner, 24, was a three-year starter for Kansas after walking on and put up decent numbers for the Jayhawks, posting 1,584 yards and 11 touchdowns over three seasons. He also led the Big 12 in yards per catch in 2024. He has just one official catch for 10 yards in his NFL career, a ball he caught in the last game of the season against the Bills, thrown by Brady Cook . He also caught a two-point conversion in that game. Skinner, who was released for the second time this offseason by the Jets on Monday, stands at 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds and runs a 4.52 40-yard dash. The Bills are remaking their receiver room this offseason after trading with the Bears for DJ Moore . The veteran now tops the depth chart for a position that was a weakness for Buffalo last season. Keon Coleman , who was drafted at the top of the second round in the 2024 NFL Draft, has been a disappointment to this point. It is unclear whether Coleman will even start this year, as Moore will start outside, with Khalil Shakir expected to be the slot receiver and Joshua Palmer projected to be the other outside wideout. Skinner will likely be in a fight just to make the Bills roster. The Jets roster includes star Garrett Wilson , Adonai Mitchell and rookie newcomer Omar Cooper Jr. as targets for returning quarterback Geno Smith . The Jets also have rookie Kenyon Sadiq listed as their starting tight end on their latest projected depth chart. Josh Allen and the Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East, and the Patriots are coming off a Super Bowl appearance and are expected to be formidable again
Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is well aware that he's been the subject of much criticism from fans and the media. Coleman was even the subject of some offseason debate about whether ex-coach Sean McDermott deserved blame for wanting to draft him. But Coleman says the criticism doesn't matter to him, because it doesn't come from anyone who's on the field with him. " None of them going to come lace them up and try to stand in front of me," Coleman said, via ESPN. "People are going to say what they want to say. At the end of the day, my job is to come out here, put my cleats on, strap them up and prove my worth here." Through two seasons, Coleman's production -- 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns -- hasn't been what the Bills were hoping for when they selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Coleman sees that changing this year. "It's time to put it all together," Coleman said. "[Outside comments] I don't really care to hear them. It's time for me to just put it out there on the field."
Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman is well aware that he’s been the subject of much criticism from fans and the media. Coleman was even the subject of some offseason debate about whether ex-coach Sean McDermott deserved blame for wanting to draft him. But Coleman says the criticism doesn’t matter to him, because it doesn’t come from anyone who’s on the field with him. “ None of them going to come lace them up and try to stand in front of me,” Coleman said, via ESPN. “People are going to say what they want to say. At the end of the day, my job is to come out here, put my cleats on, strap them up and prove my worth here.” Through two seasons, Coleman’s production -- 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns -- hasn’t been what the Bills were hoping for when they selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Coleman sees that changing this year. “It’s time to put it all together,” Coleman said. "[Outside comments] I don’t really care to hear them. It’s time for me to just put it out there on the field.”
Last year, with Joe Brady as offensive coordinator, the Buffalo Bills once again featured one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. Josh Allen directed a Buffalo offense that ranked fourth in points scored per game (28.3) and fourth in total offense (376.3 yards/game), and boasted James Cook and the league’s best rushing attack (2,714 yards with 30 rushing touchdowns). This offseason, Brady was promoted to head coach for the first time in his coaching career, and he will continue to call the plays on offense for a team that once again has Super Bowl aspirations. Bills fans are wondering what changes could be in store for the offense this year, and today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining how Buffalo’s offense could differ from the 2025 version. One of the staples of Sean McDermott’s Bills during the 2025 season was running the ball on first down. No team ran the ball more on first down than Buffalo, which, led by James Cook, posted 38 carries of 10-plus yards on first down last season. Cook would go on to claim the league’s rushing title (rushing 309 times for 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season) and the Bills finished second in the league in first-down rushing success rate. The Bills once again will rely on Cook to power their rushing attack, but their offensive line is undergoing some changes, with left guard David Edwards leaving for the New Orleans Saints via free agency and either Alec Anderson or Austin Corbett taking over at left guard. Brandon Beane also went out and acquired veteran wide receiver DJ Moore and drafted wideout Skyler Bell to give Allen more offensive weapons to go with Khalil Shakir , Dalton Kincaid , Joshua Palmer , Keon Coleman . With Brady in charge, will the Bills continue to run the ball as much on first down, or will Brady let Josh Allen open up the attack and throw the ball more in early-down situations? We discuss what Joe Brady’s offense could look like in his first season as head coach, including whether the Bills might utilize Cook more as a pass catcher; projecting Moore’s ceiling in the offense; discussing what role the fullback could play; and more! How will the Bills’ offense change with Joe Brady as head coach? We took a long look – Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills big-picture questions: Does Buffalo have enough to reach new heights in 2026? – The Athletic (subscription required) Bills’ Offense Could Feature Distinct James Cook Change Under Joe Brady – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills ‘Greatness Expected’ of Bills’ Joe Brady in Pressure-Packed First Year as Buffalo Head Coach – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Reunited with Joe Brady, what’s DJ Moore’s ceiling in the Buffalo Bills’ offense? – Buffalo News (subscription required) What’s the role of a fullback in Joe Brady’s Bills offense? – Buffalo News (subscription required) Questions Remain Whether Renewed Brady-Allen Connection Can Keep Bills From Crashing – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Examining whether linebacker Dorian Williams is ready to take on a larger role in Jim Leonhard ’s defensive scheme. Plus, ESPN explains why Josh Allen’s supporting cast of offensive playmakers ranked among the worst in the NFL; left tackle Dion Dawkins falls outside the top 10 in ESPN’s rankings of the best offensive tackles; and more! Is Dorian Williams ready to take on an expanded role in Bills’ new defense? – Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills offensive playmakers rank near bottom of NFL in ESPN rankings – Democrat & Chronicle Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL offensive tackles for 2026 – ESPN.com Bills’ Dion Dawkins Just Misses ESPN’s Top NFL Offensive Tackle Rankings – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills’ Elite Strength at Critical Position Allows Josh Allen to Thrive – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Bills finish installing giant bison statues at new Highmark Stadium – Democrat & Chronicle Realistic worst and best-case scenarios for the 2026 Bills? – Buffal
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Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman believes he’s facing a “ make or break ” 2026 season and his preparation for it has included work with former Bills star Stevie Johnson. Johnson reached out to Coleman after the end of a disappointing 2025 season for the 2024 second-round pick. Coleman was benched at points for disciplinary reasons and his failure to blossom was singled out by team owner Terry Pegula at a press conference that followed Sean McDermott’s firing. Johnson told One Bills Drive that Coleman has been “the opposite” of what he expected before meeting him and called the wideout “a masterful student” who is working on understanding how to carry himself professionally as well as how to give quarterback Josh Allen exactly what he needs on a weekly basis. “He can be the best ,” Johnson said. “He can be considered one of the best because he has every tool. He’s got the height, he’s got the size, he’s got the speed. He’s got it so much to the point where people kind of overlook it now. They’ve seen all of the great traits. They just want to see it always on Sunday. And that’s pretty much what we worked on. How to make it show on Sunday.” Johnson said that Coleman being a strong student gives him confidence that he will “put all of his tools together each week and make it happen” and added that the wideout showed he’s “mature” by refraining from any angry responses to criticism last year. The Bills have expressed similar confidence in Coleman and the team’s offense would welcome that bet paying off
Stephen Gosnell, a 24-year-old wide receiver, signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2025. He spent last season on the practice squad after being waived in preseason and has a reserve/future contract for 2026. Gosnell is competing for a roster spot among a crowded group of 14 wide receivers
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell released his annual ranking of NFL offensive playmaker groups…but it is important to understand what he is actually ranking before anyone starts throwing things at their screen. This is not a ranking of the best offenses in football. Barnwell is looking strictly at each team’s running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. His question is basically this: If every team had the same quarterback, same offensive line, same play caller, same injury luck (or bad luck), and same setup around them, which group of playmakers would be the best? That matters a lot when talking about the Buffalo Bills . Because Barnwell has the Bills ranked at No. 29 out of 32 teams. Only the Cleveland Browns , New York Giants , and Miami Dolphins finished behind Buffalo. That is a pretty rough spot for a team that still has Super Bowl expectations, but it also says a lot about how much Josh Allen changes the way we view the roster. This ranking removes Allen from the equation. It removes Joe Brady. It removes the offensive line. Once all of that is stripped away, Barnwell clearly does not love what Buffalo has around him. He does give James Cook III credit, and rightfully so. Cook has become one of the best running backs in football. The concern with Cook is the ball security. Barnwell noted that Cook had six fumbles last season, plus another in the playoff loss to the Denver Broncos . That is not a small issue, especially for a back who touches the ball as often as Cook does. After Cook, the questions start piling up. The Bills added DJ Moore this offseason, but Barnwell is not sold that Moore is still a true difference-maker as he gets closer to 30. Khalil Shakir has settled in as a reliable slot receiver. Dalton Kincaid made the Pro Bowl and was more efficient last season, but he still has not fully become a high-volume answer many hoped he would be, and recently health and durability concerns have become more loud. Keon Coleman remains a huge question mark, and even though it might not be fair to say with such a small dataset but Joshua Palmer may have gotten worse after joining the Bills. And Skyler Bell will remain an unknown until we see him in action. Interestingly, Barnwell had the Bills at No. 28 before the 2025 campaign and No. 24 in 2024. That leads to the same question Bills fans have been asking for a while now. When Allen needs someone to get open on the biggest play of the game, who is the obvious answer? That is where this ranking stings. For comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs came in at No. 20, even after a disappointing season from their wide receivers. Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy both come with questions, and Travis Kelce is no longer the automatic TE1 option he once was, but the addition of Kenneth Walker III gives Kansas City more explosiveness in the backfield. The Baltimore Ravens landed at number 16 with Derrick Henry , Zay Flowers , and Mark Andrews still leading the way. Barnwell pointed out some concerns there too, especially with Henry’s age, fumbling issues, and Andrews’ decline in production, but Baltimore still sits well ahead of Buffalo. Then there are the Cincinnati Bengals at number 3. That one is not hard to figure out. Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins give Cincinnati two receivers who can win as WR1 options. Add Chase Brown to the mix, and the Bengals have the kind of high-end skill talent Barnwell obviously appreciates. The top five were the Detroit Lions , Los Angeles Rams , Bengals, Atlanta Falcons , and San Francisco 49ers . San Francisco might be the most interesting or controversial team near the top. Barnwell has them at No. 5 despite Christian McCaffrey , George Kittle , and Mike Evans all on the wrong side of 30, and there are real injury concerns with that group. Still, the talent is obvious. That is really the difference. The Bills have good players. They have useful players. They have players who fit what Buffalo wants to do. But when you compare their group to teams with
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The Bills have not had a 1,000-yard wide receiver since Stefon Diggs departed. Khalil Shakir led the team with 821 receiving yards in 2024 and 719 last season. DJ Moore hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2023, though he had 966 yards in 2024. Josh Allen could have his first 1,000-yard receiver since 2023, and Moore could have his first 1,000-yard season since 2023. “I think what DJ’s going to bring to us, obviously veteran leadership ,” Allen told NFL Media. “He’s been in the league as long as I’ve been in the league, and he’s produced at such a high level for the last eight years. Just really getting to know him. We’re locker mates, and to have that relationship that we already have, it’s a pretty seamless fit. I’m excited to continue to get to work with him. He’s going to be a huge help for us this next season and seasons to come.” Moore joins a wide receivers room that includes Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, Josh Palmer, Keon Coleman and rookie Skyler Bell. In eight seasons, Moore has four 1,000-yard seasons and 8,213 career receiving yards. He has had six or more touchdowns in each of the past four seasons
The Buffalo Bills will next gather as a team at St. John Fisher University in the Rochester, NY, suburb of Pittsford beginning on July 29 for the start of training camp, the next step in the team’s offseason workout program. Heading into training camp, there are questions on both sides of Buffalo ’s roster that must be addressed before the season begins. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by examining the biggest positional battles and matchups we’re excited to watch when the team opens up training camp, including how embattled wide receiver Keon Coleman (pictured below) bounces back from an erratic sophomore season and a criticism-filled offseason. Be sure to let us know your thoughts on what the biggest training camp battles will be, and who you like to win those roles in the comments section below. Thankfully, the Bills have no question marks at the game’s most important position, as former NFL MVP Josh Allen is one of the top quarterbacks in football entering his ninth season in Western New York. But the Bills, like most teams, do have their fair share of positional battles heading into training camp. Among the most interesting to watch: Who will replace David Edwards as the starting left guard between incumbent Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett ? Who will emerge as the other boundary cornerback opposite Christian Benford between second-year player Maxwell Hairston (pictured below) and rookie Davison Igbinosun ? Can Coleman enjoy a breakout season after being called out by owner Terry Pegula and claim the No. 3 WR spot, or will veteran Joshua Palmer or rookie Skyler Bell do enough to slot in behind DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir ? We also examine which Bills veterans are under the most pressure to succeed at camp; predict whether rookie Tommy Doman can knock off incumbent Mitch Wishnowsky in the much-anticipated puntapalooza competition; and identify a few second-year players with the most to prove once camp begins. Buffalo Bills 2026 training camp position battle to watch – Yahoo! Sports Predicting Result of Bills’ Cornerback Battle After Minicamp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Bills’ Cornerback Concerns Quietly Percolating, Will Be Hot-Button Issue By July – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Five Bills Veterans With Most on the Line at Training Camp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Tommy Doman brings championship experience to Buffalo Bills’ punter competition – Buffalo News (subscription required) Predicting Winner of the Buffalo Bills’ Punter Competition at Training Camp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Four Second-Year Bills Players With Most to Prove at Training Camp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Early Signs Point to Major Role for Bills Rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr After Minicamp – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Explaining why NFL.com selected tight end Jackson Hawes (pictured below) as one of the best values in football when building its perfect 53-man, salary cap-compliant roster. Plus, offering up game-by-game predictions for the 2026 Bills; checking in on where Buffalo ranks on ESPN’s Football Power Index; learning how speedy rookie cornerback Toriano Pride Jr. is acclimating to life in the NFL; and finding out what Josh Allen and Hailee Steinfeld named their baby daughter! Buffalo Bills player who does the dirty work named to NFL’s perfect roster – Democrat & Chronicle Buffalo Bills pre-training camp game-by-game predictions – newyorkupstate.com Seth Walder: Bills Ranked #2 On Latest Football Power Index – BuffaloBills.com With blazing speed, Toriano Pride Jr. finding his footing with Buffalo Bills – Buffalo News (subscription required) Josh Allen, Hailee Steinfeld reveal baby girl’s name in heartfelt letter – Democrat & Chronicle Hailee Steinfeld reveals daughter’s name and shares emotional message with fans – WGRZ Pre-training camp 53-man roster prediction – Buffalo Rumblings This is why teams are not what their record says they are – Buffalo Rumblings Has this passer be
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The Bills are feeling the pressure of becoming another one of sports’ great also-rans. There is one team in the NFL that has won more games than the Bills over the last decade. Their .640 winning percentage and 105-59 record trails only the Chiefs since 2016. However, the Chiefs have five Super Bowl appearances and four wins in that span, and the Bills have none of either. Can a new leader at the helm and two new offensive weapons on the perimeter help get the Bills the title that has eluded them? Points per game: 28.3 (4th) Total yards per game: 376.3 (4th) Plays per game: 63.6 (28th) Dropbacks per game: 37.1 (23rd) Dropback EPA per play: 0.23 (4th) Designed rush attempts per game: 29.8 (2nd) Rush EPA per play: 0.04 (2nd) Perhaps feeling the pressure to do something different to get over the hump, the team fired longtime head coach Sean McDermott in the offseason and turned the reins over to his offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. At 36 years old, Brady is now the youngest head coach in the NFL and will be thrown right into one of the most high-pressure jobs in the league. Josh Allen is now 30 years old (and a new father), and the Bills are feeling the heat to maximize their potential while their quarterback can still perform the athletic feats that have made him one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks. Can Brady be the young voice that gets them over the top? QB: Josh Allen, Kyle Allen WR: DJ Moore , Keon Coleman WR: Khalil Shakir , Skyler Bell WR: Joshua Palmer , Trent Sherfield TE: Dalton Kincaid , Dawson Knox , Jackson Hawes As with everything in the Bills’ offense, the passing game discussions begin and end with Josh Allen . The 2024 NFL MVP had another good season, completing 319-of-460 passes (69.3 percent) for 3,668 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also added another 579 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on the ground, becoming the franchise’s leader in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns. Yet, despite that, he also threw for his fewest yards since 2019 and averaged a career-low 7.1 yards per target. In fact, a career-high 65 percent of his attempts traveled fewer than 10 yards downfield, so his career-high 69.3 percent completion rate was more because of how short Buffalo had to design its passing game. With Brady now calling plays for his own offense and not to fit the balanced style that McDermott favored, it makes sense that we would see the offense try to push the ball down the field more. However, a higher average depth of target will likely mean that the completion rate takes a hit, and the interception numbers could climb back up around 14-15. Still, that could be worth the tradeoff if we get back to a 4,000 passing yard and 30 passing touchdown season. Of course, getting Allen weapons has also been a big conversation. Last season, the Bills didn’t have one wide receiver who surpassed 750 yards. Keon Coleman failed to take a step forward in his second season. Veteran Curtis Samuel and Josh Palmer battled injuries all year, and Khalil Shakir was forced into a role as a YAC monster. So what did the Bills do in the offseason? They brought in Pete Carmichael, who spent the majority of his coaching career coaching one of the most productive passing attacks in NFL history with Drew Brees in New Orleans , and traded a second-round pick to acquire DJ Moore . Now, Moore only had 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns in 2025 with the Bears, but that was a team that was moving towards featuring young players like Rome Odunze , Luther Burden III , and Colston Loveland . When Brady was the Panthers’ offensive coordinator in 2020, he led the first offense in franchise history with four different players who had over 1,000 scrimmage yards, including Moore, who led the team with 1,215. Moore won’t need to be that player in Buffalo, but he can still be an outside threat that can make defenses pay if they leave him in single coverage. That could still lead to 1,000 yards and eight or more touchdo
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The Buffalo Bills wrapped up mandatory minicamp on Thursday, which means the players now get to enjoy a six-week break before returning for training camp at St. John Fisher University in the Rochester suburb of Pittsford. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by highlighting who stood out during the final two days of mandatory minicamp, including how new safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pictured below) enjoyed an impressive performance against Josh Allen and Buffalo ’s offense. Check out the observations from minicamp and then let us know what stood out to you in the comments section. New Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson has earned a reputation as one of the game’s greatest trash talkers, a fact quarterback Josh Allen admitted to the media on Tuesday when he said Gardner-Johnson was the loudest guy in Buffalo’s locker room at all times. After a relatively quiet start to minicamp, Gardner-Johnson’s play spoke for itself on Wednesday, when the veteran safety recorded back-to-back breakups of Allen passes before coming away with an interception as Buffalo’s defense more than held its own against Allen and the offense. “I told (Josh) I’m gonna get one of them before we go out, because I haven’t touched the ball all camp,” Gardner-Johnson said to reporters after practice. “So the fact I got to touch the ball three times in one day. Ah, yeah, it’s gonna be a great year.” Among the other observations and standouts from mandatory minicamp: defensive lineman Landon Jackson is settling in nicely at his new spot along the interior of the defensive line; embattled wide receiver Keon Coleman showcased his improved quickness and speed on the routes he ran; edge rusher Javon Solomon flashed his potential in defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard ’s new scheme; Josh Allen and DJ Moore connected on a touchdown throw on a play where Allen threaded the needle and hit a sliding Moore for the score; second-year undrafted linebacker Keonta Jenkins came away with a few big plays as he states his case for a spot on the 53-man roster; defensive linemen Deone Walker and T.J. Parker were at times unblockable; and wide receiver Trent Sherfield has caught nearly every pass thrown his way. We also discuss how safety Cole Bishop is staying mentally strong as he works his way back from a left knee procedure; why outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is excited to bring a physicality to Buffalo’s defense; and how a “chiseled” Dion Dawkins is preparing for his 10th season with the Bills. Bills minicamp Day 2: Bills’ new safety warned Josh Allen before practice, then backed it up – newyorkupstate.com ‘Loud’ Gardner-Johnson sets tone for Bills defense at mandatory minicamp – WGR 550 Bills OLB Bradley Chubb motivated to win games, ‘play physical’ and train with TJ Parker — Recapping Day 3 of minicamp – BuffaloBills.com Bradley Chubb has Dolphins games circled after joining Bills – Democrat & Chronicle Bills’ Keon Coleman did something at practice that impressed (minicamp observations) – newyorkupstate.com James Cook’s milestone, Joshua Palmer’s motivation & Cole Bishop’s recovery — Recapping Day 2 of Bills minicamp – BuffaloBills.com After left knee procedure, Cole Bishop making most of mental reps this spring – Buffalo News (subscription required) Cole Bishop injury update: Will Bills safety be ready for training camp? – newyorkupstate.com After staying away from voluntary practices, James Cook is back at Bills minicamp – Buffalo News (subscription required) Cook back on the field for Bills mandatory minicamp – WGRZ Bills minicamp: Don’t count on Stefon Diggs reunion and other takeaways – The Athletic (subscription required) Bills hit summer break as they wrap up mandatory minicamp – WGRZ ‘Chiseled’ Dion Dawkins still leading in his own, unique way entering 10th season – Buffalo News (subscription required) Learn about the roster moves the Bills did at the conclusion of mandatory minicamp, including why Buffalo waived cornerback Dorian Strong (
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The Buffalo Bills have a revamped offense heading into the season with new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael and several new wide receiver additions. The health and productivity of tight end Dalton Kincaid are seen as crucial for the offense's success. Quarterback Josh Allen is reportedly bonding well with Carmichael
Today’s edition of “91 Buffalo Bills players in 91 days” was supposed to cover cornerback Daryl Porter Jr. However, as is the fickle nature of the NFL, Porter was released on June 1. I had assumed that Porter had little chance of making the final roster, hence his early placement in the series, but his release came even sooner than I had anticipated. Now, we turn our focus instead to the man who replaced Porter on the 91-man roster. He doesn’t play defense — he’s a wide receiver — but he is an intriguing young prospect, and someone whose name flows very well with the most annoying dance craze of the 1990s. Without further adieu, let’s talk about a former Fresno State Bulldog looking to make his mark in the NFL. _____________________________________________________________________________ Name: Mac Dalena Number: Unknown Position: WR Height/Weight: 5’10”, 180 pounds Age: 24 (25 on 10/4/2026) Experience/Draft: 1; signed with the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2025 NFL Draft College: Fresno State Acquired: Signed with Bills on 6/1/2026 Financial situation (per Spotrac): Unknown, but I assume it’s a one-year deal at the minimum, which is approximately $885,000 for the season. 2025 Recap: Dalena spent the offseason and preseason with the Chiefs last year. In three preseason games, he saw four targets and made two catches for nine yards. He did not make the final roster, nor did he sign with Kansas City’s practice squad. He eventually landed with the Seattle Seahawks , signing with their practice squad on November 4. He was released from the practice squad just four days later. The New York Jets signed Dalena to a reserve/future contract in January, but they released him on May 10. Positional outlook: Dalena is one of 13 receivers on the current roster. Khalil Shakir , DJ Moore , Tyrell Shavers , Joshua Palmer , Keon Coleman , Stephen Gosnell, Trent Sherfield , Mecole Hardman Jr., Gabriel Benyard, Skyler Bell, Ja’Mori Maclin, and Jalen Virgil are the others. 2026 Offseason: Dalena just signed with Buffalo, but he is healthy and ready to participate in minicamp and training camp. 2026 Season outlook: Dalena offers some promise as a slot receiver, as he’s definitely quick enough to operate in that area of the field despite his lack of size. At his pro day in 2024, Dalena ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, and completed the three-cone drill in just 6.89 seconds. He also showed off a 38.5” vertical and a 10’5” leap in the broad jump. Dalena has a small frame and short arms, so he doesn’t offer much in the way of contested-catch value, but he does offer enough speed and quickness where he could parlay a strong summer into a stint on Buffalo’s practice squad. I say “practice squad” and not the 53-man roster because there isn’t anything to suggest that the Bills will go with a soon-to-be 25-year-old as one of the final wideouts who makes the roster, and nor should they. This is a Buffalo team that needs to be in win-now mode, and unless Dalena comes in and sets the practice field on fire against the first-team defense, he isn’t going to make the team. Could he slot in as a potential backup for Shakir? He may show enough promise in head coach Joe Brady’s offense where that could be a long-term goal, but Dalena is unlikely to be a solution for the team in the short-term. Dalena has proven that he can be a difference-maker on offense before. As a senior at Fresno State, he caught 64 passes for 1,065 yards and eight scores. He led the Bulldogs in all three categories. For his efforts, Dalena was named a Second-Team All-American by HERO Sports, and he was also First-Team All-Mountain West. If Dalena wants to prove his mettle, he’ll have to compete on special teams and show that his field-stretching speed outweighs his slight stature. He’s likely a camp body, but he could be a fun player to watch during the summer if he finds some open field
Christian Watson got his money. Now the obvious question looms: is he worth the money? Watson stands atop a revamped Packers’ wide receiver depth chart. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks are gone, departed via free agency and a trade, respectively. Jayden Reed is back, retained on a contract extension of his own earlier this offseason, joining second-year first round pick Matthew Golden and second-year gadget man Savion Williams among the top four. But Watson’s big deal and dubious injury history invites the most questions, and fairly so. But the answer is easy. Watson isn’t just worth the money, he’s clearly the Packers’ best receiver and he’s ready for a big role. Let’s start with Watson’s unique abilities, because he’s always had a tantalizing height/weight/speed profile. Standing a shade over 6-foot-4 and weighing 208 pounds, Watson ran a blistering 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine to go with a whole host of other elite physical attributes. He can do it all, and he’s largely backed it up on the field. Last year, he was one of just two players in the NFL (along with Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts ) to average 17.5 or more yards per catch on 55 or more targets. And in 2024, Watson, Pierce, and Keon Coleman were the only three players to crack 17.5 per catch on 50 or more targets. When he’s on the field, Watson is producing in rare company. The availability has been the fly in the ointment, but I think those concerns have been a bit overblown the past couple of seasons, in truth. In 2022 and 2023, Watson played in just 25 of a possible 36 games (counting playoffs) due to a whole host of nagging injuries. But 2024 and 2025 have been wholly different. In 2024, he missed just three of 18 games due to injury, and one of those three was a result of his torn ACL in Week 18. That torn ACL cost him an additional six games in 2025, but he missed zero additional games for injury reasons outside of that, though he did sit out Week 18 because the Packers had nothing to play for. So can he handle a higher volume role now that he’s getting paid more? What if I told you he’s already doing it? From the time he returned from his torn ACL through the end of the season, Watson was the Packers’ de facto top receiver. From Week 8 through the end of the season, he led the Packers in targets, yards, receiving touchdowns, and tied for the team lead in first downs. That does come with the obvious caveat that Tucker Kraft went down shortly after Watson’s return, freeing up a lot of targets. But even so, Watson more than held his own in an offense that had largely been focused on getting targets to Romeo Doubs. And just as importantly, you can look back through Watson’s career and find a stretch of seven weeks or more (often a lot more) in every season where he receives the lion’s share of the Packers’ receiving volume. In 2022, he of course had his massive explosion, leading the Packers in targets, catches, yards, and receiving touchdowns from Weeks 10-18. In 2023, he was second on the team in targets, catches, and first downs and first in yards and touchdowns from Weeks 4 through 13. And in 2024, Watson was first in targets, catches, yards, and first downs from Weeks 8 through 15. That’s more than just saying “Watson is good when healthy.” That’s a guy who’s been the team’s clear top receiving option when healthy. That’s a guy with rare physical attributes who has put up rare numbers when he’s had the opportunity. The Packers aren’t just throwing money at Watson, hoping he can be something great. They’ve seen him do it already, and they’re buying in for the next few years. And hopefully it signals a pivot to an offense where Jordan Love is really allowed to let it rip . But maybe that’s just getting greedy
The Las Vegas Raiders have been connected to wide receivers all offseason, but even after adding Jalen Nailor in free agency and drafting Malik Benson, the speculation has continued. Las Vegas has been rumored to have interest in numerous wideouts all offseason and the latest dot connecting is Keon Coleman of the Buffalo Bills. Recently, ESPN pegged the Raiders as a potential top destination for the 2024 first-round pick should the Bills decide to trade him, which has been rumored for months. Coleman has been slow to develop in Buffalo despite playing with superstar quarterback Josh Allen . He had just 38 catches in 2025 and has been a healthy inactive player at times because he reportedly was late for meetings . Still, he is immensely talented and he just turned 23 years old. He has potential to become a solid player. If the price was right (a third-day draft pick) , it could make sense for the Raiders to try to make Coleman an reclamation project. Would a trade for Coleman make you happy or would it be a waste of time? Sign up for a user account and get: Fewer ads Create community posts Comment on articles, community posts Rec comments, community posts New, improved notifications system!
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