Buffalo Rumblings

Coleman, the former first pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has clearly underperformed entering Year 3 and hasn't locked down the WR3 role on the Bills after a very quiet camp. JJ Zachariason notes his inclusion reflects the sped-up nature of today's NFL; while the Bills have said nothing to indicate Coleman is on the trade block and are unlikely to abandon an early second-round pick before his third season, if Coleman plays a lot during the preseason and hardly makes an impact, trade speculation will likely follow. Coleman has his work cut out for him to become a serviceable piece of Joe Brady's offense.

Ty Johnson suffered a hamstring injury during the Return of the Blue and the Red scrimmage. While not expected to cause him to miss regular season time, hamstrings are tricky injuries that tend to linger; the Bills might choose to give him closer to the maximum four-week recovery time rather than rushing him back in two weeks. This injury could open the door for Ray Davis to see increased opportunity early in the 2026 season.

Davis is healthy heading into 2026 after an injury scare at practice on August 4. He has participated since the scare and is on track for the start of the preseason.

Davis emerged as the NFL's top kickoff returner in 2025, averaging an NFL-best 30.4 yards per kickoff return on 31 attempts for 943 yards and a touchdown. In the playoffs, he led the NFL in kickoff return attempts (9) and kickoff return yards (249) despite the Bills playing only two postseason games. Davis earned First-Team All-Pro recognition as a kickoff returner, becoming the first Buffalo player to earn such an honor in team history; Terrence McGee previously earned Second-Team All-Pro as a returner twice (2004, 2005) but never First-Team.

Davis could see increased offensive opportunity early in 2026 if Ty Johnson's hamstring injury lingers beyond the typical two-week recovery window. The source projects Davis could slot in as RB2 similar to his rookie role, with upside as a strong RB2 in a committee approach on other teams; at worst, he's a great RB3. The source notes Davis is a dangerous receiver out of the backfield and can carry the load if needed, making him a valuable insurance policy for the Bills.

Davis enters 2026 as a backup RB on a Bills roster with James Cook as the lead back. After a solid rookie campaign as the second back, Davis was a nonfactor on offense in 2025, recording just 58 rushes for 275 yards and 10 receptions for 86 yards with two touchdowns across the season; his only double-digit carry game was a blowout win over the Jets in which starters were rested (21 carries, 151 yards, 2 receptions, 1 TD). Cook's career year in 2025 limited Davis' opportunities, keeping him on the field for close to 60% of offensive snaps. Davis wants a bigger role in 2026 and has proven capable of handling the majority of backfield duties in short bursts, but his upside is constrained by playing alongside one of the NFL's best running backs.

Historical precedent for strong performance when playing former team; Beasley had arguably the best game of his Buffalo career in a 2019 Thanksgiving matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, suggesting Gardner-Johnson could similarly elevate his play against the Texans if he maintains emotional control.

Allen has earned the right to be empowered within his organization and to have final say on offensive-line protections in front of him; the source notes that entering Year 9, it would be a bigger story if Allen did not have this authority. The Athletic's Mike Sando reported whispers about Allen controlling pass protections as a source of frustration on the Bills coaching staff, but the source disputes this characterization as speculative and notes there was zero corroboration from other NFL media members during the 2025 season, a year Allen took a career-high in sacks. The source argues that Allen's control over protections is not a negative and that he can handle a free rusher better than any quarterback in football.

Kyle Allen remains ahead of Shane Buechele in the QB2 battle despite a seemingly close competition throughout the summer; the source expects this battle to be settled on the field during the preseason.

Shakir received an above-average wide receiver contract extension in February 2025, cited by the source as a parallel example to justify O'Cyrus Torrence's above-average guard extension; the source uses Shakir's deal as precedent for paying above-average players above-average positional contracts.

The source cites Kacmarek, Ohio State's blocking tight end prospect, as an example of market inefficiency in tight end valuation. Despite never having more than 11 catches in a college season, Kacmarek was pushed into round two of the 2026 NFL Draft with a four-year contract value of $6.849 million, illustrating how teams are capitalizing on the $5M–$10M AAV market for reasonable blocking tight ends.

The source cites Robinson's recent contract with the Tennessee Titans as a market reference point for evaluating Khalil Shakir's wide receiver contract standing, using it to affirm Shakir's position in the pecking order of receiver contracts alongside Rashod Bateman, Romeo Doubs, and Rashid Shaheed.

The source cites Shaheed's recent contract with the Seattle Seahawks as a market reference point for evaluating Khalil Shakir's wide receiver contract standing, using it to affirm Shakir's position in the pecking order of receiver contracts alongside Rashod Bateman, Romeo Doubs, and Wan'Dale Robinson.

The source cites Doubs' recent contract with the New England Patriots as a market reference point for evaluating Khalil Shakir's wide receiver contract standing, using it to affirm Shakir's position in the pecking order of receiver contracts alongside Rashod Bateman, Rashid Shaheed, and Wan'Dale Robinson.

The source cites Bateman's recent contract with the Baltimore Ravens as a market reference point for evaluating Khalil Shakir's wide receiver contract standing, using it to affirm Shakir's position in the pecking order of receiver contracts alongside Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed, and Wan'Dale Robinson.

The source cites Palmer as an example of Brandon Beane's poor track record with unrestricted free agent signings, listing him among failed wide receiver acquisitions that illustrate why the Bills should not expect strong value from free agency at other positions in 2027.

The source cites Samuel as an example of Brandon Beane's poor track record with unrestricted free agent signings, listing him among failed wide receiver acquisitions that illustrate why the Bills should not expect strong value from free agency at other positions in 2027.

The source cites Shakir's wide receiver contract extension (signed just shy of 18 months prior to the article) as a comparable market reference point for evaluating the Torrence deal. Shakir's contract ranks 33rd in the NFL among wide receivers in practical guaranteed money per Spotrac, and the source classifies him as a 'solid starter' and 'reliable contributor' in the same tier as Torrence, using recent deals for Rashod Bateman, Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed, and Wan'Dale Robinson to affirm Shakir's standing in the pecking order of receiver contracts.

Wide receiver DJ Moore continues to impress at training camp, maintaining strong performance through the early stages of camp.

Wide receiver Keon Coleman flashed his skills as a threat in the red zone during Monday's practice, showing promise in a key scoring area.

Wide receiver Skyler Bell sat out Monday's practice session; the source notes Bell has the raw skill set the Bills have needed at wide receiver.

Running back Ty Johnson sat out Monday's practice session.

Josh Allen has received a new top wide receiver option in DJ Moore from general manager Brandon Beane, enhancing the Bills' offensive weapons and expectations for the 2026 season.

The reigning NFL rushing yards leader appears ready to run it back for the Bills in 2026, positioning him as a key offensive contributor when considering the offense's role this season.

Brandon Beane has given quarterback Josh Allen a new top wide receiver option in DJ Moore, positioning him as a key offensive weapon for the Bills' 2026 season.

Hawes played 43% of offensive snaps as a rookie and turned in a strong first NFL season for a fifth-round pick; there is untapped receiving potential in him, and he has the game to serve as a lead-blocking fullback when needed, positioning him as a key depth piece.

Hardman looked as spry as ever at camp, made some plays down the field, and can serve as the club's primary returner, earning a spot on the 53-man roster in a seven-receiver projection.

Johnson hurt his leg in the Return of the Blue and Red Scrimmage, but the injury should not change the numbers game at running back for the start of the season.

Buechele came on strong late in training camp and is engaged in a serious QB2 battle heading into the preseason, contrasting with Kyle Allen who underwhelmed almost every day at camp.

Running back James Cook rattled off a few big runs going up against Buffalo's starting defense during the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage.

Running back Ty Johnson suffered an apparent leg injury during the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage and had to leave practice early.

Tight end Dawson Knox caught a touchdown toss from Josh Allen late in the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage practice.

Khalil Shakir was featured in Josh Allen's strong finish to the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage, catching a laser-beam deep throw for a touchdown late in practice.

DJ Moore was featured in Josh Allen's strong finish to the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage, catching a picture-perfect 35-yard dart from Allen during the scrimmage portion.

At the Return of the Blue & Red scrimmage in new Highmark Stadium, Josh Allen threw four interceptions early against Buffalo's defense but bounced back with strong finishing throws, including a 35-yard dart to DJ Moore, a deep TD pass to Khalil Shakir, and a TD toss to Dawson Knox late in practice.

Veteran receiver Joshua Palmer had a good training camp and is projected as a top-five Bills receiver for 2026. However, source notes Palmer showed little in his time before suffering an injury last season, creating an opening for rookie Skyler Bell to potentially compete for offensive snaps if Palmer's performance regresses or injury concerns resurface.

Third-year player Keon Coleman has been a disappointment for two seasons running and is doing some good things in camp, but has his own drop issues this summer. Source notes Coleman's struggles create an opportunity for rookie Skyler Bell to potentially beat him out for offensive reps, though Coleman is still projected as a top-five Bills receiver for the 2026 season.

Source projects Buffalo's top five receivers to be Khalil Shakir, DJ Moore, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, and Skyler Bell, though the depth chart is not set in stone. Bell's path to offensive snaps depends on whether he can outperform Coleman or Palmer down the stretch of training camp and preseason, or whether he can secure a special teams role (punt/kickoff return) to guarantee a game-day roster spot.

Despite solid training camp performance with great burst and route-running ability, Bell faces significant playing-time hurdles. Veteran Joshua Palmer had a good camp and third-year player Keon Coleman is doing good things, making it tough for Bell to find early offensive snaps. Source notes Bell has had drop issues in camp and lacks a special teams role (punt/kickoff return) that would secure him a game-day roster spot. Unless Bell can beat out Coleman or Palmer for reps, his early-season role will be limited to specific packages.

Fourth-round pick (No. 125 overall) from UConn with elite college production: 101 catches, 1,278 yards, 13 TDs in 2025; consensus All-American and Biletnikoff Award finalist. Combine metrics show excellent speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash) and burst (41" vertical, 11'1" broad jump). Source projects Bell will make the 53-man roster and be active on game days in specific packages, though initial assessment of immediate third/fourth receiver impact may have been premature due to depth chart competition.