Plus, from a new coach to new rules and a new punter, there are changes aplenty for Buffalo’s special teams.
When the Buffalo Bills selected wide receiver Keon Coleman with the first pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the team expected the playmaker to serve as a valuable weapon for Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense.
While Coleman flashed some of that potential during his rookie season, a Week 9 wrist injury sidelined Coleman for five weeks, and the wideout endured a quiet stretch run, only catching 10 passes for 161 yards over Buffalo’s final seven games (including the playoffs).
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off with thoughts on why the Bills are banking on a breakthrough season from Coleman and examines other younger players who could breakout this year.
WR Keon Coleman among young talents expected to breakout
Coleman, who finished his first season in the NFL with 32 receptions for 578 yards and four touchdowns, is determined to prove the doubters wrong heading into his second year. After averaging 19.2 yards per reception, Coleman displayed his big-play ability, and several outlets tabbed Coleman as Buffalo’s leading breakout candidate.
Among the other players age 25 and under with breakout potential? Safety Cole Bishop, rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston, linebacker Dorian Williams, rookie defensive tackle T.J. Sanders, and defensive ends Landon Jackson and Javon Solomon.
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman focused on proving doubters wrong – WKBW
- Keon Coleman is Buffalo’s Breakout Player To Watch in NFL Minicamp – Pro Football Network
- Potential AFC under-the-radar stars in 2025: One player from each team who could make a surprising impact – CBS Sports
- Which young Bills are poised for a big season? Players under 25 years old with breakout potential – The Athletic (subscription required)
- Analyst names Buffalo Bills second-year WR ‘breakout player to watch’ – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Who is going to step up for the Buffalo Bills in 2025? Identifying the Top Breakout Candidates | wfmynews2.com
Changes aplenty for special teams
Following a 2024 NFL season that saw Buffalo’s special teams commit too many notable breakdowns, the Bills fired special teams coordinator Matthew Smiley and replaced him with Chris Tabor. That’s just one of the changes facing Buffalo’s special teams heading into the 2025 NFL season.
- ‘Lock in and do it’: How the Bills’ returners will try to make a splash on kickoffs, punts in 2025 – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- New rules, new punter, new coach: Bills special teams undergoing lots of change – Democrat & Chronicle
Even more Bills news
We learn how defensive lineman Michael Hoecht is gearing up to make an impact on the Bills; get to know new wide receiver Joshua Palmer; find out more about the newest member of the Bills’ defensive line; explore which Bill is facing the most scrutiny this year; and more!
- Michael Hoecht is excited to prove he’ll be worth the wait for the Buffalo Bills – WKBW
- The story of Joshua Palmer: Bills’ WR was molded by cold Canadian mornings and long, quiet work – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills sign defensive tackle Marcus Harris, cut undrafted rookie Devin Brandt-Harris – Buffalo News (subscription required)
- Bills sign DT Marcus Harris – BuffaloBills.com
- Buffalo Bills’ star faces most crucial season yet in 2025 – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills
- Frank Gore Jr.’s ‘elementary school’ FGJ autograph a joke among Bills teammates that he vows to fix – The Athletic (subscription required)
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