There are clear roster locks, but also plenty of hopefuls looking to make their mark catching passes from Josh Allen.
There’s still plenty of time before the Buffalo Bills head to St. John Fisher University for training camp, but that won’t stop us from taking a closer look at certain positions on the team’s 53-man roster early in June. Wide receiver often leads to plenty of conversations and opinions, so I figure this will be a great place for us to start.
In looking at the current 90-man roster for the Bills, it’s safe to say that there are four receivers who currently appear as likely roster locks. Khalil Shakir led the team in receptions and yards in 2024, and he was rewarded with a new 4-year contract extension that’s worth up to $60.2 million. Keon Coleman returns for his second season with higher expectations, and Curtis Samuel has a $12 million dead-cap hit if released this year. Finally, Josh Palmer just signed as a free agent back in March — making him the fourth roster lock for the club.
I almost included Elijah Moore as a lock, but reconsidered after looking at his contract. Moore signed a one-year deal that’s worth up to $5 million, with $2.5 million guaranteed. While I certainly have high expectations for what Moore can add to the offense, his contract would not guarantee his spot on the roster. Moore has received some rave reviews in the early stages of offseason work, but it would be too early to consider him a lock. With that being said, Moore is the early favorite for the fifth wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster.
General manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott have traditionally kept five receivers on the 53-man roster, but that could certainly change this coming season. The five aforementioned receivers don’t add much in terms of special teams — which could open up a spot for a sixth wideout on the roster.
Jalen Virgil appeared in seven regular-season games in 2024, playing 83 snaps on special teams. It was a more limited sample size for Tyrell Shavers, who chipped in 10 special teams snaps in three regular-season games. New to this year’s roster, Laviska Shenault has also returned 25 kickoffs during his NFL career — which adds his name to the mix for the sixth spot. Kaden Prather should also get some consideration as a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A dark horse candidate for the final receiver spot would be free agent Gabe Davis. The former Bill was recently released by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and still remains unsigned after meetings with the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. Davis played 65 special teams snaps during his first two seasons in Buffalo. Some fans may scoff at the potential reunion, but I will consider it a possibility while Davis remains available.
A lot can certainly happen between now and Week 1 of the NFL season, but it’s safe to say the competition at wide receiver is one that I’ll be closely monitoring. Be sure to share your thoughts below on the Bills’ options at wide receiver.