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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
The Bills wrapped up their preseason with a 24-21 win over the Bears on Saturday. Josh Allen played one series and looked sharp as he converted three third downs to help set up a short touchdown run. This was reassuring to see following an ugly showing against the Steelers a week ago, and the team now goes into Week 1 with momentum. Matt Barkley sat out the game with an elbow injury and was then placed on the injured reserve list. Kyle Allen gets the No. 2 job by default. The Bills reportedly made a trade offer for Trey Lance before he went to Dallas, so they may still be seeking an upgrade for the #2 role.
Running Backs
James Cook got the start against the Bears and once again played nearly every snap with the first-string offense. He received seven touches on just 15 snaps but did give way to Damien Harris at the goal line for a 2-yard touchdown run while Josh Allen was still in the game. Cook’s upside is undeniable, and he may wind up being one of the better value picks in fantasy drafts. Latavius Murray got the day off, which created more chances for Harris after he sat out the prior two games. With Cook as the feature back, Harris and Murray will likely compete for carries behind him. Harris has likely been overvalued in fantasy drafts this summer, as Murray could handle a similar short-yardage role while also offering more upside as a pass-catcher.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs played the first series with Allen and caught two third-down passes for 10 yards each. Gabe Davis saw extended playing time with most of the other starters and finished with just one catch on four targets. Deonte Harty worked out of the slot with the first-string offense and had a productive day with four catches on six targets. Trent Sherfield filled in for Diggs in the second series and is likely the top reserve at all three positions. Khalil Shakir sat out the game with a rib injury and could be inactive on game days without a clear role on special teams. Justin Shorter only caught one pass in the game on five targets, but he can help on special teams.
Tight Ends
While the hype has been building for Dalton Kincaid since training camp, he had a quiet game against the Bears. He drew a defensive holding call in the end zone to set up the game’s opening touchdown and a defensive pass interference call in the second quarter but was otherwise held off the stat sheet. The expectation is that Dawson Knox will play a near-every-down role as the primary tight end, while Kincaid will create mismatches as a receiver in 2-TE packages. Quinton Morris hauled in a 29-yard touchdown catch against the Bears and will serve as No. 3.
Defense
Head coach Sean McDermott did not call defensive plays against the Bears so he could pay more attention to player evaluation but confirmed he will call plays in Week 1. As a group, the first-string defense forced two quick three-and-outs to start the game, and the only real blemish came on a 40-yard catch and run by DJ Moore that was helped by several missed tackles. Tyrel Dodson started at middle linebacker, while Terrell Bernard remained out with a hamstring injury but could return to practice this week. At cornerback, Christian Benford got the start after Dane Jackson had started the previous two games, but the coaches confirmed the competition remains open, and they have yet to pick a starter. Von Miller remains on the PUP list and will miss at least the season’s first four weeks.
Returners
Deonte Harty, a former first-team All-Pro returner, and Khalil Shakir are favorites to field returns for the Bills in 2023.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
The Bills looked disjointed in an ugly loss to the Steelers on Saturday night in their second preseason game. Josh Allen and the starting offense played the first quarter but struggled due in part to poor play from the offensive line and a rash of penalties (12 for 90 yards in the first half alone). There are some concerns about the offensive tackles, who struggled to block an aggressive Steelers’ pass rush. Matt Barkley, operating with the second-string offense, encountered setbacks with three interceptions and a fumble. Kyle Allen had more success in the fourth quarter, albeit against players unlikely to secure 53-man roster spots.
Running Backs
James Cook played 15 of 16 snaps with Josh Allen, hinting at his anticipated role as the primary running back. He did not find much room to run, however, and only touched the ball three times as the Bills quickly fell behind in the game. Damien Harris sat out the game with a shoulder injury, providing Latavius Murray exclusive snaps with the second-string offense. Although Harris is getting more attention in fantasy drafts, Murray remains in the picture and seems likely to benefit most from an injury to Cook. Jordan Mims and Darrynton Evans performed well in the second half and are candidates for the practice squad.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs was targeted five times on just 13 snaps against Pittsburgh and remains a focal point. Gabe Davis is also locked in as the No. 2 receiver and hauled in a 35-yard catch at the sideline that was called back due to a penalty. Trent Sherfield appears to be the top backup on the outside and will also play in the slot sometimes. Deonte Harty played most of the snaps with Allen in 11-personnel and could start the year as the team’s primary slot receiver. Khalil Shakir did not take a single snap at slot receiver against Pittsburgh. Justin Shorter had a standout performance with a 5-catch, 47-yard, 1-touchdown stat line on six targets. Due to his special teams capabilities and long-term potential, Shorter seems secure in the sixth receiver spot. At the same time, Andy Isabella remains on the roster bubble.
Tight Ends
Dawson Knox was sidelined due to a finger injury in the Steelers game, paving the way for Dalton Kincaid to receive extensive playing time. He played into the second quarter and finished with three catches for 45 yards. The Bills intend to frequently employ two-tight-end packages this season, but if the offensive tackle situation doesn't improve, Knox might be utilized more heavily as a blocker. Quintin Morris appears to be locked in as the third tight end, while Jace Sternberger could be considered for the practice squad.
Defense
There were several key developments on the defensive side of the ball from the Steelers' game. Tyrel Dodson's grip on the starting middle linebacker role seems to be weakening in favor of 32-year-old A.J. Klein. Dodson continues to struggle in coverage and didn’t help himself on the long touchdown run given up to Jaylen Warren. Despite not initially being a part of the competition, Klein's reliability and the coaching staff's trust are shifting the dynamics. Kaiir Elam appears to be falling behind in the cornerback battle, as he played into the fourth quarter and has been unable to take advantage of opportunities this summer. While Christian Benford is likely still in consideration, Dane Jackson is the type of safe choice this coaching staff tends to favor.
Offensive Line
Left tackle Dion Dawkins is a dependable commodity, and new left guard Connor McGovern fits in nicely. A competition for the right guard spot emerged between veteran Ryan Bates and second-round rookie O'Cyrus Torrence. Bates had the lead early, but Torrence started preseason games against the Colts and the Steelers. It's a tight battle, but Torrence should emerge victorious, leaving Bates as the backup center. Mitch Morse's backup at center. With the retirement of backup Brandon Shell and Tommy Doyle's ACL injury, David Quessenberry takes on the role of swing tackle. The Bills' offensive line is rated 10th overall currently.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
Josh Allen sat out as the Bills triumphed over the Colts in their preseason opener on Saturday afternoon. He had a brief injury scare in practice last week but didn't miss much time and isn't expected to see extensive playing time during the preseason. The intrigue lies in the competition for the No. 2 spot, where Kyle Allen's struggles in camp and lackluster performance against the Colts' first-string defense have raised concerns. Matt Barkley excelled against the backups in the second half, completing 14 of 15 attempts, but doubts remain regarding his arm strength against more formidable opponents. There's a possibility that the regular season backup might not yet be on the roster.
Running Backs
James Cook started against the Colts, building upon the positive momentum he's maintained throughout training camp. He gained 20 yards on 5 carries and benefited from excellent blocking on an 8-yard touchdown run. All indications point toward his current role as a 3-down back, even if he concedes some work in short-yardage situations. Damien Harris sat out to rest a knee injury believed to be minor, offering more opportunities to Latavius Murray. While the veterans are expected to compete for playing time behind Cook, the other tailbacks on the roster are vying for the practice squad. Jordan Mims stood out offensively, while Darrynton Evans holds an advantage on special teams due to his return capabilities.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs was rested against the Colts, and Trent Sherfield started in his place in a 2-TE formation. Sherfield has been explosive and is an excellent blocker, which has helped him pull ahead of Khalil Shakir to be the No. 3 receiver. Deonte Harty also saw time early on in 3WR sets, while Shakir primarily came in as an outside replacement. Shakir has not been able to take advantage of his opportunities and seems to be slipping down the depth chart. Andy Isabella was heavily involved in the game but remains a long shot for the final roster. KeeSean Johnson, Tyrell Shavers, and Dezmon Patmon are, at best, heading to the practice squad.
Tight Ends
Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid were both in the starting lineup against the Colts, although neither was targeted as the Bills ran the ball on their first five offensive snaps. The key takeaway here, though, is that Kincaid left the game with the rest of the starters, suggesting he’s set for an immediate impact role. Expect the Bills to use 2-TE formations frequently this year.
Defense
The defense pressured the Colts' quarterbacks and brought more blitzes from the defensive backs than previously seen. With head coach Sean McDermott now calling the defensive plays, we can expect a more aggressive approach. At linebacker, Terrel Bernard sat out with a hamstring injury, which likely pushes Tyrel Dodson into a clear starting role in the middle. Dodson is a capable run defender but often struggles in coverage, so a 3-down role could be problematic. Rookie linebacker Dorian Williams performed well, leading the team with seven tackles while serving as a backup to Matt Milano. The 3-way competition continues at outside cornerback among Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam, and Christian Benford. Jackson presents a safer choice, yet the team has invested considerably in Elam and would likely prefer to see him secure the position.
Returners
Following Nyheim Hines' ACL tear in July, Deonte Harty and Khalil Shakir are the top candidates to replace him.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
The offense remains largely unchanged, relying heavily on the performance of Josh Allen to determine their success. While some upgrades have been made to the offensive line and new targets added, the team still finds itself among a select group of Super Bowl contenders. Allen's training camp started slowly, but he should benefit from the continuity of working with the same coaching staff and offensive system as last year, with Ken Dorsey further maturing as the play caller. Kyle Allen, a newcomer, was brought in to replace Case Keenum and seems to have an early edge for the backup role, though he will face competition from Matt Barkley throughout the preseason.
Running Backs
With Devin Singletary now in Houston and no big names brought in, the Bills are excited to see what James Cook can do as their new featured back. He has been impressive early in camp with the first-string offense and could be in line for a bigger role than some may expect. However, there are still concerns about how much work he'll get in a pass-heavy offense and how well he can run between the tackles. Nevertheless, the opportunity is there for him to make a significant impact. On the other hand, Damien Harris, signed to a low-risk 1-year contract, brings much-needed size and physicality to the position. Despite working as the No. 2, he does have some shortcomings in the passing game that may limit him to a short-yardage role. Latavius Murray is an experienced veteran with a good chance at a roster spot, especially after Nyheim Hines' season-ending injury.
Wide Receivers
Stefon Diggs returns as the clear No. 1 receiver and has looked sharp early in camp, showing his usual chemistry with Josh Allen and putting any previous concerns behind them. While Gabe Davis struggled in 2022, entering the last year of his contract should give him plenty of incentive to put together a big season. The most interesting story will likely be who emerges as the primary option in the slot role. Isaiah McKenzie and Cole Beasley are both gone, which could create an opening for Khalil Shakir. He showed some flashes as a rookie and has the talent to become a reliable target over the middle. Expect Shakir to be pushed by experienced newcomers Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfield, who were signed in free agency to strengthen the overall depth at the position. Beyond that group, rookie Justin Shorter is a developmental player to watch, and Andy Isabella has also drawn praise.
Tight Ends
This position group figures to draw most of the attention, given the addition of Dalton Kincaid. The rookie was praised by some scouts as having the best hands of any player in this year's draft class and could potentially work as the de-facto slot receiver. The Bills did not use 2-TE sets very often last year, so they should incorporate it more into their offense, especially with Kincaid being the most active target for Josh Allen early in training camp. Dawson Knox remains a solid all-around starter, but Kincaid has the potential to elevate the offense and make it much harder to defend.
Defense
The defense did not perform at its best in last year's playoffs due to injuries to several key players. Up front, Von Miller is likely to start the year on the PUP list while recovering from a torn ACL, but the team should be in good hands with Gregory Rousseau and newcomer Leonard Floyd. The biggest concern is at middle linebacker following the departure of Tremaine Edmunds in free agency, and it looks like the replacement will be either Tyrel Dodson or Terrell Bernard. The secondary should be significantly improved with the return of free safety Micah Hyde, as well as improved health from safety Jordan Poyer and cornerback TreDavious White. Last year's first-round pick, Kaiir Elam, started slowly in camp but has been gaining momentum in the competition with Dane Jackson and Christian Benford for the other outside cornerback position.
