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Landon Jackson isn't just fighting for playing time anymore.

He might actually be fighting for a starting job with the Buffalo Bills.

Jackson entered training camp working his way back from injury, learning Jim Leonhard's defense and adjusting to a new position. But Leonhard said Jackson eventually started to “own” the areas where he needed to improve.

Now we're seeing it translate.

Jackson started against Carolina and then reportedly generated a tackle for loss during red-zone work in Buffalo's joint practice against Cleveland. Even the Bills' own preview has raised the possibility that another strong performance could put Jackson into consideration for a starting role.

That's a massive jump.

Plus, Jordan Hancock is making his own push for Buffalo's final 53. After recording four tackles and two tackles for loss against Carolina, Hancock intercepted Deshaun Watson during joint practice against Cleveland. His versatility in the secondary could make his roster case even stronger.

Saturday isn't about Josh Allen or Buffalo's established stars.

It's about players like Landon Jackson and Jordan Hancock proving they deserve significant roles on this team.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #LandonJackson #JordanHancock #JimLeonhard #NFL

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Jim Leonhard's Buffalo Bills defense just gave us another glimpse of how dangerous it could be in 2026.

Buffalo's pass rush showed up against the Cleveland Browns during Thursday's joint practice.

Greg Rousseau reportedly recorded two sacks. Michael Hoecht generated a tackle for loss and a pressure as he continues working his way back. Bradley Chubb generated pressure during two-minute work.

And it wasn't only the veterans.

TJ Sanders and Landon Jackson reportedly generated tackles for loss during red-zone work, while Jordan Hancock intercepted Deshaun Watson and Maxwell Harrison broke up a potential touchdown.

Buffalo's defense might be deeper than we realized.

Plus, did Josh Allen just take his final meaningful snaps before Week 1? Buffalo's starters received roughly 40-50 reps against Cleveland, and after Allen already played well against Carolina, there might not be much left to prove in preseason.

But there is one player I absolutely want to see Saturday: Tyler Bass.

Bass reportedly missed four of six field goals during joint practice after also missing a 45-yarder against Carolina. I'm not hitting the panic button yet, especially after he missed last season with an injury, but I'm officially watching this situation closely.

Protect Josh Allen. Evaluate everyone else.

And let's see Tyler Bass respond.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JimLeonhard #GregRousseau #JoshAllen #TylerBass #NFL

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These Buffalo Bills have something to prove in Saturday’s preseason matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

One of Buffalo’s most important position battles is happening at left guard, where Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett are competing for the opportunity to start alongside Josh Allen. Anderson appears to have the early advantage, but the preseason gives both players an opportunity to start separating themselves.

On defense, all eyes are on T.J. Parker and Kaleb Elarms-Orr. Parker enters with the expectations that come with being Buffalo’s top draft pick, while Elarms-Orr has become one of the biggest stories of Bills training camp.

Can Parker show the impact Buffalo drafted him to provide? Can Elarms-Orr prove the summer hype is real? And who takes control of that starting left guard job?

Forget the preseason scoreboard. These are the performances that could actually impact Buffalo’s depth chart.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #NFLPreseason #JoshAllen #TJParkeR

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Forget the final score. There are four things that matter much more for the Buffalo Bills in their preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers.

First, the QB2 competition between Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele gets its first major test. Can either quarterback prove he's a reliable option behind Josh Allen?

Then there's WR3. Keon Coleman has been viewed as the favorite, but a healthy Joshua Palmer is making plays and earning significant praise from Joe Brady and Pete Carmichael.

Defensively, we finally get our first live look at Jim Leonhard's new system against another team. Don't expect Buffalo to reveal everything schematically — watch the tackling, energy, communication and how quickly this defense plays.

And above everything else: stay healthy.

Josh Allen and Buffalo's starters are expected to play, while several important Bills are coming off injury issues. Joe Brady wants his team to experience a real game together, but Buffalo needs to get the work it needs and get its stars off the field safely.

What are YOU watching closest against Carolina?

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #NFLPreseason #KeonColeman

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The Buffalo Bills WR3 competition may be much closer than expected.

Joshua Palmer is finally healthy, making plays downfield and showing serious speed in training camp. Bills head coach Joe Brady even called Palmer an “invaluable asset” and suggested he may have reached one of the fastest max speeds of anyone in camp.

That could put serious pressure on Keon Coleman entering his make-or-break third season.

Meanwhile, there isn't much uncertainty at WR1. DJ Moore is already making his presence felt, with Brady saying you can “feel him” on the football field. Now Josh Allen and Moore get their first preseason opportunity to continue building chemistry against the Carolina Panthers.

DJ Moore looks established. Khalil Shakir has his role. But Coleman vs. Palmer? That's becoming one of Buffalo's most interesting offensive battles.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KeonColeman #JoshuaPalmer #DJMoore #JoshAllen 

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Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills starters are expected to PLAY against the Carolina Panthers in their 2026 NFL preseason opener — and head coach Joe Brady explained exactly why. There’s obvious risk involved with putting one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks on the field in August, but Brady wants his team experiencing a real game together. New head coach. New defensive system. New stadium. And a new standard Brady is trying to establish in Buffalo. Beyond Josh Allen, Brady isn't focused on the preseason scoreboard. He's evaluating physicality, tackling, communication, finishing plays and whether the Bills actually LOOK like the team he wants them to become. Saturday is our first opportunity to see what the Joe Brady era of Buffalo Bills football is supposed to look like. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #JoeBrady #NFLPreseason

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Keon Coleman knows exactly what is at stake entering Year 3 with the Buffalo Bills. After two disappointing seasons, discipline issues and major changes to Buffalo’s wide receiver room, Coleman enters the 2026 NFL preseason facing serious competition for opportunities. DJ Moore is the new WR1, Khalil Shakir is established, Joshua Palmer is healthy and Skyler Bell is trying to climb the depth chart. Coleman says he understands “what’s at stake,” believes Joe Brady becoming head coach could be huge for his career and expects to be more involved in the Bills offense. But as Coleman himself said: when the football finds you, make the play — because the next guy will. Plus, Jackson Hawes could be quietly preparing for a much bigger Year 2. After spending roughly eight weeks training with Spencer Brown this offseason, Hawes could become an important piece of Buffalo’s physical rushing attack alongside James Cook. Two Bills. Two very different situations. And two players worth watching against the Carolina Panthers. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KeonColeman #JacksonHawes #NFLPreseason

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Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard has made it clear what he wants to see from his defense against the Carolina Panthers in NFL Preseason Week 1 — and it starts with fixing one of Buffalo’s biggest problems from last season. TACKLING. Leonhard called tackling an “Achilles heel” for the Bills last season and wants to see Buffalo play physical, finish plays and get multiple defenders to the football against Carolina. But there’s another important wrinkle: don’t expect to see the REAL Jim Leonhard defense yet. Leonhard acknowledged Buffalo has an advantage with opponents having no tape of his complete Bills defense and said you have to “hold some cards in your sleeve.” So don’t expect every exotic pressure, alignment or wrinkle during the preseason. Instead, watch the fundamentals and individual performances from players like Ed Oliver, T.J. Parker, T.J. Sanders and Andre Jones. Can Buffalo tackle? Can they finish? And how much of Leonhard’s actual defense will we see before the games count? #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JimLeonhard #NFLPreseason #NFL 

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The Buffalo Bills open the 2026 NFL preseason against the Carolina Panthers, and the final score isn't what matters. There are JOBS to be won. Buffalo enters Preseason Week 1 with two fascinating offensive battles: Who can Josh Allen trust as QB2? And which wide receiver will separate himself behind DJ Moore and Khalil Shakir? Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele are competing for the backup quarterback job, and Bills OC Pete Carmichael has made it clear: this is an OPEN competition. At wide receiver, the pressure is on Keon Coleman entering a make-or-break Year 3. Joshua Palmer is healthy and making plays downfield, while rookie Skyler Bell continues to handle everything Buffalo has thrown at him. Five players. Two major position battles. Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, Skyler Bell, Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele all have something to prove against Carolina. Preseason football might not count in the standings — but for these guys, this game absolutely matters. Subscribe to Locked On Bills Hit for Buffalo Bills news, analysis, reaction, original Shorts and quick daily podcasts throughout the 2026 NFL season. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KeonColeman #NFL #JoshAllen

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Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is shaking up the offense, prioritizing more opportunities for explosive running back James Cook both on the ground and as a receiving threat. Drawing on his successes with stars like Alvin Kamara and Darren Sproles in New Orleans, Carmichael’s approach could position Cook as a true MVP candidate beyond just the running game. With the preseason approaching, all eyes are on how Cook’s expanded arsenal will unfold in Buffalo’s attack. The wide receiver rotation gets strategic as DJ Moore’s speed and versatility headline a reinvented pass-catching corps. Intentional movement of targets—including Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid—aims to maximize mismatches while sticking to the Bills’ core offensive concepts. With Josh Palmer flashing big-play potential and rookie Skyler Bell vying for depth chart security, competition heats up. Could this diverse aerial approach be just what Josh Allen and the Bills need to keep AFC defenses guessing?

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Buffalo Bills WR Keon Coleman enters a make-or-break 2026 NFL season with NO MORE EXCUSES. After two disappointing seasons, discipline issues and inconsistent production, the former No. 33 overall pick may be running out of opportunities in Buffalo. But Josh Allen has already noticed a shift in Coleman’s mindset, Joe Brady continues to believe in his potential, and Year 3 could finally give the Bills their answer. Coleman leads off my ranking of the 5 Buffalo Bills I’m MOST excited to watch in 2026. Can Coleman finally break out? Could Jim Leonhard unlock Ed Oliver? Can James Cook add another dimension to his game? Will Josh Allen finally bring a Super Bowl to Buffalo? And did Brandon Beane finally find Allen his first true WR1 since Stefon Diggs in DJ Moore? Let me know which Bills player YOU are most excited to watch in 2026. Subscribe to Locked On Bills Hit for quick Buffalo Bills podcasts, original Shorts, Bills news, analysis and reaction throughout the 2026 NFL season.

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O’Cyrus Torrence just landed a massive contract extension with the Buffalo Bills — but did Brandon Beane pay too much? Torrence’s four-year, $78.4 million extension with $46 million guaranteed puts him among the NFL’s highest-paid guards. He’s been an absolute force in the run game, rarely misses time and has become an important part of the offensive line protecting Josh Allen. But there are still legitimate questions about his pass protection and whether his overall game warrants nearly $20 million per year. Here’s the bigger question: does the money even matter? Brandon Beane has already locked up Josh Allen, James Cook, Terrel Bernard, Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, Connor McGovern, Spencer Brown and now O’Cyrus Torrence. Despite Buffalo’s upcoming salary-cap challenges, there aren't many major extensions still waiting around the corner. The Bills are trying to win a Super Bowl NOW. Is potentially overpaying Torrence better than creating another hole along Josh Allen’s offensive line? We break down the Torrence extension, Buffalo’s salary-cap situation and why Brandon Beane may have put the Bills in a better long-term position than it initially appears. #Bills #BuffaloBills #OCyrusTorrence #JoshAllen #BillsMafia #NFL 
 

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Joshua Palmer was handed a massive opportunity for the Buffalo Bills against the Cleveland Browns — and he took advantage. With Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir unavailable, Palmer received increased opportunities with Josh Allen and delivered. He made multiple catches and came down with one of the best plays of the joint practice, a contested touchdown in the red zone. That's exactly what Buffalo needed to see after weeks of training camp hype surrounding Palmer. Joe Brady has called him an “invaluable asset,” while Pete Carmichael has praised his ability to make plays downfield. Now we're finally seeing some of that translate against another NFL defense. I'm not saying Palmer has passed Coleman. But Coleman hasn't done enough through two NFL seasons to simply be handed WR3. If Palmer continues producing when opportunities come his way, this could become a legitimate position battle. And Palmer wasn't even the only Bills weapon to explode Thursday. Jackson Hawes caught multiple touchdowns from Josh Allen, Dalton Kincaid scored twice — including a roughly 55-yard touchdown during two-minute work — and Dawson Knox made plays as well. If Hawes can become a legitimate receiving threat in addition to his blocking ability, Buffalo's heavy personnel could become extremely difficult to defend. Joshua Palmer is pushing for WR3. And Josh Allen's tight end room might be deeper than we realized. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshuaPalmer #KeonColeman #JoshAllen #DaltonKincaid #NFL

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Your daily hit of Buffalo Bills news, trade rumors, game reactions, and sharp takes on everything happening with your team, all in five minutes or less. Done before your coffee is. New hits drop throughout the day, every day, all year long. Your Team. Every Day.

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The Buffalo Bills joint practice with the Cleveland Browns might actually be more important than Saturday's preseason game.

Josh Allen and Buffalo's starters are expected to get significant work against Cleveland in a controlled environment. If Joe Brady and the Bills see what they need to see, many of those veterans may not need to play much — or potentially at all — on Saturday.

The first thing I'm watching is Josh Allen and DJ Moore.

Moore only played 11 snaps against Carolina but finished with three catches for 61 yards, immediately showing the big-play potential Buffalo hoped it was getting. Now I want to see that connection continue developing against a different defense.

But I'm even more interested in Jim Leonhard's defense.

Buffalo intentionally kept things basic in its preseason opener, focusing on tackling, physicality and communication. Joint practices could give Leonhard more freedom to open up the scheme without putting everything on preseason film for the entire NFL.

More Josh Allen and DJ Moore. More of the real Jim Leonhard defense.

Thursday could be Buffalo's real preseason dress rehearsal.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #DJMoore #JimLeonhard #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills can officially forget about a potential Vita Vea trade — but Brandon Beane didn't leave the defensive line empty-handed.

Vea agreed to a new extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, shutting the door on one of the most exciting potential additions to Jim Leonhard's defense.

Meanwhile, Buffalo signed veteran defensive tackle Greg Gaines.

No, Gaines isn't Vita Vea. But he could fill an important role.

The 30-year-old gives Buffalo an experienced rotational option behind Deone Walker at nose tackle, which becomes especially important with Phidarian Mathis suspended for three games and DeWayne Carter working his way back from an Achilles injury.

Gaines could also give Leonhard more freedom to move Walker around the defensive front and hunt favorable matchups rather than forcing him to play stationary nose tackle snaps.

The Vita Vea dream is over. Now the question is simple:

Did the Buffalo Bills do enough by adding Greg Gaines?

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #VitaVea #GregGaines #NFL

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Kaleb Elarms-Orr isn't just a Buffalo Bills training camp hype story anymore. He has a legitimate opportunity to win a starting job. Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard called the competition between Elarms-Orr and Dorian Williams an "awesome battle" and said Elarms-Orr is going to be a great player, praising his athleticism, speed and physicality. But don't write off Dorian Williams. Leonhard praised Williams as well, and Buffalo has intentionally given both linebackers opportunities alongside Terrel Bernard. This is now a legitimate competition to watch as the Bills move closer to Week 1. Plus, Leonhard gave his assessment of Buffalo's first preseason defensive performance. After repeatedly emphasizing tackling as an area that needed improvement, he liked the aggression, speed and — most importantly — how the Bills tackled against Carolina. And Buffalo did it without revealing much of Leonhard's actual defensive scheme. The KEO hype was fun. Now it's getting real. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KalebElarmsOrr #DorianWilliams #JimLeonhard #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills had several notable players missing from Tuesday's practice ahead of their joint work with the Cleveland Browns. Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman were both absent, adding some questions to a Bills wide receiver room that has dealt with multiple availability issues. Coleman had already generated some concern after appearing to tweak something during Buffalo's preseason opener. The good news? DJ Moore was back practicing after his own scare against Carolina. Then there's Ed Oliver. After dealing with injury issues last season, seeing Oliver miss practice naturally gets your attention — but at this point, I'd rather Buffalo be cautious and make sure he's completely ready for Week 1 against Houston. Plus, Jalen Kilgore's absence is worth monitoring as he battles for a roster spot in the Bills secondary. Important or just interesting? #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KeonColeman #KhalilShakir #EdOliver #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills have some important decisions to make with their young defenders as preseason rolls on.

Rookie linebacker Caleb Elarms-Orr has generated plenty of buzz throughout camp, but the preseason opener showed there’s still development needed. With Dorian Williams entering a contract year, could Elarms-Orr eventually become Buffalo’s answer at linebacker?

Then there’s the battle for CB4.

Connie Walker flashed with an interception against Carolina, but Toriano Pride Jr. played significantly more snaps and contributed on special teams. For a depth corner fighting for a spot on the Bills' 53-man roster, that special-teams role could make all the difference.

What do you need to see from these young Bills against the Cleveland Browns?

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #CalebElarmsOrr #NFLPreseason #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills defensive line gave us A LOT to be excited about in the preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. Deone Walker might have been the biggest standout. Walker played only 10 snaps, but it felt like he was everywhere when he was on the field. If he takes another step alongside Ed Oliver in Jim Leonhard’s defense, Buffalo could have something dangerous developing up front. And it wasn't just Walker. Landon Jackson showed flashes in 21 snaps, Greg Rousseau looked like himself, and Mike Danna made a major statement with two sacks on the same drive while fighting for his place on the Bills roster. It's only one preseason game, and Buffalo still has discipline issues to clean up. But the early returns from Jim Leonhard's defensive front are extremely encouraging. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #DeoneWalker #JimLeonhard #NFLPreseason #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills opened the preseason with a 29-14 win over the Carolina Panthers, and there was A LOT to like.

Josh Allen looked sharp, completing 6-of-8 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown, while DJ Moore immediately showed what he can bring to Buffalo’s offense with three catches for 61 yards on four targets.

Keon Coleman stepped up with a touchdown. The QB2 battle delivered. Buffalo’s running back depth flashed.

And Jim Leonhard’s defense came out flying.

Deone Walker continued his impressive rise, Mike Danna recorded two sacks, T.J. Parker got to the quarterback and Buffalo finished with four sacks overall.

The biggest concern? Penalties. Buffalo has some discipline issues to clean up, and Joshua Palmer was one player I wanted to see more from.

But overall? This was about as encouraging of a preseason opener as Bills fans could have asked for.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #DJMoore #NFLPreseason #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Cleveland Browns with a dominant 31-7 preseason victory.

Even without Josh Allen and the starters, there was plenty to like. Kyle Allen made a strong case that Buffalo’s QB2 battle may be settled, completing 10-of-12 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Shane Buechele also had some impressive moments as the Bills showed they may not need to look outside the organization for quarterback help.

Defensively, Buffalo responded after a slow opening drive. Joe Andreessen was all over the field, Landon Jackson continued his impressive summer, and Damar Hamlin came away with an interception. Jackson, in particular, continues to look like a player who could earn significant snaps in Jim Leonhard’s defense this season.

Plus, Tyler Bass responded exactly how Buffalo needed him to. After some recent concerns, Bass went 5-for-5 on his kicks, including a 52-yard field goal.

Now comes the difficult part: roster cuts, potential trades and final position battles.

Who helped themselves the most against Cleveland?

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #KyleAllen #LandonJackson #TylerBass #NFL

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Trent Sherfield is making the Buffalo Bills' final wide receiver decision much more difficult.

Sherfield took advantage of his opportunity against the Cleveland Browns, catching all four of his targets for 54 yards while several of Buffalo's receivers ahead of him on the depth chart didn't play.

But Joe Brady's comments after the game might be even more important.

Brady didn't only praise Sherfield's production as a receiver. He pointed toward Sherfield drawing a penalty, making a tackle on special teams, his selflessness throughout the process and how badly he wants to remain in Buffalo.

That's how a veteran on the roster bubble makes himself valuable.

With injuries becoming a factor in Buffalo's receiver room and special teams potentially influencing the final WR spots, Sherfield has earned a legitimate opportunity to make the 53.

Plus, I think we can finally end Buffalo's QB2 debate.

After weeks of questions surrounding Kyle Allen and Shane Buechele, both quarterbacks performed well against Cleveland — and Kyle Allen has done enough for me to feel comfortable with him backing up Josh Allen.

Two players entered Cleveland with something to prove.

Both left with a much clearer path to Buffalo's 53-man roster.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #TrentSherfield #KyleAllen #JoshAllen #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills might have a seventh-round pick who's playing too well to hide.

Ar'Maj Reed-Adams has quickly become one of Buffalo's most interesting roster decisions after putting together two encouraging preseason performances.

Against Cleveland, Reed-Adams started at right guard and played 59 offensive snaps — nearly 20 more than any other Bills offensive player. And he's doing more than simply surviving those opportunities. He's starting to look like someone who could legitimately provide depth on Buffalo's interior offensive line.

That's where Brandon Beane has a decision to make.

Can Buffalo really risk exposing Reed-Adams to waivers and hope to get him onto the practice squad? Or has the seventh-round rookie already played himself onto the 53-man roster?

Meanwhile, fourth-round pick Jude Bowery presents almost the exact opposite problem.

Buffalo invested too much in the developmental tackle to give up on him, but Bowery surrendered another sack against Cleveland before leaving with an injury and later being seen in a walking boot. Right now, Reed-Adams appears considerably closer to actually helping Buffalo on Sundays.

One rookie might be too good to hide.

The other might not be ready to play.

And that's going to make Buffalo's final offensive line decisions fascinating.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #ArMajReedAdams #JudeBowery #BrandonBeane #NFL

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Skyler Bell and Dorian Williams aren't fighting to make the Buffalo Bills roster Thursday night.

They're fighting for something much more interesting: their Week 1 roles.

Bell hasn't appeared in a preseason game yet, but that should change against Cleveland. Joe Brady says the fourth-round rookie had an outstanding offseason and Buffalo deliberately avoided rushing him back before he was fully healthy.

Now the circumstances around him have changed.

With injuries throughout Buffalo's receiver room, Bell could be needed earlier than originally expected. Josh Allen praised the rookie for taking mental reps, learning the offense and asking veterans like DJ Moore and Joshua Palmer questions while he couldn't practice.

Thursday isn't about Bell putting up 100 yards.

It's about proving he can operate Buffalo's offense at NFL speed.

Then there's Dorian Williams.

He's waited years for a legitimate opportunity to become a starting linebacker in Buffalo. Now he's finally getting it — except Kaleb Elarms-Orr has turned it into a legitimate competition.

Williams is entering a contract year. He knows this opportunity could determine his future in Buffalo.

Two players. Two very different battles.

And Thursday could tell us a lot about where both fit when Week 1 arrives.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #SkylerBell #DorianWilliams #KalebElarmsOrr #BillsNews #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills have two preseason standouts who might be making themselves too difficult to hide on the practice squad.

Start with Ian Wheeler.

Wheeler carried the ball 14 times for 56 yards against Cleveland, but the numbers aren't what make him interesting. It's how he runs — quick, explosive and twitchy before becoming physical and violent once contact arrives.

Buffalo already has James Cook, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, with Frank Gore Jr. also competing for an opportunity. But Wheeler has now put enough on tape that Buffalo has to consider whether he'd actually clear waivers.

And Ja’Marrick Maclin may have created the same problem.

The undrafted rookie exploded for 108 yards and a touchdown on just two receptions against Cleveland, including a 71-yard catch and run.

Joe Brady's reaction was even more encouraging.

He praised Maclin's intelligence and ability to play multiple receiver positions while explaining how Maclin remained mentally engaged despite injuries costing him valuable offseason opportunities.

Neither Wheeler nor Maclin entered camp with a guaranteed roster spot.

Now the question isn't whether Buffalo likes them.

It's whether the Bills can risk letting the rest of the NFL have them.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #IanWheeler #JaMarrickMaclin #JoeBrady #BillsNews #NFL

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Greg Gaines might be considerably more important to the Buffalo Bills defense than we originally thought. And it starts with Deone Walker. Gaines showed exactly what an experienced nose tackle can provide against Cleveland: stack blockers, control his space, reset the line of scrimmage and handle the dirty work inside. That could give Jim Leonhard significantly more freedom with Walker. Instead of asking a player with Walker's size and athleticism to constantly live at nose tackle and absorb double teams, Buffalo can move him around the defensive front, attack favorable matchups and potentially create more one-on-one opportunities for Walker and Ed Oliver. But there's another side to the Gaines addition. What does it mean for Dwayne Carter? Carter made plays against Cleveland, including a tackle for loss and getting his hands on a pass. But he was also playing deep into the fourth quarter — something worth monitoring this late in the preseason. Buffalo's defensive line is getting crowded. If Gaines proves he can reliably handle those interior snaps, Carter could suddenly find himself fighting for his place on the 53-man roster. Greg Gaines might simultaneously make Deone Walker more dangerous and create one of Buffalo's most surprising roster decisions. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #GregGaines #DeoneWalker #DwayneCarter #JimLeonhard #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills kept FOUR tight ends and ZERO fullbacks on their initial 53-man roster.

That might tell us a lot about what Joe Brady wants this offense to become.

Buffalo kept Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes and Kaliki Latu while moving on from its traditional fullbacks.

But I don't think that means the Bills are abandoning everything a fullback brought to this offense.

They may just be changing WHO does it.

Hawes and Latu potentially give Buffalo players who can motion across the formation, operate as H-backs, lead block and handle some of the dirty work in the running game.

And that could have a major impact on Dalton Kincaid.

Instead of consistently asking Kincaid to handle traditional tight end responsibilities, Buffalo could move him around the formation and create mismatches as a receiver.

Four tight ends doesn't necessarily mean four players doing the same job.

It could give Brady four completely different pieces to work with.

Then there's seventh-round rookie Ar'maj Reed-Adams.

Reed-Adams played well enough throughout the preseason that Buffalo ultimately decided it couldn't risk exposing him to waivers.

The Bills kept 10 offensive linemen despite Reed-Adams currently offering limited positional versatility.

That tells me something.

Buffalo believes there's something worth developing.

Maybe Reed-Adams spends 2026 learning behind veterans like Alec Anderson and Austin Corbett.

And maybe, when we're talking about Buffalo's offensive line next offseason, the Bills already have another legitimate option sitting on their roster.

For a seventh-round pick?

That's exactly the kind of developmental win you're looking for.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #DaltonKincaid #JoeBrady #Bills #NFL #BillsNews

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The Buffalo Bills have their initial 53-man roster. And there are TWO defensive decisions I did not see coming. First, Buffalo is entering the week with only three true outside cornerbacks: Christian Benford, Maxwell Hairston and Davison Igbinosun. That's surprisingly light for a team that has spent so much time talking about improving its cornerback depth. So why would Brandon Beane be comfortable doing it? Jordan Hancock might be the answer. Hancock's emergence in the slot potentially gives Buffalo some flexibility with Taron Johnson, who has experience playing outside if the Bills need another option. But I'm still not convinced this cornerback room is finished. Then there's the EDGE room. Buffalo kept SIX outside linebackers, including Mike Danna. Danna had a good camp and brings NFL experience and positional versatility, but I didn't expect Buffalo to go this heavy at the position. And I have a theory about why they couldn't risk cutting him. What happens if Buffalo releases Danna and Kansas City immediately calls? Danna spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Chiefs. Kansas City knows exactly what he provides, and Buffalo knows it could potentially be handing a useful veteran right back to one of its biggest AFC competitors. Was that actually part of Brandon Beane's thinking? Maybe. Either way, six outside linebackers and only three true outside corners might be the most fascinating defensive decision on Buffalo's initial 53. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #Bills #BrandonBeane #MikeDanna #NFL #BillsNews
 

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The Buffalo Bills might have given us a major clue about their starting linebacker competition Thursday night. Dorian Williams didn't play. Kaleb Elarms-Orr did. After spending training camp hearing about a legitimate competition between Williams and KEO, that's difficult to completely ignore. It doesn't guarantee Williams starts every snap against Houston. Buffalo could still rotate its linebackers. But when other players the Bills appear to view as starters were also held out of the preseason finale, Williams joining them on the sideline certainly feels significant. And after waiting since 2023 for this opportunity, Williams might finally have his starting job. But Buffalo's other linebacker battle just became much more complicated. If the Bills keep only four inside linebackers, Terrel Bernard, Williams and Elarms-Orr appear to occupy three spots. That could leave Joe Andreessen vs. Keonta Jenkins for the final one. Andreessen couldn't make his final argument against Pittsburgh because of an apparent injury. Jenkins did. He recorded a sack on Pittsburgh's first offensive play, made another big third-down tackle and showed the speed, coverage ability and versatility that could fit extremely well in Jim Leonhard's defense. Buffalo Joe might be the better traditional linebacker. But Jenkins might have the skill set that's harder for Buffalo to replace. And that could make this one of the toughest decisions on the entire 53-man roster. #BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #DorianWilliams #JoeAndreessen #KeontaJenkins #KalebElarmsOrr #BillsNews #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills preseason is over, but there's still one problem I don't think they've solved.

Who do you actually trust to return punts?

I'm not asking Buffalo to find the next Devin Hester.

Just catch the football and give Josh Allen another possession.

That's why what happened against Pittsburgh concerns me.

Ray Davis has been getting opportunities at punt returner throughout the preseason, but after muffing what appeared to be a routine punt against Pittsburgh, the Steelers quickly turned the mistake into a touchdown.

Imagine that happening in Week 1.

Buffalo's defense gets a huge stop. Josh Allen is waiting on the sideline for another possession.

And he never gets it.

That's the problem.

But this could also impact Buffalo's final 53-man roster.

Mecole Hardman gives the Bills an experienced return option, but keeping him could complicate the WR6 decision with Trent Sherfield.

And I really like what Sherfield gives Buffalo.

He had four catches for 54 yards against Cleveland, contributes as a gunner and has received praise from Joe Brady for his receiving, special teams ability and leadership.

So what does Buffalo do?

Trust Davis? Keep Hardman? Use Khalil Shakir or Keon Coleman? Find somebody outside the organization?

Brandon Beane said roughly 50 roster spots were already locked in entering the preseason finale.

This seemingly boring punt-return question could help determine one of the final three.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #JoshAllen #RayDavis #MecoleHardman #TrentSherfield #BillsNews #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills are officially your undefeated preseason champions.

Hang the banner.

Okay, maybe not.

But Buffalo closed out the preseason 3-0 with a 28-27 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and there was plenty to like from the finale.

Shane Buechele got the entire game at quarterback and made the most of his opportunity. Playing behind a makeshift offensive line, Buechele finished 26-of-38 for 196 yards and helped lead Buffalo down the field for the eventual game-winning score.

Then Joe Brady made my favorite decision of the night.

Go for two. Go win the game.

Yes, it's preseason. But for a first-year head coach trying to establish a culture and turn this into a player-led locker room, I think those little decisions matter.

And then there's Skyler Bell.

What a debut.

The rookie led Buffalo in both rushing and receiving, catching seven passes for 49 yards on 10 targets while adding a 28-yard touchdown on an end-around.

After injuries kept Bell out of Buffalo's first two preseason games, he finally got his opportunity — and absolutely took advantage of it.

T.J. Parker flashed defensively. Daequan Jenkins made another strong case for a roster spot. Buffalo's defense made the stop when it needed one late.

There were mistakes, particularly on special teams, and we'll get into those.

But overall?

There's a lot to feel good about as the Bills turn their attention toward roster cuts and Week 1.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #SkylerBell #ShaneBuechele #JoeBrady #TJParker #BillsNews #NFL

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The Buffalo Bills preseason finale doesn't matter in the standings.

For several players fighting for jobs and roles? It could be one of the most important games they play all year.

Kyle Allen has one more opportunity to finally end Buffalo's QB2 competition. After going 10-of-12 for 128 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland, I thought he had already won the job. Joe Brady says the competition with Shane Buechele is still ongoing.

Fine. Settle it against Pittsburgh.

Then there are Ja'Marrick Maclin and Ian Wheeler.

Maclin exploded for 108 receiving yards against Cleveland, while Wheeler continues showing the quick, physical running style that's made him one of Buffalo's more intriguing preseason players. Now both have another opportunity to make themselves extremely difficult to expose to waivers.

And defensively, my eyes are on T.J. Sanders.

Buffalo's 2025 second-round pick is entering Year 2, and it's time to start seeing more. I'm not calling him a bust. I don't need three sacks. I need a few reps where Sanders' athleticism and physicality jump off the screen and remind us why Buffalo invested such a valuable pick in him.

Preseason Week 3 is about the final 53.

And these Bills have one last chance to make their case.

#BuffaloBills #BillsMafia #KyleAllen #TJSanders #JaMarrickMaclin #IanWheeler #NFL

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