Buffalo Bills Player to Watch at Each Position Throughout Training Camp

The Buffalo Bills begin training camp at St. John Fisher University in Rochester on July 24, which will be the first time fans will get to see the team’s new roster for the 2024 season. There are plenty of new faces at each position group given the offseason turnover, so we’ll take a look at which player you should be watching at each position.

Let’s not overthink it here: The Bills’ season hinges on the right arm of their star quarterback, Josh Allen. He’s an unpredictable talent, an elite creator who has proven himself to be one of the best players in the NFL. If Allen can cut down on his turnovers just a bit, the Bills will be in Super Bowl contention once again.

Related: 5 Bills Underdogs Who Could Set Off On-Field Fireworks in the 2024 NFL Season

The Bills are fortunate to have a solid starting running back heading into training camp, but they’re still trying to figure out who should be his replacement. Conventional wisdom says veteran Ty Johnson should take over as RB2, but rookie Ray Davis could throw a wrench in that. Davis and Johnson are similarly built, but the rookie is more explosive and a more versatile piece in the passing game.

We could have settled for “all of them” for the Bills’ receiving corps, but we want to keep a close eye on Steelers, Bears and Dolphins reject Chase Claypool. The Notre Dame product has struggled for effort and consistency throughout his career, but his productivity was noticed by reporters during Bills OTAs in June. If Claypool can finally put it all together, he’ll be a key piece of the Bills’ new offensive system.

Related: Are we convinced by the Chase Claypool hype during Bills OTAs?

Buffalo is expected to utilize its two star tight ends, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, in its passing game, which raises an interesting question: Given the team’s propensity to use tight ends in the passing attack, will there be a role for Quintin Morris? A converted receiver who has played primarily on special teams throughout his professional career, the 25-year-old has caught 10 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his two NFL seasons. He’s an interesting player who could, in theory, carve out a niche offensive role, and it will be interesting to see if he begins to do so in training camp.

The Bills’ offensive line took a hit this offseason when they let go of veteran center and fan favorite Mitch Morse. The Bills may have found his replacement in rookie center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. He won two national championships at the University of Georgia, was described as a “dog” by general manager Brandon Beane in post-draft interviews and was someone who wasn’t afraid to challenge the team’s leaders. And in college, he played with a quiet aggression and an incredible motor where he reached the second level with ease to make room for his running backs.

Related: Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady praises late-round draft pick’s talent, character

The Bills lost some depth on their defensive line this offseason, so rookie defensive coordinator Bobby Babich needs to look at the established stars on the defensive line. Gregory Rousseau has become a complete defensive end, impacting both the run and pass games. We want to see if he has made the jump to becoming a more dominant pass rusher. If he has, it will free up more cap space for players like Von Miller, AJ Epenesa and rookie Javon Solomon.

Matt Milano is one of the best linebackers in the NFL when he’s fully healthy, but that’s the question the Bills are asking themselves heading into training camp: Is he fully healthy? We’ve seen time and time again that players need half a season, if not a full season, to recover from an injury like Milano’s. And if he doesn’t, the Bills will have to answer the question of who will step in when he’s not able to play. The most likely choice would be second-year linebacker Dorian Williams, and while he showed flashes of form last season, the unit would be severely undersized.

This year looks to be a make-or-break year for Kaiir Elam, who is entering his third season with the Bills and has yet to make his mark on the team. Elam’s biggest issue during his time in Western New York is his consistency. He can make plays in coverage, as evidenced by his first career interception against Patrick Mahomes, but he has trouble with penalties and has struggled when the Bills play zone coverage. If Babich can get Elam more consistent, the Bills’ defensive secondary could be the best in the NFL.

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