This Bills position group features one of the NFL’s ‘best training camp battles’

The Buffalo Bills enter their 2024 training camp with a revamped roster, uncharacteristic for the current team; significant roster changes have been rare for Buffalo in recent years as the team has attempted to extend its Super Bowl window, but that’s not the case heading into the new campaign, as the Bills have parted ways with loyal starters like Stefon Diggs, Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Tre’Davious White, Mitch Morse and Gabriel Davis this offseason.

And while there aren’t many roster spots up for grabs throughout camp, there are potentially big roles up for grabs, especially in the revamped receiving corps that lost Diggs and Davis in the spring. Third-year wide receiver Khalil Shakir, free agent Curtis Samuel and rookie Keon Coleman should lead the way, with veterans Mack Hollins and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on the roster in complementary roles. Players like Chase Claypool, Andy Isabella, KJ Hamler, Justin Shorter and Tyrell Shavers are competing for a roster spot or two.

It’s the availability of targets at the top of the unit (Diggs and Davis are leaving behind a combined 241 targets) and the overall ragtag nature of the group that has piqued the interest of CBS Sports reporter Cody Benjamin, who recently identified Buffalo’s wide receiver room as one of the league’s most interesting position battles to watch throughout training camp.

Related: Bills to hold joint training camp with AFC North team this summer

“With Stefon Diggs gone, the Bills will no longer deploy a true No. 1, instead relying on a multitude of chess pieces,” Benjamin wrote. “Samuel and Shakir are prime candidates to occupy the slot, with Valdes-Scantling serving as a deep outside threat and Coleman using his jump-ball skills in the red zone.”

As Benjamin alludes, the Bills plan to take a democratic approach to aerial production without Diggs; without a proven alpha wideout expecting a large portion of the targets, quarterback Josh Allen will have the opportunity to spread the ball around, which could lead to increased offensive cohesion and perhaps better efficiency.

Benjamin mentions Samuel and Shakir as “top-tier” candidates, but Shakir seems the most likely person to fill the role; he emerged in his sophomore season as a mainstay on 11 teams’ personnel, catching 20 passes for 363 yards after Joe Brady was promoted to interim offensive coordinator midway through the campaign. His role will expand in 2024, with Samuel projecting to be a versatile weapon who spends time on both the flanks and in the backfield; Brady recently said the 27-year-old will do “a little bit of everything” for the offense.

Related: Bills get average retrospective grade for Stefon Diggs offseason trade

The author may be a bit optimistic about Valdes-Scantling, as he may be assigning some of Coleman’s role to the two-time Super Bowl champion. A big-time wide receiver who should have a prominent offensive role, the Bills are likely hoping for some on-field production from Coleman, as he is currently projected as the team’s X-receiver.

We’d also be remiss to talk about Buffalo’s passing attack without mentioning second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid, who recorded 91 targets as a rookie. His role should also increase given the departures of Diggs and Davis, and he could reasonably finish the 2024 season as the Bills’ leading targets.

Although it is easy to project what we think Buffalo’s receiving corps will ultimately look like this, circumstances will change over the course of camp as certain players emerge, unexpected roles become more suited to certain players, etc. That’s why this is one of the most interesting training camp battles in the league – we just don’t know yet. WHO will be the primary receiver for one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks. The competition will begin when the Bills’ training camp begins on July 24.

— Get free Bills coverage from Buffalo Bills on SI —