3 Fascinating Storylines to Watch at the Bills’ 2024 NFL Minicamp

Buffalo’s mandatory 2023 minicamp got off to a less-than-ideal start when perennial Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs skipped opening day, sparking a 24-hour frenzy that culminated when head coach Sean McDermott told reporters he was “very concerned.” about the open sea. Diggs returned the next day, but his absence indicated that his relationship with the organization was not as healthy as many had assumed; the team ultimately traded him to the Houston Texans during the 2024 offseason.

The potential absences from this year’s minicamp don’t seem as high-profile as Diggs’, but they’re still important to keep an eye on. Starting cornerback Rasul Douglas is a player to watch in that regard: the 29-year-old, whom the team acquired from the Green Bay Packers at last year’s trade deadline, has not been scouted in any of the team’s voluntary OTAs. He was not contractually obligated to report, and some veterans simply prefer to conduct their own workouts during the offseason. Douglas also missed voluntary workouts during his time in Green Bay.

That said, the defensive back is entering the final year of his contract and his absence is therefore notable. At present, this appears to be a potential obstacle to the contract, but it does not appear to be trending in that direction; Douglas’ presence will be something to watch out for on June 11.

Wide receiver hierarchy

Buffalo’s receiving corps saw significant turnover in the offseason; Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis left in the spring, with the team replacing them on the depth chart with rookie Keon Coleman and free agents Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Bills hope to spread the vacant production among those pass catchers in addition to third-year contributor Khalil Shakir and second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid this season.

The team’s pass-catching corps, while revamped, seems rather set in stone: Kincaid appears to be quarterback Josh Allen’s primary target while Coleman, Samuel and Shakir lead the way in the receiving corps. That said, we’re early enough in the offseason that an under-the-radar player could play a pretty big role in the rotation with consistent flashes.

Mack Hollins is a name to watch in this regard, as the 30-year-old journeyman has received consistent praise from Allen and Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane throughout the offseason. Chase Claypool is another player to watch; The 25-year-old, who is just a few years away from being considered one of the most promising young pass catchers in football, has reportedly flashed during OTAs and could still climb the depth chart with a strong performance in minicamp.

Names to watch further down the depth chart include KJ Hamler, Justin Shorter and Xavier Johnson; A former second-round pick who was plagued by injuries throughout his professional career, Beane recently said Hamler impressed during OTAs with his speed. Shorter is a recent fifth-round pick who spent his entire rookie year on injured reserve but, in theory, is a big-bodied, red-zone option. Johnson, an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State, is a fun gadget player like Buffalo doesn’t have on its roster; it will be interesting to see if the team has any initial plans for him.

Flashes under the radar?

Building on the Hamler-Shorter-Johnson idea, it will be fascinating to see if players seemingly buried on Buffalo’s depth chart better position themselves for a summer roster run with a strong minicamp outing.

Names to watch offensively include undrafted free agents Frank Gore Jr. and Gunner Britton. Gore Jr. is, as one might assume, the son of legendary NFL running back Frank Gore; he’s not as big as his father, but his elusiveness and ability to force missed tackles could offer a unique skill set to Buffalo’s backfield. Britton is a versatile offensive lineman with experience as a guard and tackle that the Bills value on the depth chart – he’s a wideout, but his path to the practice squad could start at minicamp.

Javon Solomon, Keni-H Lovley and Gable Steveson are names to watch defensively. A fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Solomon’s status is not in jeopardy, but it will be interesting to see how high he can climb the depth chart; the former Troy Trojan led the FBS in sacks last season with 16. Lovely is an undrafted cornerback who doesn’t have much competition at the bottom of the depth chart. Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist wrestler who signed with the team last month; Having never played defensive tackle – or football – before, it’s unfair to expect anything big from him right away, but it will be fascinating to see if his athleticism shines at minicamp.