5 players to watch during the Bills 2024 rookie minicamp

The Buffalo Bills are preparing to continue their offseason workouts with the start of their rookie minicamp on May 10. It’s a great opportunity to see players like wide receiver Keon Coleman, safety Cole Bishop and running back Ray Davis, all of whom were drafted by Buffalo in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it will also be the first look of undrafted free agents such as running back Frank Gore Jr. and receivers Lawrence Keys and Xavier Johnson.

Rookie minicamp is a great introduction to the preseason, as after minicamp ends, OTAs begin on May 20, with mandatory minicamp beginning on June 11.

Here are five rookies you should watch throughout minicamp.

WR Keon Coleman

Coleman has become a social media superstar since arriving at One Bills Drive, his infectious personality spreading through his opening press conference with smart shopping tips and his newfound love for Wegman’s cookies.

But what is he like on the ground? Coleman was an enigma in the pre-draft process, as his poor 40 appearances at the NFL Combine became a sticking point for some. However, he also turned the same heads by possessing one of the fastest glove drills at the same combine. Coleman looks the part though, his 6-foot-3 frame, incredible vertical and explosiveness are all breathtaking. His jump ball specialty became a myth during his one-year tenure at Florida State.

But what is Coleman like when he’s in Joe Brady’s offense? Do you travel shorter routes? Trying to beat his man off the line of scrimmage? We won’t answer all of these questions on May 10, but we’ll start to get a better idea of ​​how he’ll fit into the Bills’ offense once minicamp ends.

DT DeWayne Carter

DeWayne Carter rocked Buffalo once he arrived at the facility after being drafted, like Coleman, but for Carter, it was due to his professionalism. ‘Mr. Duke impressed many with his intelligence and leadership in the pre-draft process; the three-time captain was chosen late in the third round, during which Carter told general manager Brandon Beane, “What took you so long?”

Carter is now part of a growing list of defensive linemen signed by the Bills during the McDermott-Beane regime. His size and power should be a welcome addition to the defensive front, and in theory his game should translate since he’s played against elite-level competition in the ACC.

Carter had 12 sacks during his time at Duke, so if he can get close to replicating those type of numbers in Buffalo, the Bills should have a dominant defensive front for years to come.

CB Daequan Hardy

Continuing on the defensive side of the ball, the Bills selected defensive back Daequan Hardy in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. Hardy is an explosive but undersized defensive back, who displayed speed, toughness and versatility during his stay at Penn State.

Sean McDermott’s prototypical cornerback.

Hardy is currently a dark horse to make waves as a defensive back due to his stature and draft status. Still, McDermott has proven to develop undersized and underrated cornerbacks, so there’s every chance Hardy could make a splash during rookie minicamp. But Hardy could have his biggest impact as a return man for the Bills; Hardy was an electric returner for the Nittany Lions, averaging 14.6 yards per punt return.

Running back Frank Gore Jr.

The Bills signed the son of former Buffalo Bill and NFL legend Frank Gore after the NFL Draft concluded on April 28. Gore Jr. spent his entire college career at the University of Southern Mississippi where he accumulated over 4,000 career rushing yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

Gore’s undrafted status could be because he was undersized, standing just 5-foot-8 and weighing 185 pounds. He also wasn’t incredibly prolific in the passing game, but he averaged an impressive 9.2 yards per reception. The Bills running back room is completely open, with only two players returning from the previous season, so Gore Jr. has an opportunity to earn a spot on Buffalo’s roster.

Bills G Keaton

What a name, huh?

The former Utah guard has a tough road ahead of him to make the roster, as the Bills have plenty of depth at the position. But he showed he was more than capable of opening holes in the running game and being a useful pass blocker in college, allowing just three sacks in his senior season. He was also considered by Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report to be the Bills’ most likely UDFA to make the roster, placing him above Gore Jr. and former Ohio State wide receiver Xavier Johnson.

There are a lot of interesting rookies that the Bills drafted or signed after the draft ended, and almost every rookie they drafted has a chance to make the team. So what does the Bills have in store for DE Javon Solomon, OT Tylan Grable or even former rugby player Travis Clayton?

We will start to find out on May 10.