Buffalo Bills make big jump in ESPN’s under-25 talent rankings

The Buffalo Bills made several cost-cutting moves this offseason. The team released Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse, Siran Neal and others to get under the salary cap. Buffalo also traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in early April. While many of the players the Bills got rid of were still playing at a high level, their salaries and ages factored into Buffalo’s decision-making.

Buffalo will likely rely on several young players to step up this season. While many new faces will need to establish themselves, the Bills have a few “blue chip” players under the age of 25.

In an article for ESPN Insider, Aaron Schatz ranked every team in the league based on their under-25 talent. This year, the Bills came in at No. 16. While that’s right in the middle of the pack, it’s a significant improvement over where the team was a year ago.

Here’s what Schatz had to say about the Bills’ under-25 talent.

2023 ranking: 29

Top actors: TE Dalton Kincaid, G O’Cyrus Torrence, EDGE Gregory Rousseau

Notable Graduated Players: LB Terrel Bernard

The Bills are a Super Bowl contender with plenty of young talent on their roster, but they won’t be as high up the rankings when we do these rankings again next year. All three of the Bills’ star players are 24 and will be from this list, as will running back James Cook and wide receiver Khalil Shakir.

As for the 23-and-under talent, second-round rookie receiver Keon Coleman (21) leads the way. Starting cornerback Christian Benford is just 23 and coming off a solid season (54 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles). Bills 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam (23) has disappointed and is on the depth chart behind Benford.

As Schatz mentioned, the Bills’ three star players won’t be eligible for the roster next season. However, the team has a few players who could emerge as stars in 2024.

Christian Benford looked like he was a starter at cornerback a season ago and could be the team’s No. 1 cornerback by 2025. Keon Coleman, also mentioned by Schatz, is expected to start his rookie season as the Bills’ X receiver. If Coleman produces early, he could be a top-tier player next year.

Other candidates for the Bills to emerge this season include Cole Bishop, Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DeWayne Carter and Daequan Hardy. Bishop will be competing for one of the team’s starting safety jobs this summer, and Pran-Granger could also find himself in the starting lineup at some point during his first year on the offensive line. Carter will likely be a key part of the Bills’ rotation at defensive tackle, and Hardy could immediately shine on special teams.

In addition to the Bills, here’s a look at how every other team in the AFC East stands.

The New York Jets came in at No. 11, thanks in part to Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, two Jets standouts. New York will likely lose ground in under-25 talent next year, as both players will no longer be on the roster. The New England Patriots came in at No. 25 on the list. New England is in the midst of a rebuild. If their young talent does well in 2024, the Patriots could be very high on this list next season. The Miami Dolphins came in last on the list.

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