The 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and the Buffalo Bills, along with their fans have a clearer view of their roster and how it might shake out this season. The Bills made six defensive selections out of the nine draft picks they made, in hopes to improve a very shaky unit in 2025.
A few of their rookies could force some already established veterans out of town, so let’s take a look at a few veterans who could be packing up for a new city.
3 Bills players in danger of not making Bills roster for 2025
CB Dane Jackson
The Bills have made quite a few additions to the secondary this year, specifically the cornerback position. After signing Dane Jackson and Tre White before the draft, they also selected Maxwell Hairston in the first round, and it might be safe to say Hairston will be the Week 1 starter next to Christian Benford.
So that leaves Jackson and White fighting for a position on this roster. With slot corner Brandon Codrington locked into his kick returner role, he’d be a safe bet to make the team. The Bills don’t contractually owe Jackson much money, and releasing him would only create $567k in dead cap space, according to Spotrac.
DE AJ Epenesa
The Bills made a handful of additions to the edge this year, with Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, and Landon Jackson coming into a rebuilt defensive line. So, where does that leave some of the guys already rostered?
The Bills gave Epenesa a two-year/$12M extension in 2024, and with one year remaining on his contract, could look to trade him in favor of some younger and cheaper options. Javon Solomon, last year's fifth-round pick, made an impact on special teams as well as having an impact on defense and should remain on the roster this year. By trading Epenesa, the Bills would save $6.2M, according to Spotrac.
WR Laviska Shenault
The Bills very likely could keep six receivers heading into the season, but the sixth receiver would have to specifically play on special teams. Shenault can return kicks, but Kaden Prather, the Bills' seventh-round pick, stands at 6’3 and runs a 4.46 and could make a case to be kept for a gunner role.
Shenault comes to Buffalo after spending the 2024 season with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers, and likely already had an outside chance to make the roster. Now after adding Prathers through the draft and Elijah Moore in free agency, Shenault’s chances of making the roster are growing slimmer by the day.