The 2024 draft class for the Buffalo Bills has their first year under their belts and while there is some excitement, there is still a lot of room for growth. Believe it or not, the Bills’ top three drafted rookies from last year in Keon Coleman, Cole Bishop, and DeWayne Carter all dealt with injuries at different times in the season and it kept them from truly growing in their rookie seasons.
However, Bishop had success later down the stretch of the season and showed that he most likely can be a true impactful starter. Coleman and Carter, it’s still up in the air, especially Carter.
The best rookie the Bills drafted last year was running back Ray Davis without question. He was a fantastic RB2 behind James Cook and fans shouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the starter after 2025 if James Cook is not brought back.
For the Bills players that were drafted last year, a message was sent to them from this past draft that Brandon Beane delivered. Now, there are three players who may have a true uphill battle at making the final 53-man roster. I know that it seems unlikely that the Bills move on from draft picks from a year ago, but never say never.
3 Bills sophomores who will have a tough time make final 53-man roster
DE Javon Solomon
Personally, I don’t believe Javon Solomon has a ton to worry about but we can’t ignore what the Bills did in free agency and the draft. They signed edge rushers Joey Bosa and Michael Hoecht, while also drafting Landon Jackson in the third round who might just be a steal in the draft. With Greg Rousseau and A.J. Epenesa in the room already as well, Solomon could very well be facing a tough time at making the Bills roster in 2025.
DT DeWayne Carter
DeWayne Carter is a different matter. Last year’s third round pick for the Bills suffered a wrist injury that took him out for a significant amount of time and he then was a roster scratch down the stretch of the season. With already being behind Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones, Carter would be able to walk into this upcoming season and develop more than what he did in his rookie year.
The only problem is that the Bills signed Larry Ogunjobi, and drafted both T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker in the draft. Not to mention, the Bills traded up for both Sanders and Walker. Carter probably will end up on the final roster going into Week 1, but he has a ton of pressure to perform in training camp.
CB Daequan Hardy
Much like Carter, Daequan Hardy has too much competition to go up against to make the final roster. From the cornerback spot, the Bills brought back Tre’Davious White in free agency and drafted three corners, including Maxwell Hairston in the first round.
Now, Hardy does provide special teams value as he was an excellent return specialist in college but with the Bills signing Laviska Shenault, and already having Brandon Codrington, Hardy faces a massive uphill battle going into training camp.