Offseason programs are set to begin very soon for the Buffalo Bills, with rookie minicamp starting on May 8th, then OTAs will kick off on May 18th. Eventually, mandatory minicamp will take place on June 9th. After their first wave of free agency moves and drafting ten rookies, the coaching staff will soon start to see how this roster could pan out when the Bills run out onto the field in Week 1 in September.
Every offseason, teams make additions that get fans excited, but could also make current players a bit nervous. Competition is always happening and messages are sent to players all the time when additions occur.
The Bills made some additions this offseason that put some players on notice, and now they are facing immediate pressure as soon as early on in the summer well before training camp. We have listed three players who are going to have to show that they rightfully deserve a roster spot, let alone meaningful playing time with the Bills during the 2026 season.
3 Bills who face immediate pressure to succeed in offseason programs
3.) OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger
Before the NFL’s legal tampering period opened up before free agency, the Bills managed to strike a deal with Connor McGovern to bring him back on a four-year deal. That pretty much makes Sedrick Van Pran-Granger the future backup for McGovern. However, the Bills also signed Lloyd Cushenberry who has played center for both the Broncos and Titans.
While Cushenberry could play center and guard, it still puts Van Pran-Granger in a tough spot to even make the roster. He will need to shine early on in May and June to impress the coaching staff.
2.) S Damar Hamlin
It was very surprising that the Bills brought back Damar Hamlin back on another one-year deal. He didn’t just decide to come back, he signed a deal with Buffalo after the Bills had already signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone. The Bills then drafted Jalon Kilgore in the 5th round, which adds even more competition on who will be the running mate next to Cole Bishop.
It truly does feel like Hamlin might just be a training camp player because of the type of player Jim Leonhard wants on his defense. Maybe he’s nothing more than a depth player who might play on special teams, but Hamlin faces an uphill battle this summer.
1.) WR Mecole Hardman Jr.
Mecole Hardman signed with the Bills after the trade deadline passed, but only played in two regular season games due to injury and then played once in the playoffs against the Broncos. Buffalo brought him back for another year, but with the additions of D.J. Moore and Skyler Bell, Hardman will have even more competition to make onto the roster.
The Bills have Moore and Bell along with Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir. Not to mention, Tyrell Shavers proved his worth last season but is currently dealing with rehabbing an ACL injury. Hardman’s best chance to impress the coaching staff might be on kickoff/punt returns.
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