There were some pressing needs for the Buffalo Bills coming into the 2025 NFL Draft. The majority consensus for Buffalo was defense, particularly the defensive line and cornerback. The Bills did add quite a bit of draft capital into those positions, and then some otherneeds like offensive line depth and competition for Cam Lewis as the hybrid defensive back.
However, with the needs that the Bills addressed, some might say they had other needs to address. Some of these positions were safety, running back depth based on James Cook's current contract situation, and linebacker depth. The Bills did not really address those needs in the draft or even earlier in free agency. That's because the Bills either feel their needs are set, or it's because they are expecting big things out of these four players drafted just one year ago.
4 second-year Bills set up for a big role in 2025
WR Keon Coleman
The Bills' first pick of the 2024 draft is rightfully needed to step up in 2025. The Bills did not draft a receiver until the 7th round to help round the room out, but they did make meaningful additions both before and after the draft. Regardless, Keon Coleman needs to also step up in 2025.
Coleman was progressing each week of his rookie season, and was looking to be a go-to target for Josh Allen like Khalil Shakir has grown into. But unfortunately, his injury against Miami in Week 9 had really stunted his strong start to his rookie season. Nevertheless, Coleman needed to finish 2024 strong, and never did.
The additions of both Elijah Moore and Joshua Palmer to the receiver room is telling. The Bills are saying that Coleman is their big-body receiver and they are both hoping and needing Coleman to be that guy in 2025. Along with those additions, the loss of Mack Hollins in free agency frees up those targets down the field for Coleman.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
One of the positions not being discussed enough is the linebacker depth, and who could potentially step up in that room after 2025. The Bills inked a contract extension for Terrel Bernard, the team's star linebacker and only defensive captain for 2024.
Besides that, there is Dorian Williams who took a leap in year two in 2024, and Matt Milano is a free agent after 2025, along with Baylon Spector. There was belief that the Bills would have drafted a linebacker in the later rounds of the 2025 draft, but the message seems to be that the Bills are mostly content with their room as is.
This is where Edefuan Ulofoshio comes in. Ulofoshio was a special teams contributor in 2024, and will most likely play more on special teams in 2025, but he could most likely step into a bigger role either late into 2025, and into 2026. He could potentially be the third linebacker on the team after Williams and Bernard in 2026. That all depends on what happens with both Milano and Spector after the 2025 season, but Ulofoshio is a sleeper for who could possibly see more action in the next few years, starting in 2025.
S Cole Bishop
Cole Bishop is primed for a bigger role starting in 2025. As a rookie in 2024, Bishop most likely was being groomed to be a Day 1 starter, but an injury in training camp derailed that. As the season progressed, and with the injuries to both Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, Bishop saw extended playing time later in 2024.
Both Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane both loved Bishop coming out of Utah. Considering the fact that McDermott is sort of the defensive back whisperer, and with the good amount of athleticism that Bishop showed coming out of Utah, he could definitely take a major leap in 2025. Bishop could be a major piece of the defensive back room for this revamped Bills defense in 2025 and beyond.
RB Ray Davis
The major talking point of the 2025 offseason for the Bills is James Cook and his contract extension dispute, or lack thereof. All signs are pointing to Cook being ready for the 2025 season, but he has made quite a fuss between him and the front office about the amount of money he has requested. Combine that with the Bills not drafting a runing back in the 2025 draft, even though there was a plethora of good talent all throughout the draft.
As a rookie, Ray Davis was a great change of pace of running back that helped propel the historic offense along with his running mates; Cook and Ty Johnson. The current room is penciled in as the same three starters, but Davis could potentially take more snaps away from Johnson and possibly Cook later in the 2025 season.
When Cook was injured and missed a game in Week 6 against the New York Jets last season, Davis came in as the starter for that game and the offense did not miss a beat. Look for Davis to possibly see even more playing time in 2025.