With the Buffalo Bills' first preseason game this Saturday at 1 pm against the Carolina Panthers, the team held its first official event at the new Highmark Stadium, celebrating the Red and Blue intrasquad scrimmage to welcome fans and officially open the new stadium this past Saturday.
Now that the Bills have wrapped up training camp at St. John Fisher University, during their time there, some players stood out far more than others, while others were reminded that they have work to do if they want to make the final 53-man roster in September.
Four rising players to keep an eye on in first preseason game
1.) DE/DT T.J. Sanders
T.J. Sanders entered his first full training camp with tons to prove after an unproductive and eventful rookie season in 2025. Sanders showed his quickness at the line of scrimmage while also displaying his powerful spin moves at 6-foot-4, 297 pounds to sack the quarterback.
It's not that Sanders isn't capable of being a solid defensive lineman in the NFL, it may be that this aggressive 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is a better fit for him than the 4-2-5 scheme Sean McDermott previously ran.
If Sanders can keep this momentum up during their three preseason games, he will be a lock to start at defensive end for the regular season.
2.) S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
While under McDermott, the Bills typically stayed clear of C.J. Gardner-Johnson's past drama. Joe Brady, however, embraces it, realizing that championship defenses always have that one player who is frustrating to play against but whom you love on your team.
Gardner-Johnson so far has let his play do the talking rather than being chippy with words as he's come in, and has been as hardworking and physical in coverage as he can without tackling someone in practice. But once it's full tackling and getting back to playing football, look for Gardner-Johnson to get inside wide receivers' heads and possibly lay a big hit or two to make the Bills feel his presence.
The 5-foot-11, 208-pound safety plays bigger with both a loud bark and a huge bite that other teams are annoyed by, but football doesn't wait for anyone. He specializes in being a great one-on-one safety, but can be a throwback-hitting type if receivers get in his way.
3.) WR D.J. Moore
As advertised, D.J. Moore already looks like the true No. 1 receiver that Josh Allen hasn't had since Stefon Diggs in 2023. His ability to construct big plays influences the team's offensive stability, permitting Allen to spread the ball around to other receivers while keeping defenses guessing.
At 6-foot, 213 pounds, Moore is a physical receiver who can make tough contested catches in man coverage and also has the speed to be a gadget player in wide-receiver jet sweeps, similar to CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys.
Moore is familiar with his usage, as he and Brady ran these plays when both were with the Carolina Panthers, and also last year when he was with the Chicago Bears.
The one skill he specializes in that the other Bills receivers lack is the clutch gene, where he tends to make game-winning or game-tying touchdowns when the games are on the line. Moore is the guy the Bills can depend on with the ball in his hands at any point in a game, which should inspire confidence in his consistency under pressure.
4.) RG O'Cyrus Torrence
Brandon Beane has done it again, folks. The general manager once again found a way to re-sign another of his draft picks below market value before his value rises in the 2027 offseason.
Right guard O'Cyrus Torrance was signed to a 4-year, $78.4 million extension ($46 million guaranteed through 2030). This makes him the seventh-highest-paid guard in the NFL, which now looks like a steal of a contract.
He earned this contract by working hard to improve his pass blocking, as he is amazing as a run blocker and was a key reason James Cook won the rushing title last season.
As he's yet to make the Pro Bowl, he's certainly on his way to doing so, with a great second contract and, hopefully, improved pass blocking this season.
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