While it's yet another postseason exit for the Buffalo Bills, it's once again that time of the year to look ahead to the 2026 roster. The good news about this season is that there were more highs than lows.
They were finally able to grab a playoff victory on the road and showed how battle-tested they were from the start of the season to the end.
These 5 players contributed and now deserve a bigger role going forward
1. DT Deone Walker
With a Bills' defense that sometimes lacked in creating the big plays, Deone Walker was the one player who could be counted on to make them. Whether it was stopping run plays for a loss or making an interception in the AFC Divisional Playoff round, the 6-foot-7, 331-pound beast was all over the field, and for a team that lacked a big guy in the middle, Walker impressed in this defense.
As the skilled tackle continues to improve, so should this defense, as it is young and talented. If the Bills get the right defensive coordinator to pair with the new head coach, this defense could remain generational for years to come.
2. DT TJ Sanders
While Walker made an immediate impact in his rookie season, it was a year of learning and frustration for TJ Sanders. After being drafted in the second round (41st overall in the 2025 NFL draft), it took him a while to finally sign his rookie contract.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 297-pound athlete was supposed to not even see the field this year and take a redshirt season, but was thrust into action a bit early due to all the injuries on the Bills' D-line during the season.
When healthy, Sanders has a quick first step and also a great motor to get to the running backs. He just needs a full offseason, and with hopefully some roster adjustments to the defense, he can go into 2026 penciled in as a starter in year two.
3. LB Shaq Thompson
This may seem shocking, but at the end of the season and into the playoffs, Thompson was one of the players making the big splash plays, including his first interception since 2021. The 31-year-old knew former head coach Sean McDermott from his days at Carolina and, of course, brought him in as a contributor this past season.
At 6 feet, 1 inch, 230 pounds, Thompson is a lighter linebacker with speed and is very twitchy in his play. He is a man of faith, character, and just overall, one of the more solid players in the NFL.
The shifty linebacker was one of the free agents who would want to come back and play in a Bills uniform, even with the same general manager and a new head coach.
4. LB Joe Andreessen
Being a local man from Lancaster, NY, and growing up in Buffalo, why would a guy whose nickname is "Buffalo Joe" want to play anywhere else than "right here, right now"? Going from a local boy, makes good story, to now a full member of the Bills' 53-man roster, it's just a matter of time before Joe Andreessen becomes a full-time starter for his childhood team.
The local kid has seen limited action on the field, but when he's had his chance to play, he's a wrecking ball on the football field. While GM Brandon Beane is back, hopefully, he impresses him and the new coaching staff enough to pencil him in as a starting linebacker.
5. RB/KR Ray Davis
Don't let the national media fool you. Ray Davis is a versatile player any team in the NFL would like to have. In 2024, Davis excelled more as the backup running back to James Cook with 442 yards rushing on 113 carries and only 147 return yards.
This year, Davis was limited on running back touches, rushing for only 275 yards on 58 carries, but was named an All-Pro Kick Returner with 943 yards.
Davis is a success story: he attended three colleges and rushed for over 1,000 yards at each. Cook is obviously a beast at running back and the reigning rushing title winner. But don't tell me that Davis couldn't do the same thing if he were the No. 1 running back on any other NFL team.
Davis should continue to dominate on kick returns, but the new offensive coordinator should give him more reps at the backup running back to create a lethal 1-2 punch between Cook and him.