The Buffalo Bills have one last question to be answered in training camp, and it's an important one; Who's returning kicks this season? The 90-man roster is full of capable candidates, from the ones we know to the unfamiliar. It's an interesting group, and the battle in training camp expects to be a hard-fought one.
Training camp battle breakdown
It's an interesting task, determining the player to return kicks or punts. A variety of skills need to be assessed. How does a player handle the ball? Do they make decisive cuts? Do they showcase the vision needed to find return lanes? Can they follow a blocking scheme? Is the speed needed on display? Can they make decisions for fair catches?
On top of all that, the player needs to be consistent; Boom-or bust returners will cost a team as many games as they win. The skillsets again differ between kicks and punts- Neither is the same as the other. In combination, it makes for a very interesting training camp battle for the Buffalo Bills.
The kick and punt returners
Ray Davis - RB
One half of the returner question gets answered swiftly. Last year, RB Ray Davis was the primary kick returner after winning the job midseason. Having returned no kicks for the first 7 games of 2025, he finished the season First-Team All-Pro on special teams. A whopping 30.4 yards per return, one touchdown, and then more of the same in the playoffs.
Despite all that, he doesn't answer the punt returner question. Ray Davis was an excellent kick returner, but has never returned a punt in his professional career.
Khalil Shakir - WR
The other most established returner, on punts, is WR Khalil Shakir. His combination of vision and contact balance afford him some opportunities in returning punts.
He didn't return any punts in the recent postseason, due to the Bills' injuries at WR. That's an issue that's unlikely to rear it's head again, making Shakir the frontrunner to return to his role.
Mecole Hardman Jr. - WR
We said earlier that boom-or-bust returners can win or cost you a game. Mecole Hardman Jr. is one such player. He's handled plenty of punts and kicks in his career, including a 61-yard kickoff return for Buffalo last season. Ball security is a woe, but Hardman has plenty to offer in training camp.
Keon Coleman - WR
Joe Brady said that his becoming head coach of the Buffalo Bills was the best thing to happen to Keon Coleman. The team reportedly shut down calls trading for him.
If, despite all that, Coleman still fails to materialize on offense, a returner job is likely in his future. The team must find ways for Keon to contribute if they intend to keep him, and he has a decent skillset for the role.
Skyler Bell - WR
Skyler Bell has a lot of the skills a punt or kick returner showcases, with no defined role. As the Bills made upgrades to their WR room this season, Bell could find himself on special teams a lot as a rookie.
In training camp, Bell is a sneaky underdog to take the starting returner role. However, if he excels on offense, expect the job to go elsewhere.
Maxwell Hairston - CB
Following the drafting of CB Davison Igbinosun, Maxwell Hairston's starting CB job is far from guaranteed. What he does offer is speed, and solid vision as a returner.
If the team needs to find ways to get him involved, much like Keon Coleman, a returner job could be not just usable, but highly effective. Doubtless, if Hairston is returning kicks by pre-season, he's second place to Igbinosun for the CB job.
Ty Johnson - RB
Ty Johnson hasn't returned a lot of kicks, but as a low-roster RB he naturally offers that upside. He's done fine as a returner and offers depth, if not starting play.
Trent Sherfield - WR
Trent Sherfield is difficult to roster in a Bills' WR room that has seen major investment. Where he excels is as a returner, making him a possible contributor. Sherfield has an outside chance entering training camp, but it is a chance.
Toriano Pride Jr. - CB
Buffalo saw their issues at defensive back last season, and made their draft picks accordingly. Toriano Pride Jr. is a solid young athlete with no specific roster spot just yet.
Pride is not a returner, but has traits that fit the role, which open up space for him on the roster. He has to go to training camp and prove his worth, but there's a chance here.
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