The Buffalo Bills entered the 2025 offseason still looking for the missing piece in their passing attack that would get them over the hump in the AFC. The team lost wide receivers Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins in free agency, but quickly replaced them with Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore.
While both sneaky and solid additions, neither of these players is likely to be a major difference maker. They can be solid pass-catchers alongside the ever-underrated Khalil Shakir and an emerging Keon Coleman, however, whose stardom could emerge at any point.
But there was one exciting prospect with tons of upside who captivated Bills fans at the end of the 2024 campaign and seemed like he was trending toward a roster spot this season. Training camp has proven, though, that he may still have work to do before being on the 53-man team.
Tyrell Shavers could be the odd man out in Bills' wide receiver room
Tyrell Shavers, the 6-foot-4, 211-pound wideout with a seemingly limitless ceiling, could be as good as gone if he does not put together a strong August in Buffalo. He did miss some time with an injury, which hurt his chances, but what hurt him more is that in his absence, another player stepped up.
That player is Kristian Wilkerson, who came to Buffalo in late May after making previous stops with the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders. He has just six catches for 60 yards in his NFL career, but he plays bigger than his 6-foot-1 frame and has three touchdowns.
According to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia, Wilkerson has been mixing in with Josh Allen and the first team offense as a result of the numerous injuries at wideout. Losing these reps is not as crucial for roster locks like Moore or Curtis Samuel, but it is pressing for Shavers, who is currently on the fringe.
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Shavers did return to practice earlier this week, but Wilkerson stood out once again on Friday evening during the team's Blue & Red practice in front of the home fans. There was very little, if any, buzz about Shavers, however, in the days following his return to the practice field.
Buffalo fans remember how impressive he was during the 2024 preseason, and his 69-yard catch from Mitchell Trubisky on his first career target in Week 18 against the New York Jets was a marquee moment for the fan base and the young player.
But time is ticking for Shavers, as he still has just 32 offensive snaps under his belt at the NFL level. It's hard to make the team when sidelined with an injury, so if he wants to remain on the 53-man roster and avoid being relegated to the practice squad again, the next few weeks will be crucial.