3 most underrated players on the Bills' roster heading into 2024

Fans are raving about some players that the Bills picked up during the offseason and some that are still on the roster. These are typically players that everyone knows around the league and usually see the level of talent and success the player had or other players that get a lot of hype.

However, some players don't get that much recognition, usually due to the team they played for, their play style, their position, or being relatively quiet to the public. Yet, some players are more talented than the general public will make it seem, and there are plenty of those types of players on the Bills roster heading into this season.

Curtis Samuel

From being on the Carolina Panthers from 2017-2020, and the Washington Commanders from 2021-2023, Samuel hasn't had an elite passing game to work with. Yet, even back when he played with those teams, he was still a solid player and showed flashes of his talent.

Samuel's best NFL player comparison is a version of Deebo Samuel, a receiver used in many facets of an offense, a utility player. Deebo is usually lined up in the slot but could play outside and line up in the backfield to run the ball, and the same case will probably happen with Curtis Samuel.

There were two seasons where Samuel had carries for over 150 rushing yards in 2020 and 2022. He also averaged at least 7.9 yards per carry and scored three total rushing touchdowns in those seasons.

The stats may not be eye-popping, but now that Samuel is part of an elite offense with an elite quarterback and he could have a surprise career year. The only concern with Samuel is his health, as he's missed multiple games in three out of the eight seasons he's been a pro, with his most recent injury-riddled season being in 2021.

If Samuel is healthy, there's a chance he could have a career year in 2024. So far in training camp, he's progressively been establishing himself as a great threat option in the offense.

Terrel Bernard

As a first-year starter in 2023, Bernard played well, given the situations the Bills defense was in during the year. Bernard had to take on the leadership role after the departure of Tremaine Edmunds. Bills fans weren't too confident with Bernard and were begging for the Bills to pick up another linebacker.

The Bills would end up drafting Dorian Williams in the third round of the 2023 draft. However, Bernard would get the starting job. Fans would quickly realize how valubale he was after Bernard posted an impressive season. Bernard finished top 15 in total tackles, recording 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and three interceptions.

Now with a year of starting experience under his belt, and with a healthy Matt Milano by his side, he may look to have an even better year than 2023.

Rasul Douglas

The trade for Rasul Douglas towards the end of the trade deadline in 2023 was one of the best moves made by Brandon Beane. The Bills were struggling in the secondary ever since Tre'Davious White's season-ending injury against Miami in Week 4. Christian Benford was trying to hold down the fort as the new cornerback but has struggled a bit, along with Dane Jackson, Kaiir Elam, etc.

Towards the trade deadline last season, the Bills knew they would have to make a move for a secondary player, and some intriguing ones were on the market. Some of those players were Jaylon Johnson and Kendall Fuller.

The funny thing is, the Green Bay Packers weren't even considering trading Douglas at first, and then the Bills made an offer for him that was "kind of too good to pass up", Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst said at the time. The Bills gave up a 2024 third-round pick in exchange for Douglas and a Packers' 2024 fifth-round pick.

So far, the trade was worth it. Since Douglas's first start in Week 8, he has been a fantastic addition to Buffalo's defense and will look to continue to be an asset heading into 2024.