The Buffalo Bills are continuing through their OTA program and this is the second week of those organized team activities. While practices are ongoing, the media isn't allowed past the Tuesday practice for this week but that one day was enough for several players to make an impact.
These are four players who turned heads during the Buffalo Bills OTAs this week.
Tyler Bass
Tyler Bass is entering his fifth season as the Buffalo Bills placekicker but even being with the team as long as he has been, there is something to prove with how the season ended this past year. Unfortunately the lasting memory from the Bills playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs will be a missed 44-yard field goal by Bass that would have tied the game late in the fourth quarter.
As Bass tries to put that behind him he impressed reporters in attendance this week as he connected on a 70-yard field goal attempt, according to WGR550's Sal Capaccio. There is plenty of caveats that come with this field goal as there was no rush and it appeared he had the wind at his back. However, it is still very impressive and shows off Bass's leg strength.
Damar Hamlin
The rest of the players on this list could be on the roster bubble and certainly need to make a positive impact early in the offseason to gain momentum heading into training camp. One of those players is safety Damar Hamlin who is trying to move up the depth chart.
Hamlin is entering his fourth season with the Bills after they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and after a quiet rookie season, he would start 13 games in place of the injured Micah Hyde in 2022 prior to his injury against the Bengals.
This past season, Hamlin was able to return but only appeared in five games, and with recent additions like Mike Edwards and rookie Cole Bishop, he needs to make some impact plays. He did just that on Tuesday with an interception off a screen pass by Josh Allen intended for Ty Johnson, according to Alex Brasky.
As Mike Edwards continues to deal with a shoulder injury, this creates a great opportunity for a player like Hamlin to get some additional reps and make his case to the coaching staff.
Kaiir Elam
Another defensive back who is heading toward a pivotal offseason is former first-round pick Kaiir Elam. To this point, Elam has not made much of an impact and has struggled to even get on the field as players like Christian Benford passed him on the depth chart.
This will be Elam's third season in the NFL and the Bills are going to have to make a tough decision on how to proceed with the former first-round pick. They certainly can keep him on the roster as depth but if they are not confident in playing extended snaps, it might be better to trade him now where he still has some value compared to next offseason if he is going to be a healthy scratch again most of this season.
During practice on Tuesday, Andy Young noted that Elam had good coverage reps which is great to see for a player who is trying to make his case for a key part of this defense.
After practice on Tuesday, Elam met with reporters and he certainly is putting in the work. Thad Brown tweeted that Elam has been working with Taron Johnson to try and play like a smaller defensive back with a focus on footwork.
Kaiir Elam says he's working with Taron Johnson learning how to play like a smaller DB.
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) May 28, 2024
Footwork likely a big piece. Elam has often struggled there.
But for a 6-1 CB with the full athletic bag to now must learn to play smaller... it's a reminder how poorly he fits #Bills D
However, Brown brings up a great point, something that has been apparent since he was drafted that Elam is not a good fit for this defense and what McDermott wants from his cornerbacks. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the summer plays out for the former first-round pick.
Justin Shorter
The wide receiver room is very crowded and it wouldn't be surprising if each week, or even day, another player impresses. Last week it was Chase Claypool who is trying to turn his career around after two down seasons across three teams (Steelers, Bears, and Dolphins).
This week though was a former Bills' draft pick who is relatively an unknown at this point in Justin Shorter. The Bills drafted Shorter in the fifth round last year but he spent the entire season on injured reserve after being placed on the list prior to the season.
Entering 2024, Shorter is certainly in the mix for one of those roster spots but it is far from a guarantee, even being a draft pick, with how many the front office has brought in as they try to find the replacement for Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
According to Alex Brasky with Batavia News, Shorter had a good practice this week and caught a number of passes from Mitchell Trubisky and Shane Buechele. However, it is worth noting the quarterbacks he was working with in Trubisky and Buechele as this indicates Shorter is probably further down the depth chart and has some work if he hopes to earn a starting job.