Buffalo Bills vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Position battles to watch

With Week 1 of the preseason in the books, and Week 2 fast approaching, much of the Buffalo Bills roster is likely settled. Many position groups are all but secured, with only a few spots realistically up for grabs. Much of the rest of this preseason slate will be simply nailing down the fundamentals and working to build cohesion within your play set. Most will find themselves on either the 53-man roster or the practice squad regardless of performance over the next two weeks. But, for a select few, there is still everything to compete for.

Wide Receiver

The Bills only carried five receivers into 2023, after shelving Justin Shorter as an IR-stash for the season. This season, with an apparent emphasis on Dalton Kincaid and the ability to run the ball, we'll likely see more of the same. Still, the fifth spot may not be as locked down as it seemed heading into training camp. Buffalo were all but certain their top five receivers would be, in no particular order, Curtis Samuel, Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, Mack Hollins, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Following a surprising camp, MVS has dropped, both literally and figuratively. His hand issues plague what should have been a secure shot at playing. His skill set is valuable to Buffalo, but not more than his ability to actually contribute. Perhaps he's still the fifth receiver, perhaps he's accompanied by a sixth. One thing we actually know is that Tyrell Shavers has had a phenomenal training camp. The former practice squad receiver has a year working in the team, and has made plays all camp where MVS hasn't. It's far from certain, who the Bills ultimately fall to. Other receivers such as Chase Claypool and Justin Shorter have faded into the ether, leaving a two-man race as the season approaches. With two weeks left, both should be playing for all the marbles.

Kick/Punt Returner

It was strange the way it ended, but the Buffalo Bills haven't replaced Nyheim Hines ability to take one to the house. As he met his seasons-end at the hands of jet ski, he left us with a problem. It wasn't solved through 2023, and now we struggle to find the answer again. Let's look at our potential fits.

Returners are typically cut from similar cloth; Speedy players who are agile with the ball and capable or winding their way through traffic. Running backs, defensive backs, and receivers. Of those positions, Buffalo has four legitimate competitors. The battle will be as much about their ability to contribute in their own areas as it will be their return ability.

Two receivers headline the list, K.J. Hamler and Andy Isabella. Isabella took snaps at returner last season, and was the only receiver beside Khalil Shakir currently rostered to take a snap on offense with Josh Allen. Isabella was loved by many for his return potential, but only took two punts downfield, for average gains. Hamler himself has a prolific college kick return career, but has been hard-handed with his chances in Buffalo. Neither has made an impression thus far, and are on the outside looking in as cutdown day approaches. If Buffalo is to keep a sixth receiver, it would be hard to justify these two over the likes of Shavers or Valdes-Scantling.

A notable pair of candidates again, DB Daequan Hardy and RB Darrynton Evans are both capable of doing the job. Hardy was selected as a capable yet undersized developmental cornerback, but his blinding speed and enviable twitch make him a formidable candidate here. He got early looks at returner against the Bears, so one has to imagine the team is taking under serious consideration. His ability at corner may be raw, but there's room for him to contribute there in a way the receivers won't.

Darryton Evans, however, is a more comfortable and familiar face to Bills fans, but also a less qualified returner. He's had one return in a game that matters in the last three years, all the way back in 2021. Still, his skillset is friendly to the role and as a running back in this offense he can offer the team more on a week-by-week basis than many others. It's wide open, and 'Who can return the ball best?' is far from the only factor.

The Special Teamers

In a similar vein to the returner battle, bottom-of-the-roster players must prove they have more to offer than simply their ability at their chosen position. It's that invaluable versatility and consistency in the game's 'Other Third' that can be the difference between a good defensive lineman making the roster, or missing out to an average receiver with hustle. Sean McDermott and company always carry at least one linebacker, but who is he? For the first time in a while, it isn't Tyler Matakevich.

Several players, both rookies and veterans, could be the ones to make this role their own. The cream of this proverbial crop, two may make an impact as pure linebackers: Baylon Spector and Edefuan Ulofoshio. Spector enters his third year with the Buffalo Bills, and should make this team. He took 141 snaps last season on special teams and a solid 25 more on defense. If he's stepping up, he'll lose special teams snaps, but still will play a role on kickoffs. If he loses footing, it'll be Ulofoshio who takes the backup linebacker reins and Spector will be as essential to the special teams unit as the kicking tees. Ulofoshio is an athlete above all else, and has spent much of his camp refining his game. The two's fates seem intertwined. One man's success is the other's bane.

The other two candidates couldn't be more opposed. Deion Jones, the eight-year NFL veteran, vs the hometown UDFA Joe Andreessen. Jones comes from a successful but dwindling career, and Andreessen had to show up and try out for the Bills after missing the opening wave of UDFA pickups. Still, they're both aiming to make this roster and in order to do so it will come down to their willingness to do anything. Andreessen has shown willing. Will Jones be able to show as well? Only time will tell.