Buffalo brought in several new players to replace the likes of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Additionally, they are relying on several players from the previous roster to perform well, with some taking on entirely new positions. Despite the losses, Buffalo returns the majority of last season's starters, including the entire defensive front, and both linebackers. Leonard Floyd is out, but Buffalo still returns Von Miller, Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones, and Gregory Rousseau. A.J. Epenesa pencils into that rotation as well.
Buffalo lost Tre White too, but he's been absent for the better part of the last two seasons anyway, and Christian Benford and Rasul Douglas have become one of the best corner tandems in the league. Gone from the offensive side of the ball are Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Is the Bills wide receiver room better off now? I think the top-end talent was better with Diggs; however, the WR depth chart is better overall, giving Josh Allen several viable weapons to spread the ball around.
The offensive line is in a bit of flux, with two current players in new positions. This will be interesting to watch throughout the offseason programs too. How well the offensive line performs will be vital to how well the offense rolls in 2024. Protecting Allen is paramount to the success of the Bills this coming season, and Buffalo brought in some new blood here too, with additions like La'el Collins and draft prospect Cedric Van Pran-Granger.
Five boom or bust players in 2024 for the Buffalo Bills
Chase Claypool
On talent alone, Claypool is at the top of the wide receiver depth chart, but his physical ability has never been the issue. His heart and attitude are what was holding this player back from becoming a mainstay in the NFL. So far, he has said all the right things and seems to understand this could be his last shot at making and sticking on an NFL roster. If his mind is in the right place, he could be a huge addition to the Bills receiver room.
On the flip side, he could be gone from this roster before the season even begins. The Bills brought in several receivers this offseason, all of whom will be trying to make the team's final 53-man roster. It's an uphill battle for Claypool, with so much competition at the position, but he has the talent to earn it, but he could fail as well. Luckily, the risk on the Bills' part isn't that great, so if this doesn't work out, it's not a big loss for Buffalo.
Von Miller
It seems so long ago that Buffalo announced they were signing Von Miller to a free-agent contract, but it was just two seasons ago. He started exactly how the Bills and fans envisioned; however, it all came crashing down when he suffered a season-ending ACL injury. He missed the remainder of the 2022 season and half of 2023. But when he returned, he wasn't close to the same pass-rusher, leading many fans to want him out. Miller returns this season, in what hopes to be a comeback season of sorts.
Miller took a substantial pay cut this offseason thought, which was a commendable move on his part. The new contract includes several incentives that could get his contract value back to where it was. If the Bills get pre-ACL Miller, that would be massive for the Buffalo defense. I have little doubt he will make the 53-man roster, as Buffalo will give him every opportunity to succeed in 2024. They need him to succeed in 2024.
Mike Edwards
Mike Edwards signed a free agent deal with the Bills this offseason, and many fans have already penciled him as one of the starting safeties, opposite Taylor Rapp. I'm not sold, and he's going to have a hard time holding off rookie Cole Bishop. Pro Football Focus grades aren't everything, but still, to say his numbers were terrible is an understatement. That said, he could win the job, and if he does, great. I want the best possible player on the field.
I think Edwards will either be a solid addition to the starting defense and play well, or he could sit on the bench and be an afterthought. Bishop has all the talent and is a better athlete, and I've projected him to earn that starting role. If Edwards were to perform well, it would be beneficial for Bishop to spend a year learning from a veteran. I don't see that happening though, I think Bishop starts over Edwards.
Keon Coleman
I put Keon Coleman on this list because the expectations for him are pretty high. I don't expect him to put up Diggs type stats in his rookie year, but I am expecting him to be an integral part of the Bills offense. Bills Mafia has fallen in love with the personality of Coleman and the entire fan base is rooting for him to succeed. He is penciled as one of the outside receivers, and who the other one will be is largely unknown. This isn't a make-or-break season for Coleman, but if he's a complete bust and struggles mightily, the fans will be on him quickly.
Maybe Coleman comes out and has an incredible season, such as a Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson-type rookie season, which would certainly qualify as a boom season, but that is a lot to expect. It's a possibility, no one expected a Puka Nacua-type rookie campaign, but we've seen more examples of receivers struggling to make it in this league, even as early draft picks, insert Sammy Watkins.
Connor McGovern
Connor McGovern made this list because he's moving over from guard to center, outside of maybe the Bills coaching staff, no one knows what to expect from McGovern. The fact that Buffalo drafted center Sedric Van Pran-Granger, leads me to believe they may not be completely sold on the idea either. This is a classic boom-or-bust situation, as this experiment could work beautifully, or it could blow up completely. Which is why I think the selection of Van Pran was a smart move. It gives the Bills the option to move McGovern back to guard, but that also depends on Van Pran and how he develops this summer.
I see this entire situation as a boom-or-bust though, because by moving McGovern out of the guard position, that cleared the way for David Edwards to take his place. Edwards was a starting guard on the Rams Super Bowl-winning offensive line, and he was solid in a reserve role last year. Despite that, he's still a question mark whether he is starter material or not. Buffalo added other options too, signing La'el Collins, and the Bills have said he can play guard, even though he's been primarily a tackle in this league. This will be another interesting situation to watch when training camp opens in late July.