Buffalo Bills minicamp: Top positional battles to watch this offseason
· Yahoo Sports
The Buffalo Bills started their spring practice recent weeks. This is the first official time for all players to take the field and work with the coaching staff as a full 90-man roster.
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For many onlookers, the OTA is a welcome sight, seeing something that resembles formal practice activities. New players hit the field with incumbents, giving a first glimpse into what the future could hold for the team.
These activities also foreshadow what position battles could heat up during training camp.
Here are Bills Wire's four interesting battles that we are watching at spring practices:
Boundary receiver: Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, Skyler Bell, Mecole Hardman
Buffalo traded for DJ Moore at the start of this offseason, so he will be the team's prospective WR1 this season. Khalil Shakir, the Bills most effective receiving option over the past two years, will start in the slot.
The remaining boundary receiver is a bit of a mystery at this time. Joshua Palmer, the Bills biggest offensive free agent signing in 2025, had an uninspiring first campaign with Buffalo. Injuries led to a lack of production: Palmer recorded career lows in receptions (22), targets (37), and yards (303). In addition, Palmer did not find the end zone last year. Palmer was lauded for his ability to create separation, but he did have a strong initial connection with Josh Allen. The Bills need more production out of their second perimeter wideout.
Palmer doesn't face a great deal of competition for snaps. Keon Coleman is looking to rebuild his stock after seeing his playing time plummet for several reasons (lack of production, injuries, and maturity). It's probably his last chance to make something happen in a Buffalo uniform. If Coleman can rebuild his chemistry with the staff and Allen, he stands a chance to earn snaps.
Skyler Bell and Mecole Hardman are deep sleepers for starting snaps. Nevertheless, with the WR2 unsettled, a strong camp could push either one to the top of the depth chart. Bell, a fourth-round draft pick, is an intriguing, high-upside player who can stretch the field. Hardman, a veteran who has tailed off precipitously over the past few years, is looking to rebound and find the mojo of his rookie season, one in which he averaged 20.4 yards per reception.
Left guard: Austin Corbett and Alec Anderson
Buffalo's former left guard, David Edwards, became a cap casualty. The Bills committed a new contract to center Connor McGovern, leaving Edwards as the odd-man out on the offensive line. Edwards signed a four-year, $61 million contract with the New Orleans Saints this offseason.
Buffalo signed Austin Corbett to a modest one-year, $1.48 million contract. The veteran started 11 games for Carolina last year. Essentially, the Bills hope to hit the jackpot again in a similar way they did with Edwards: sign a veteran to a team-friendly deal and hope he remains healthy enough to regain his starter-level capabilities.
Anderson has worked as Buffalo's sixth offensive lineman over the past few years. Anderson has flourished as a run-blocker in this role. He is the most versatile lineman for the Bills, so he will have some role within the Buffalo offense. However, it may be time for him to take the jump into full-time starting duties.
CB2: Davison Igbinosun and Max Hairston
Hairston was the Bills top choice in the 2025 draft. His speed and cover skills made him an ideal pick to challenge opposing wideouts. However, injuries derailed his rookie season. Hairston ended the season with 18 total tackles and two interceptions. Hairston's skill set puts him on the radar as a good complement to Christian Benford. Hairston still has a lot to prove to cement his name in the starting lineup.
General manager Brandon Beane wanted to add depth in the secondary. Buffalo selected Davison Igbinosun late in the second round. Using draft capital in this manner indicates the Bills are looking to put some pressure on Hairston. Ignbinosun will be looked at as more than just a depth piece entering the season. Depending on how quickly he adapts to the speed of the NFL , Igbinosun could be a surprise starter in Week 1.
Inside linebacker: Kaleb Elarms-Orr
Buffalo's shift to a base 3-4 means the Bills are in need of an additional inside linebacker. Currently, Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams occupy the top of the depth chart. However, Williams suffered an injury during the initial stages of OTAs. Buffalo provided little clarity on the intensity of the injury.
This opens the door for Elarms-Orr. Initially, it looked like Elarms-Orr would fit the Bills' roster as a depth linebacker and core special teams player. With Williams' injury, it now appears a share of snaps will open up for Elarms-Orr in the short term.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills minicamp: Top positional battles to watch this offseason