The Buffalo Bills could have to make some tough roster decisions this training camp.
Buffalo has added plenty of talent in free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agents to add more roster competition. One of the first moves the Bills made this offseason was bringing back veteran receiver Mecole Hardman Jr., but his roster spot isn’t guaranteed.
Ahead of OTAs and training camp, Bills analyst Brandon Ray of FanSided believes Hardman is a potential cut candidate.
“Mecole Hardman signed with the Bills after the trade deadline passed, but only played in two regular-season games due to injury and then played once in the playoffs against the Broncos. Buffalo brought him back for another year, but with the additions of D.J. Moore and Skyler Bell, Hardman will have even more competition to make onto the roster,” Ray wrote.
“The Bills have Moore and Bell along with Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, and Khalil Shakir. Not to mention, Tyrell Shavers proved his worth last season but is currently dealing with rehabbing an ACL injury. Hardman’s best chance to impress the coaching staff might be on kickoff/punt returns.”
Hardman is a three-time Super Bowl champion, winning all three with the Kansas City Chiefs, and was an impact receiver. However, he’s more of a depth receiver now, but could be the team’s kick and punt returner, which is an opening for the Bills.
Hardman was a Pro Bowler in 2019. In his NFL career, he’s recorded 178 receptions, 2,302 yards, and 16 touchdowns.
What is Bills WR Depth Chart?
Buffalo’s receiver room has been a talking point for years now, ever since Stefon Diggs was traded away.
Since then, the Bills haven’t had a true No. 1 receiver, but that should change this season after the team’s trade for DJ Moore. Bills general manager Brandon Beane also felt like Moore could make an impact for the team.
“I thought DJ, he’s a guy we followed all the way back from the draft process. A guy I checked into at the trade deadline last year,” Beane told Tyler Dunne of Go Long. “And of course when you’re looking at options and you’re talking through, Joe Brady quickly reminds you, “Yeah, he had one of his better years with me in Carolina.” He really loved DJ. So he knows his makeup, his wiring even better than I know it to be because mine is from what I understand of him and from the people I know in Carolina and from the people through the draft process at Maryland.”
With Moore as the team’s No. 1 receiver, Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, Keon Coleman, and Skyler Bell are expected to be next in the pecking order. Hardman, Tyrell Shavers, Trent Sherfield, Stephen Gosnell, and Jalen Virgil will all be competing for potentially one or two spots at receiver.
Buffalo Offseason Dates
With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the Bills are now getting ready for training camp.
The Bills’ key offseason dates are as follows:
- Rookie Minicamp: May 8-9
- OTAs: May 18–19, May 21, May 26–28, June 1–4
- Mandatory minicamp: June 9–11
After that, Buffalo will host training camp, but the dates for training camp has not been revealed.
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