The Buffalo Bills brought on a pair of veteran wide receivers late in the 2025 season, bolstering their struggling unit and getting some key contributions from both.
But one of those late-comers could now face a challenge in sticking with the team for 2026, with one analyst noting that the team has a crowded wide receiver room and not enough roster spots for everyone.
Mecole Hardman Could Be on the Outside Looking In
Reporter Ryan Miller of the Democrat & Chronicle broke down the crowded wide receiver room for the Bills, noting that the team has 13 wide receivers as they move steadily toward training camp.
Miller laid out the attributes for each one, noting that Hardman was a mixed bag during his abbreviated tenure with the Bills last season. While the former Kansas City Chiefs receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion did make an immediate impact, he also had some costly miscues.
“Had a strange 2025 season,” Miller wrote. “He signed to Buffaloâs practice squad in November, returned a kickoff 61 yards in his Bills debut, later fumbled a punt, injured his calf and landed on injured reserve. Hardman didnât catch a regular-season pass but did haul in a touchdown in the playoffs against Denver.”
Hardman would face more competition for a spot on the roster this year, with the Bills adding wide receiver Skyler Bell in the fourth round of the NFL draft. Miller noted that Bell would bring some versatility to Buffalo’s wide receiving corps.
“Rookie fourth-round pick and consensus All-American at UConn who had 101 receptions for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025,” Miller wrote. “One of the more athletic receivers at the NFL Combine and can line up inside or outside.”
Bills Face Uncertainty in Wide Receiver Room
Hardman could have a potential path to a roster spot early in the season after versatile receiver and special teams ace Tyrell Shavers suffered a torn ACL in the team’s playoff win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The former undrafted free agent and practice squad player is in danger of missing the early part of the season, which would create a vacancy that Hardman might be able to fill.
The Bills also face uncertainty around third-year wide receiver Keon Coleman, who was benched twice for disciplinary reasons last season and saw a dropoff in production compared to his rookie year. SI.com writer Randy Gurzi identified Coleman as one of the Bills players facing the most pressure to improve in 2026.
âKeon Coleman is one of the more highly criticized players on the Buffalo roster,â Gurzi wrote. âThe 2024 second-round pick has the talent to be a difference-maker, but hasnât lived up to his expectations. There were rumors that Coleman could be traded this offseason, with Bills On SIâs Alex Brasky saying the team should still pursue a move.â
Bills general manager Brandon Beane publicly defended Coleman, who became a point of contention at the team’s year-end press conference after owner Terry Pegula cast blame on former head coach Sean McDermott for pushing to draft him. Beane said the team put off trade requests for Coleman before the NFL draft.
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