One Bills player to watch at each position throughout training camp

Keep your eyes peeled for these players as we edge ever closer to training camp.

McKenna Middlebrook | Jul 6, 2024

Sep 24, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool (10) warms up against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

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The Buffalo Bills start their training camp at Rochester's St. John Fisher University on July 24th, having it be the first time fans get to see the new-look roster for the 2024 season. There are plenty of new faces in each positional group given the offseason turnover, so we’re going to examine which player you should keep an eye out for in every position.

QB: Josh Allen

Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) takes interviews after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

We’re not going to overthink things here -- the Bills season lives and dies on the right arm of their star quarterback, Josh Allen. He’s a mercurial talent, an elite creator who has proven himself to be one of the best players in the NFL. If Allen can reduce his turnovers slightly, the Bills will be in Super Bowl contention again.

Josh Allen and fellow #Bills teammates having a blast at Dawson Knox’s wedding

pic.twitter.com/U0ipYgZCVF
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 5, 2024

RB: Ray Davis

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky running back Ray Davis (RB08) during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills are lucky to have their starting running back solidified as they enter training camp, but they’re still trying to figure out who should be his backup. Conventional wisdom states that the veteran Ty Johnson should take the helm of RB2, but rookie Ray Davis could throw the proverbial spanner in the works. Davis and Johnson are similarly built, but the rookie is more explosive, and is a more versatile piece in the passing game.

WR: Chase Claypool

Dec 17, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool (83) celebrates after defeating the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports / Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

We could have copped out and said ‘all of them’ for the Bills receiver corps, but we want to keep a close eye on the Steelers, Bears, and Dolphins reject Chase Claypool. The Notre Dame product has struggled with both effort and consistency throughout his career, but his productivity was noted by reporters during the Bills’ OTAs in June. If Claypool can finally put it all together, he’ll be a pivotal piece in the Bills' new offensive system.

Chase Claypool incredibly honest about the path his career has taken.

"It is tough believing in the player you are or can be and falling short of those expectations."

Now the WR embracing whatever it takes to change as member of the #Bills. pic.twitter.com/Aa0WIRypgM
— Jon Scott (@JonScottTV) May 21, 2024

TE: Quintin Morris

Oct 15, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Quintin Morris (85) reacts to scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo figures to feature both of its marquee tight ends—Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox—heavily into its passing game, which raises an interesting question: given the propensity with which the team plans to use tight ends in the aerial attack, will there be a role for Quintin Morris? A converted wide receiver who has primarily played on special teams throughout his professional career, the 25-year-old has caught 10 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns throughout his two NFL seasons. He’s an interesting mismatch who could, in theory, carve out a niche offensive role, and it will be interesting to see if he begins to do so in training camp.

OL: Sedrick Van Pran-Granger

Georgia offensive lineman Sedrick Van Pran (63) gives direction during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Kentucky in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Buffalo’s offensive line took a hit over the offseason when they let go of veteran center and fan favorite Mitch Morse. The Bills may have found his replacement with rookie center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. He won two National Championships at the University of Georgia, he was described as a ‘dog’ by general manager Brandon Beane in post-draft interviews and as someone who wasn’t afraid to call out team leaders. And while in college he played with composed aggression and an incredible motor where he reached the second level with ease to make space for his running backs.

DL: Greg Rousseau

Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end Greg Rousseau (50) against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Bills have lost some of their depth at their defensive line over the offseason, so rookie defensive coordinator Bobby Babich has to look at the established stars of the defensive line. Gregory Rousseau has developed into a well-rounded defensive end, impacting both the run and pass game. We want to see if he’s made the leap into a more dominant pass rusher. If he has taken that leap it’ll free up more space for the likes of Von Miller, AJ Epenesa, and rookie Javon Solomon.

LB: Matt Milano

Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates one of four sacks of Miami s Skylar Thompson. / JAMIE GERMANO / USA TODAY NETWORK

When healthy Matt Milano is one of the best linebackers in the NFL, but that is the question as the Bills head into training camp: is he fully healthy? We’ve seen time and time again that players need half a season, or even a full season to recover from an injury like Milano’s. And if he isn’t the Bills will have to answer the question of who will take his place when he can’t play. The likely choice would be second-year player Dorian Williams, and while he showed some flashes last season, the unit would be severely undersized.

Some of LB Matt Milano from today’s minicamp practice pic.twitter.com/lQ3qjd0qzI
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) June 11, 2024

DB: Kaiir Elam

Bills defensive back Kaiir Elam during training camp drills. / Jamie Germano/Democrat and Chronicle /

This feels like a ‘make or break’ year for Kaiir Elam, he’s entering his third season for the Bills and has yet to make his mark on the team. The biggest issue Elam has had during his time in Western New York is his consistency. He can make plays in coverage, his first career interception being against Patrick Mahomes is proof enough of that, but he has issues with penalties and has struggled when the Bills play in zone coverage. If Babich can get a more consistent Elam, the Bills secondary could be the best in the NFL.

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