Story lines are what make preseason football entertaining. Though we already know the NFL MVP will not be strapping it up in tonight’s preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the battle in the receiving room make’s this must see TV for Buffalo Bills fans.
There really is only three names etched in stone into the Buffalo Bills wide receiver room, and that is Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer. Other than that, there is three chairs up for grabs.
The Bills don’t feel confident enough in any one of the fringe pass catchers to let them sit out of tonight’s contest. KJ Hamler, Tyrell Shavers, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel, and Laviska Shenault are the five players that will be competing for the three slots.
Making The Argument For KJ Hamler
One player who is emerging as a favorite in the roster conversation is KJ Hamler. Hamler is trying to make his way back into the league after a three year stint with the Denver Broncos that started in 2020. He has not recorded a stat in an NFL game since October 30th, 2022.
Now the return specialist is putting together an impressive camp as he fights to reignite his career.
“One player that has shown signs of flashes this offseason is KJ Hamler,” wrote Bills writer Brandon Ray. “Quite frankly, he’s been better than Elijah Moore who was brought to Buffalo right before the summer to help open up the playbook a little bit. Instead, he’s been a bit of a disappointment through the first two games.”
Elijah Moore Needs To Make A Catch
Elijah Moore has been a productive NFL receiver, averaging more than 500 yards per season each year he has been in the league. He was brought to Buffalo on a one-year, 2.5 million dollar deal where he was expected to add value to a lackluster receiver room.
With a similar play style to Curtis Samuel, the 5’10” receiver would at least create some competition. But so far this preseason he has made just one catch on four targets. Ray thinks that’s a problem.
“Like stated above, Moore has not shown any potential on what he can bring to this offense. He’s had just one catch through the first two games and there is an argument to be made that he isn’t a lock to make the final roster. Now granted, he hasn’t been catching passes from Josh Allen,” Ray wrote. “At the same time, if he goes catchless against the Buccaneers, his tenure in Buffalo could be much shorter than Bills fans may have anticipated.”
Tyrell Shavers Is Close To A Lock
Tyrell Shavers is a 26-year-old receiver looking to finally break on to an NFL roster. He was called up from the Bills practice squad a handful of times last season, but never really became a main stay.
He has been the Bills best offensive performer through two preseason games, and he is one more impressive performance from perhaps finally earning a long term spot on this team’s roster.
Bills insider and team writer/personality Chris Brown is rooting for him.
“The fan favorite has produced in each of the first two preseason games as he battles for a spot on the 53-man roster,” Brown writes. “He’s improved his releases at the line of scrimmage, which has helped him get separation more consistently on routes. How he’s utilized on special teams Saturday night could provide clues as to his shot to finally make the active roster.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Tonight’s Preseason Finale Is Must See TV For Bills’ Wide Receiver Battle, Final Chance To Earn Spot appeared first on Heavy Sports.