The [Buffalo Bills](https://buffalowdown.com/pff-rankings-shows-major-reason-why-josh-allen-will-win-mvp-again-in-2025-01jzksfh12rc) are the favorites to come out of the AFC for the first time since the early 1990s, and there is good reason for it. They have the league MVP under center and a very young roster around him. But the biggest question is if they have enough weapons to ultimately accomplish their goals.
The Bills are hoping that several of their young players can take a step forward, including Keon Coleman, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid. And while there is reason to believe that one or two of those players can improve in 2025, hope isn’t a strategy. And the fact is that their skill position talent just isn’t up to par compared to the other AFC contenders.
Bills' offensive weapons face major disrespect
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In a [recent article by Bill Barnwell of ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45679684/ranking-nfl-teams-wr-te-rb-groups-2025-season-best-players-playmakers-offense), he ranked every team’s skill position units heading into the 2025 season. Not only did the Bills rank near the bottom compared to the other AFC contenders (Chiefs, Ravens, Bengals, Texans), but they finished 28th overall on the list. Here is a snippet of what Barnwell had to say about the Bills going into the season:
> "Second-round pick Keon Coleman averaged 19.2 yards per catch, but he wasn't able to command a consistent role in the lineup and had just three catches on 46 routes in the postseason. Free agent addition Curtis Samuel was often anonymous, and while Mack Hollins exceeded expectations, he has been replaced by former Chargers wideout Joshua Palmer."
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> Bill Barnwell, ESPN
It’s not a surprise that the No. 1 team on this list (Philadelphia Eagles) are also the reigning Super Bowl champions as they had weapons galore on offense. And almost all of the top offenses in the NFL ranked inside the top 12 of Barnwell’s list. Having dynamic weapons in the passing game can make a huge difference, especially once you get to the postseason.
The Bills have a lot of depth at receiver, and the hope is that players like Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore can raise the floor of the unit. But there isn’t a go-to No. 1 receiver on the roster who can take over games of a speedster who can consistently create big plays down the field. That puts more pressure on the shoulders of Josh Allen to carry the offense.
Buffalo has tried to find a solution to this problem in recent years, as they have traded big-time assets for Stefon Diggs and Amari Cooper. They’ve also used a bunch of early-round draft capital trying to bring in talent, but they’ve yet to find their long-term solution.
Unless someone takes a big step forward, it’s hard to see how this unit is going to improve much during the 2025 season. That doesn’t mean they can’t make it to the Super Bowl, but it’s going to require Allen to play even better, especially in the postseason. And that is a lot of pressure on a player who is already asked to shoulder so much of the offensive load.
The good news is that the Bills still have the flexibility to make a move between now and the trade deadline if they don’t feel like the wide receivers and tight ends are up to par. But as we enter training camp, it’s hard to get too excited about these two positions, especially when you compare them to their peers in the AFC.
More Bills news and analysis:
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