For the 24th time, the Buffalo Bills are hosting their training camp at St. John Fisher University. But for the first time in franchise history, their training camp will be featured on the HBO documentary series, Hard Knocks.
Fans of the series know that watching position battles play out, provides arguably the most entertaining dynamic on the show. While the Bills have most of their starters pencilled in, there are some players fighting for the chance to increase their roles, ahead of week one.
These four players experienced their fair share of struggles last season, but the book is not written on any of them, and having a strong training camp can make-or-break their roles on the team. Without further ado, here are the players whose training camp performance matters most:
4 Bills who need to shine in training camp
1. WR Curtis Samuel
After signing a 3-year, $24 million contract last offseason, Samuel was supposed to be a positionless receiver who could add to the Bills diverse set of weapons. However, he ended up having one of the worst seasons of his career while dealing with nagging injuries.
The former Carolina Panther and Washington Commander, who was familiar with Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, recorded just 31 catches for 253 yards and one touchdown during his first season with the Bills.
In need of a boost to their receiver room, the Bills added multiple pass-catchers this offseason, including Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore. The latter of which has a similar skillset to Samuel, who relies on speed to separate from opposing defensive backs — and can also operate from the slot.
Samuel provided a shimmer of hope during the postseason, but it might not be enough to push him into a starting role, unless he outplays the competition at training camp. Otherwise, the Bills can save more than $15 million by trading him away, according to Over The Cap.
2. S Cole Bishop
Bishop is another player who dealt with injuries last season, specifically in training camp, after the Bills selected him in the second round. As a result, the early portion of his rookie season was disappointing and it paved the way to Damar Hamlin starting 17 games, including the playoffs.
But the former Utah Ute grew stronger as the season progressed, showing flashes of the player who Buffalo drafted. One that can handle both safety positions and use his athleticism to make plays on the ball.
Luckily for Bishop, he will have every opportunity to start in week one, assuming his training camp goes better than last season. Outside of signing Darrick Forrest to a one-year contract, the Bills didn't make any significant upgrades to the safety position — and Bishop's upside is much higher than the recently re-signed Hamlin.
As part of upgrading their secondary this offseason, the Bills are expecting some in-house improvements and that starts with Bishop. Pairing his development with the drafting of cornerback Maxwell Hairston, will likely improve the defensive backfield in 2025. Otherwise, the safety position becomes a significant need for next offseason.
3. DT DeWayne Carter
Unlike the other players on this list, Carter is dealing with the strongest competition for snaps ahead of next season. After struggling for most of his rookie campaign, he has found himself near the bottom of the depth chart, especially after the Bills added three defensive tackles between free agency and the draft.
The Bills drafted Carter to be a penetrating 3-tech defensive tackle who could develop into a strong interior pass-rusher. However, he hasn't shown much flash and the team is considering a move to nose tackle for 2025.
Carter has never played that position, but the Bills are thinner there, so it provides some hope for the former Duke Blue Devil. He still has the tools to become an impact player, but time is already ticking for the 2024 third round pick.
4. DE A.J. Epenesa
The former second round draft pick in 2020 has never blossomed into anything more than a rotational pass-rusher for the Bills, maxing out at 55% of the team's defensive snaps last season. A.J. Epenesa has recorded at least six sacks in three consecutive years, but the Bills were compelled to upgrade his position by adding Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht and Landon Jackson.
Considering the team can save nearly $8 million by trading him away, Epenesa is potentially fighting for a roster spot at training camp.
While he has shown flashes of the player Buffalo drafted, he has struggled to become the every down Edge defender that he was supposed to become after playing at the University of Iowa — and he's never recorded a sack in the playoffs, across 12 games.
The Bills coaching staff will have tough decisions to make during their Hard Knocks debut, making for an entertaining season of behind-the-scenes training camp access. For these players in particular, it will be a grueling month, hoping their hard work earns them a starting role during the 2025 season.
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