Orchard Park, N.Y. — The [Buffalo Bills](https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/) began Organized Team Activities on Tuesday and every player on the roster was in attendance except running back James Cook.
The 25-year-old Pro Bowl running back wants a new contract and hasn’t been a part of the Bills’ voluntary offseason program to this point. Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins downplayed Cook’s absence after practice.
“Whatever is going on upstairs, it will handle itself,” Dawkins said. “I do know that with the culture that goes on here is we take care of ours, and some processes are longer than others. ... But realistically, I hate to say it, even though we want 100% of the people here. This is still voluntary ... we’re happy to have everybody that’s here, and for the people that aren’t, we still love them.”
Joey Bosa has taken part in the Bills’ voluntary program but he wasn’t on the field on Tuesday. He pulled a calf muscle last week and Bills coach Sean McDermott thinks he’ll miss the spring practices but will be ready to go for training camp.
The Bills practiced for about two hours on Tuesday and held several periods of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. Here are some observations from the day.
**1\. Elijah Moore shows out on first day**
The Bills made some changes in their wide receiver room this offseason. They let Amari Cooper and Mack Hollins walk in free agency and signed Josh Palmer early in free agency and then added Moore after the NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, Moore looked like he’s been in the Bills offense for years. He was flying around on the field, showing off his signature speed and footwork. The highlight play came in 11-on-11 drills when he beat veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White on a Josh Allen touchdown. Moore had a couple of impressive plays throughout the day.
The veteran, who is playing for his third NFL team in his fifth season, said he’s brought the chip on his shoulder to Buffalo.
“I haven’t really gotten accomplished what I want to accomplish individual and team wise,” he said. “It’s there for a reason because it’s only going to make me hungrier. I stay late. I wake up early, whatever I need to do, I’m gonna get it done. If you say you live football it’s definitely gonna show.”
Moore said he felt comfortable and it showed.
“I’m definitely in my playbook,” he said. “I’m the type of person that if I’m not understanding it, I’m gonna wake up at whatever time I got to to make sure I understand it. That’s just my approach.”
**2\. Rookie defensive linemen flashing**
Players aren’t in pads yet but it was impossible not to notice rookie edge rusher Landon Jackson and defensive tackle T.J. Sanders. Jackson had the day’s only true sack as he used a perfect outside speed rush to blow by the blocker to cause a whistle and a sack on quarterback Mike White. As impressive as Jackson looked on that play, it wasn’t even his most impressive of the day.
Later in team drills, Jackson lined up opposite third-year tackle Richard Gouraige. Jackson’s get-off on the line of scrimmage immediately put the offensive lineman in conflict. As Gouraige rushed to reset his feet, Jackson bulldozed him over on his way to a quarterback pressure. Jackson’s size is impressive but it’s his speed and athleticism that really pops in person on the practice field.
Sanders made several impact plays by beating his blocks and getting into the backfield. He forced an early throw on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and then had a pass breakup later in practice.
**3\. Veteran cornerback struggles**
White gave up a pair of touchdowns on the day - the first to Moore and then another to veteran receiver Curtis Samuel. White matched up with most of the Bills speedsters and had a few reps that didn’t go his way. The veteran was brought in to compete for the starting job opposite Christian Benford.
It’s just one practice and not worth overreacting to, but there are legitimate concerns about White’s ability to cover fast receivers at this stage of his career. When he did get beat in limited lime with the Los Angeles Rams last season, it was usually down the field and while working against a faster player.
**4\. Keon Coleman thriving**
Coleman had one of several Josh Allen touchdowns on the day and he pulled off an impressive move to get separation in a one-on-one rep against safety Cole Bishop.
McDermott was direct when he spoke about Coleman’s rookie season at the start of the offseason. He thought Coleman had an up and down rookie season and challenged the 21-year-old to work hard to improve during the offseason.
So far so good.
“When he came back, he was in really good shape,” McDermott said. “You could tell he had been working - drill wise, weight room wise. So real proud of what he’s done to this point in the offseason. (It’s about) continuing it now as we get into the three weeks of practice.”
**5\. Tight end No. 3 battle heating up already**
Veteran tight end Zach Davidson was one of the training camp standouts last season. He excels as a pass catcher and flashed his hands and celebrations again on Tuesday. He caught a pair of touchdowns and then did a basketball-like celebration with Bills minority owner and NBA legend Vince Carter in attendance. Davidson is big and fast and he usually puts linebackers in a tough spot in coverage. The Bills couldn’t handle him in practice.
Rookie tight end Jackson Hawes also had a nice day, highlighted by a big gain on a pas over the middle from backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky. The two tight ends will battle for a spot behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox this summer.
**6\. Dalton Kincaid TD**
Kincaid was moving well as he continues to recover from a torn PCL sustained last season. He played through the injury and is now in the process of bulking up to try and avoid injury in 2025. He had one touchdown while working in one-on-one coverage against defensive back Cam Lewis. Kincaid showed off his separation ability and Allen had an easy touchdown in the red zone.