The Buffalo Bills are trying to make their way to the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance in 30 years. General manager Brandon Beane has been wheeling and dealing this offseason trying to construct the best possible roster they can to bring the Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo.
Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine identified each NFL team's most important position battle and breakout candidate, with both categories directly tied to moves Beane has made this offseason.
The Bills' top summer breakout candidate is former Los Angeles Chargers' wide receiver Joshua Palmer.
"Josh Palmer might not be a breakout player in the traditional sense, but he's someone who could have a bigger impact than most are anticipating." Ballentine wrote. "General manager Brandon Beane was adamant that the Bills had the right receivers on the roster after the draft. Adding Palmer is one of the reasons why."
Ballentine believes that playing next to Josh Allen specifically can help elevate Palmer's production to the next level.
"He already has four years of NFL experience, including a 769-yard season in 2022." Ballentine noted. "But he's still just 25 years old, and playing in a more established offensive ecosystem in Buffalo with Josh Allen could see him reach a different level."
Ballentine drew attention to the cornerback position as the most important position battle for the Bills, especially as it pertains to who starts on the outside opposite of Christian Benford.
"The Bills have every right to be thinking Super Bowl, but they won't get there if they don't have the secondary to compete with elite offenses." Ballentine wrote. "That's one of the biggest questions heading into summer team activities. Specifically, who is starting across from Christian Benford?"
The Bills brought back a pair of veterans in Dane Jackson and Tre'Davious White, while also drafting a pair of cornerbacks in Maxwell Hairston and Dorian Strong, meaning there's a lot of possibilities for how the battle could shake out.
"Rasul Douglas manned the spot last season, but he struggled late in the season and hasn't been re-signed." Ballentine pointed out. "Ideally, Hairston would be able to win the job as a first-round pick. That would go a long way toward helping fans forget about the Kaiir Elam experience."