The Buffalo Bills will enter the next phase of their offseason this week, with mandatory minicamp taking place in Orchard Park. The minicamp is scheduled for three days, and it will give the Bills more time to showcase their respective talents as coaches get their last looks at players before training camp in July.
With the caveat that it is still early, and still only June, here are five things to watch for at Bills mandatory minicamp.
1. Is James Cook in attendance?
We’ll start with the most obvious question – does Cook, the Bills’ top running back, make an appearance? Cook, who is seeking a contract extension, was a no-show at the Bills’ voluntary OTAs. General manager Brandon Beane, different Bills coaches and teammates have all expressed that the Bills still “love ‘Jimbo.’ ” If Cook is to skip – or to show up and not participate – will that sour the Bills? Cook, 25, was strong for the Bills last season, and the team knows that. The disagreement is just on his exact value. The two sides met but were not able to come to an agreement during the offseason, leading to Cook’s dissatisfaction.
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Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman makes a catch during organized team activities at One Bills Drive on May 27. Derek Gee, Buffalo News
2. Which WRs separate themselves from the group?
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James Cook is expected at mandatory minicamp this week and he should bring a contract proposal with him.
With quarterback Josh Allen expected to be back for mandatory minicamp, the Bills wide receivers will get more time on task with the reigning MVP. What does that mean for different receivers? The group is still relatively new when it comes to forming rapport with Allen – only receiver Khalil Shakir has caught passes from Allen in more than one season. From younger receivers like Keon Coleman, to brand new to Buffalo players like Joshua Palmer or Elijah Moore, this is the time to work on the connection with Allen. The Bills are continuing their “Everybody Eats” mantra in the sense that offensive coordinator Joe Brady wants to continue to spread the ball around to all of his options. Still, the team is expecting Coleman to take a step and waiting to see what other members of the receiving corps may make a jump as well.
3. What happens in the punter competition?
Ah yes, a special teams battle. The Bills are in need of a new punter, and Jake Camarda and Brad Robbins will be punting it out to see who can win that spot. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor – who is also new to the Bills – has been through competitions like this before, and he, so far, is “real pleased” with both players. “Well, both guys have experience,” Tabor said. “Both have kicked in this league, so you're not worried about can they do it in a game and will it be too big for them? Both have a little different styles to them, and I like that. It's just gonna be a matter of how this thing all plays out, and I think we still have a bit of time. We'll see where it goes.”
4. How well is the defensive line gelling?
The defensive line has been revamped, and now is the time for the group to start bonding together. There is some limited time for that to happen, as Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi will start the season suspended for six games each. So, how does the group weave those two into the fold while also accounting for their upcoming absence? Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich has a twofold plan. “I think as far as for them, it’s finding that sweet spot of where, once they have to leave us, you’re making sure that they have a good foundation to them,” Babich said last week at OTAs. “And then secondly, as a defense coordinator, you just adjust.”
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The Bills hope defensive back Cole Bishop, facing the Ravens in the AFC divisional playoff game in January, can take a step forward this season. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
5. How is the safety competition progressing?
Babich said at OTAs that every spot is an open competition – wide open, he even says. Still, some spots would appear more open than others. At safety, the Bills are hoping for second-year safety Cole Bishop to take a step forward, after he dealt with a training camp injury that slowed his progression last year. Safety Damar Hamlin, who started last season, was present at last week’s OTAs, but not participating. Will Bishop be able to take advantage of additional reps? His communication has seemed quite good so far during OTAs, and his rapport with Taylor Rapp is strong. If Hamlin is to miss more time, Bishop could solidify his spot on the eventual depth chart.
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