Latest news with #JoshuaPalmer
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffalo Bills Added 'Summer Breakout Candidate'
Buffalo Bills Added 'Summer Breakout Candidate' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "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." Related: Bills Signing Josh Allen to New $330 Million Contract About To Pay Off Related: Bills' Josh Allen And Hailee Steinfeld Wedding Guest List Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Believes Bills Final-Round Draft Has 'Tools' To Be Roster Surprise
Analyst Believes Bills Final-Round Draft Has 'Tools' To Be Roster Surprise originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Six of the nine 2025 draft picks by the Buffalo Bills last April showed the focus on the defensive side of the ball. Five of the first picks were concentrated on that side as well. Advertisement But what if the organization's most underrated selection from this past draft wasn't on the defensive side of the ball? What if it was actually the team's last selection that left the biggest impact? That's what NFL reporter Ronnie Eastham is arguing with seventh-round receiver Kaden Prather. Locked in a loaded receiving room, Pratham will have to earn not just a roster spot, but any playing time at all. "There hasn't been a lot of talk about Bills' rookie wide receiver Kaden Prather immediately following the draft, but at nearly 6'4", over 200 pounds, with a 4,47 40-time, Prather has the tools," Eastham reported. "He also had a solid showing at the Bills' rookie minicamp. "Prather was praised for his route running and impressive catches during the two-day rookie camp. Prather is a long shot to make the Bills' 53-man roster and will likely be a practice squad candidate to begin his career." Advertisement There's one problem with the Bills and their seventh-rounder, though. He's involved in a depth chart that is completely loaded with higher draft picks, and name free agent acquisitions. Whether it's second-year starter Keon Coleman, newly signed free agent Joshua Palmer, or bottom of the roster candidates in Laviska Shenault, there's no guarantee that the Bills will have a spot for Prather. At the very least, the rookie has a long way to go. Related: Josh Allen Wins Big with Bills 'Most Underrated' Receiver Related: This 'Has To Be The Year' For Bills And Josh Allen This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bills' Joe Brady Offers Positive Scouting Report On Joshua Palmer
Bills' Joe Brady Offers Positive Scouting Report On Joshua Palmer originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills' offense last season was one of the better units in football, and with a "everybody eats" mantra, every player got their lick of the ice cream. Advertisement Still, there was something missing, and for most, that was a No. 1 receiver. Despite the Bills' offense, under the guidance of Joe Brady, averaging 30.9 points a game en route to winning 13 regular-season games, more weapons were needed. At least that was the thought, anyway. Enter Los Angeles Chargers receiver Joshua Palmer, who was signed in free agency to help bring a speed and vertical threat to the offense. As Bills OTAs have gotten underway, Brady has liked what he has seen from Josh Allen's newest weapon. "I've been a fan of Josh's since he was coming out [of college]," Brady said. "He's an intelligent football player, conscientious, wants to know the why and the big picture to everything. Kind of a seamless fit for our room, he's a guy that can play all the positions, play inside, outside, it was a great get for us." Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) runs the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium.© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Palmer will join a receiver room headlined by Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Elijah Moore, with Allen orchestrating what Bills Mafia hopes is another top-tier offensive unit in 2025. Advertisement Despite that collection of talent, some still want the Bills to go after another receiver, and one who can be at the top of the depth chart. But Buffalo, per Over The Cap, only has $1.6 million in cap space, and last season proved the offense doesn't need a No. 1 guy; the collection of talent proved it can get the job done. Palmer is the new guy on the block, and he's making a good impression in his new surroundings. Related: Bills Signed $80 Million Edge Rusher With Plan for Bigger Role Related: Bills Predicted To Replace James Cook in 2026 Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Allen's Bills Finally Have 'Supporting Cast' For Super Bowl Push
It is clear that the Buffalo Bills needed to focus all of their attention this offseason on defense. Josh Allen and the offense were one of the best units in football last season, and yes they added Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore in free agency, but defense was still the priority. Advertisement Joey Bosa, Michael Hoecht, Larry Ogunjobi, and Darrick Forrest were signed to give the defensive line some more bite, along with some secondary help from Forrest. Then the Bills used their first five picks of the draft on defense, further bolstering key positions with starting-caliber players and potential rotational players. For Pro Football Focus, given how Buffalo has attacked its defense this offseason, a Super Bowl run is on the cards. "After finishing 28th in team defense grade last season, the Bills made the smart move to reload on that side of the ball in the 2025 draft," Pro Football Focus writes. "First-round cornerback Maxwell Hairston is expected to step into a starting role right away, while defensive linemen T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, and Deone Walker all have the tools to compete for immediate playing time in the trenches. Advertisement "Even late-round picks like cornerback Dorian Strong and safety Jordan Hancock could contribute early and bolster the team's depth. If Buffalo can get meaningful snaps from just a few of these rookies, they'll have the supporting cast needed to make a serious Super Bowl push." Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed OliverGregory Fisher-Imagn Images The free agency signings loom as the biggest keys here, and once Ogunjobi and Hoecht get back from their suspensions, the pass rush and defensive line bite will be something that Sean McDermott will hang his hat on. Plus if, and that's a big if, Bosa can recapture some sort of form, to go with A.J. Epensea and Greg Rousseau, the Bills could have one of the better defensive units in football. Advertisement Couple that with one of the best offensive units in football, and now you have a genuine Super Bowl challenger. And after an offseason that has had a clear defensive focus, if that unit can produce as the Bills think it can, it will be a good supporting cast to Allen and the high-octane offense that will be pushing this team toward Super Bowl glory. Related: Why Isn't Buffalo Bills MVP Josh Allen on TV? Related: Bills James Cook Offers 1-Word Reaction To Derrick Henry's New Contract
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Josh Palmer Addresses Impact On Bills Offensive Success
When Joshua Palmer signed a three-year deal in free agency with the Buffalo Bills, some analysts and fans were left puzzled. Palmer has never recorded a 1,000-yard season, and the Bills need of a true #1 receiver was not solved. The former Charger is a complimentary piece at this point in his career. Advertisement That doesn't mean he can't make an immediate impact on the roster. The veteran receiver believes he can be the missing piece to their championship aspiration. "I run every route to win, so, if it doesn't come to me, great. If it comes to me, even better, because I know I'm running my route to get somebody else open," said Palmer during an interview on One Bills Live. "And if this whole mantra is everybody eats, then if I run a great route to pull the coverage, then I know my counterparts are also running great routes to get the ball." Palmer knows what it is like to play with a very talented quarterback. He put up over 500 yards receiving in three of the last four seasons he was with Los Angeles. That mark of consistency, while not jaw-dropping, shows a player capable of providing necessary help to an offense. The Tennessee product still has a lot of work to do to get acclimated to the new offense, though. And there's plenty of time to get to that point with a league MVP at quarterback. Advertisement Palmer isn't a true No. 1 receiver, but the Bills may just need a player like him to get over the hump in the conference. Related: Bills' Super Bowl Hopes Hang On 1 Key Thing Related: Bills Schedule Release Wish Is Prime-Time Revenge
