This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.
The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/DontNeedBreakfast on 2025-08-09 16:39:29+00:00.
Buffalo Bills
Division: AFC East
2024 Record: 13-4
Nobody circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills. Unfortunately, nobody circles success without reaching the ultimate goal like the Bills either. After another inspiring season that many of us couldn’t have even dreamed of over our 17-year playoff drought, the Bills once again fell to the Chiefs in the playoffs in heartbreaking fashion. Some untimely injuries to the secondary and overall sub-par defense capped the season at the AFCCG. Ultimately that’s better than most expected for a 2024 season in which most pundits pegged as a “Soft-Rebuild”. The Bills were expected to take a step back but instead Josh Allen catapulted the team back to the AFCCG for the first time since his break-out 2020 campaign. Now after a bit of a cap reset and infusion of young talent on defense, the Bills are poised to make another run at their first championship in franchise history.
Coaching Changes
Coaches Out:
|| || |Coach|Position|Destination| |Matthew Smiley|Special Team Coordinator|Nowhere| |Scott Booker|Nickel Coach|Patriots |
Coaches In:
|| || |Coach|Position| |Chris Tabor|Special Teams Coordinator| |Ryan Nielson|Senior Defensive Assistant| |Mike Pellegrino|Nickel Coach |
After multiple seasons with a bottom third of the league special teams unit, Matthew Smiley was finally relieved of his duties. There have been multiple ST gaffes that have cost the Bills over the last couple of years. Chris Tabor comes in with a ton of respect from around the league lifting multiple teams to top 10 special teams rankings.
Ryan Nielson comes over as a senior defensive consultant after being the Defensive Coordinator for the Jags and Falcons over the last few years. Ryan cut his teeth as a defensive line coach most notably with the Saints. He brings with him an attacking style that incorporates a ton of stunts and games from the front seven. It will be a breath of fresh air that is much needed for the Bills’ DLine.
Mike Pellegrino comes over as the nickel coach after serving the same role with the Patriots. A Bill Belichick disciple, Mike is also known for his aggressive style. It seems to be a theme for the Bills this offseason moving away from their often-conservative style of defense of the past few years. Funny enough, the Patriots took in the former Bills Nickel coach this offseason.
Free Agency
Players lost/cut
|| || |Player|Position|New team| |Mack Hollins|WR|Patriots| |Casey Toohill|DE|Texans| |Dawuane Smoot|DE|Jaguars| |Austin Johnson|DT|Chargers| |Von Miller|DE|Commanders| |Rasul Douglas|CB|Free Agent| |Amari Cooper|WR|Free Agent|
Of all the losses, it can be argued the only players the Bills even considered bringing back out of this group is Mack Hollins. Mack brings the energy and has to be on the all-time vibes team. A roll player on offense that excels with his run blocking and physicality. Von Miller hasn’t been the same since his 2022 Knee injury so his release brought some much-needed cap relief. Rasul Douglas, while a full-time starter, looks to have lost a step ranking near the bottom of the league in coverage grades.
|| || |Player|Position|Old Team|Length|Salary| |Christian Benford|CB|Re-sign|4 Years|$69MM| |Greg Rousseau|DE|Re-sign|4 Years|$80MM| |Terrell Bernard|LB|Re-sign|4 Years|$42MM| |Khalil Shakir|WR|Re-sign|4 Years|$53MM| |Ty Johnson|RB|Re-sign|2 Years|$5MM| |Demar Hamlin|S|Re-sign|1 Year|$2MM| |Joey Bosa|DE|Chargers|1 Year|$12MM| |Larry Ogunjobi|DT|Steelers|1 Year|$6.7MM| |Michael Hoecht|DE|Rams|3 Years|$21MM| |Josh Palmer|WR|Chargers|3 Years|$29MM| |Derrick Forrest|S|Commanders|1 Year|$1.3MM| |Elijah Moore|WR|Browns|1 Year|$2MM| |Tre White|CB|Ravens|1 Year|$3MM|
The first order for the Bills this offseason was taking care of their own. Benford and Rousseau were the best defenders on the team last season. Both players signed for below market value. While they might not put up the gaudiest stats, they are young and already among the best at their positions. The next key defender to lock up as a core piece was Bernard. As the lone defensive captain and defensive play-caller last year, Bernard had a small dip in production. As an under-sized LB he can get lost in the run game at times when the guys up front don’t keep him clean but is one of the better players at creating splash plays. Overall, the contract was fair value and a good signing.
Joey Bosa was brought in as a high risk, high reward signing. The veteran edge rusher has struggled to stay healthy of late. He will most likely be on a snap count all season in hopes of making a playoff impact. I personally think it was a good bet to make, the Bills DLine has shrunk in big moments against the Chiefs the last 2 years, so taking the bet on upside was too good to pass up. Larry O and Michael Hoecht were brought in to reinforce the DLine. Both players have been suspended for PEDs but add much needed depth up front.
On the Offensive side of the ball. Khalil Shakir put up a career year. He has become the safety valve for Josh Allen as well as one of the best WRs at creating after the catch. Another value contract resigning by Beane and Company. Shakir has elite contact balance and may have room to take another step forward this season. Ty Johnson was retained to be the 3rd down back. Josh Allen has called him the best 3rd down back in the league. I didn’t think we would be able to keep him and am very glad he is back. Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore have been brought in to help a WR core that struggled to separate at times. Both players should be an upgrade against man coverage, with Palmer replacing the role that was filled by the corps of Amari Cooper for the second half of the season
Round
|| || ||Number|Player|Position|School| |1|30|Maxwell Hairston|CB|Kentucky| |2 3 4 5 5 6 7|41 |TJ Sanders |DT |South Carolina Arkansas Kentucky Ohio St Georgia Tech Virginia Tech Maryland | |3|72|Landon Jackson|DE|Arkansas| |4|109|Deone Walker|DT|Kentucky| |5|170|Jordan Hancock|CB/S|Ohio St| |5|173|Jackson Hawes|TE|Georgia Tech| |6|177|Dorian Strong|CB|Virginia Tech| |6|206|Chase Lundt|T|UCONN| |7|240|Kaden Prather|WR|Georgia|
Maxwell Hairston: A-
Mad Max is a playmaking zone corner. With elite speed and change of direction that helps him make breaks on the ball in off coverage. He has the physical tools to develop into a good man corner but he was not often asked to do that in college. It would be a disappointment if he did not win the CB2 job across from Benford.
TJ Sanders: B
TJ Sanders is an explosive athlete with good hand usage. Not the biggest DT but he plays with power and quickness. He will immediately become a rotational DT who should see a lot of pass rush snaps. In my opinion, the Bills could have used a bigger 1T DT but Sean McDermott has stayed true to himself and puts most of his focus on stopping the pass while inviting the run. Sanders is by no means poor against the run but he is also not a space eater.
Landon Jackson: A
I was shocked to see Jackson still on the board at pick 72. He is a big physical edge defender who immediately should be able to set the edge in the run game but still has the physical upside to develop into a plus pass rusher. He can be a little stiff at times but he makes up for it with a relentless motor. He should play a good amount on 1st and 2nd down to start the season with Michael Hoecht serving his suspension. If he has a good camp, he could possibly make AJ Epenesa expendable.
Deone Walker: C+
Deone Walker is a massive human being. He followed up an amazing 2023 season with a sub-par 2024. His performance can partially be attributed to a back injury that wasn’t found until after the season. As big as he is, he gets moved in the run game and struggles to anchor. This is a bet on physical upside. He will have an opportunity to compete with Dewayne Carter (3rd round last season) for snaps to start the year while Larry O is suspended. I would expect Walker to be a game-day inactive more often than not this season.
Jordan Hancock: B
Jordan Hancock is a versatile piece in the secondary that brings some juice to the defensive backfield. We will have to wait to see whether he plays as a nickel corner or a safety. It seems like he will start off at safety based off Brandon Beane’s comments. For year 1 he will mostly play special teams unless injury forces him into action.
Jackson Hawes: B-
Hawes was probably the best blocking TE in the draft. He plays a violent brand of football for an Ivy League transfer. This addition may end up allowing the Bills to play less 6 OL sets where they led the league in 2024. He is a lock to make the 53 man roster.
Dorian Strong: B
What year is it? The Bills picked a high upside round 1 corner and followed it up with a 6th round flier. Strong was expected to go sooner in this draft and it was relatively surprising to see him available with the first pick of the sixth round. Strong will be asked to contribute on special teams as he battles for a roster spot with Dane Jackson and Jamarcus Ingram.
Chase Lundt: C
This is an Aaron Kromer pick. Tall, athletic tackle who needs development. I don’t think he makes the 53 and he may get poached by another team. If he doesn’t he will spend the year on the practice squad.
Kaden Prather: C
I won’t lie, I had to look this player up when he was drafted. Prather has decent size and speed as an o…
Content cut off. Read original on old.reddit.com/…/2025_offseason_review_buffalo_bi…