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It was clear this offseason that there were positions of need for the Buffalo Bills to get over the hump and into the Super Bowl in 2025.
Position groups such as quarterback, running back and offensive line were already at a premium level, but some defensive positions have received a considerable overhaul this offseason.
A case can be made that each position, even those that were untouched, will be improved in the 2025 season.
Here is a look at each Buffalo Bills position and an argument of why they all will be improved this year.
Quarterback
Why QB will improve in 2025: Playmaking receiver additions
Personnel-wise, the projected 2025 quarterback room will be the same as it was in 2024.
However, with a wide receiver room that features Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel with one year under their belts and newcomers Elijah Moore and Josh Palmer, you could make a great case that Josh Allen can top his MVP 2024 season.
Running back
Why RB will improve in 2025: James Cook in contract season
There are two factors that would lead one to believe that the 2025 Bills running back group will be improved in 2025 compared to 2024 even though the same four players will be back.
The first is that James Cook is in a contract year and will be looking to cash in after the 2025 season (that is if he doesn’t get an extension before the regular season). Motivation will be high for Cook to put up the best numbers possible.
The second factor is that Ray Davis will look to improve on his 2024 rookie campaign that saw him with 631 scrimmage yards and 6 touchdowns, and there is likely some motivation to show his ability to become an RB1 should Cook leave in free agency after the 2025 season.
Wide receiver
Why WR will improve in 2025: Elijah Moore and Josh Palmer additions, continued development of Keon Coleman
Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel will all be back for the Bills in 2025.
The 2024 Bills receivers who initially made the 53-man roster also included Marquez Valdez-Scantling, who recorded two receptions for 26 yards for the Bills before he was released after six games and Mack Hollins who was a reliable target for Josh Allen and always seemed to make plays when the Bills offense needed him most.
Yes, Hollins came up big for Buffalo in key spots in 2024, but Brandon Beane’s decision to not re-sign him showed that he was looking for something more out of the last wide receiver spot.
Newcomers Elijah Moore and Josh Palmer will likely replace MVS and Hollins in 2025.
One of the objectives of Brandon Beane after the 2024 season was to find a wide receiver who could get separation from defensive backs and he found that with Josh Palmer who is among the best in man coverage and can separate downfield.
Elijah Moore is another receiver who should flourish in the Bills offense.
With a 4% drop rate and an excellent ability to separate downfield, Moore completes a Bills wide receiver room that will likely be the most dynamic ever in the Josh Allen era.
Tight end
Why TE will improve in 2025: Dalton Kincaid
Many assumed that Dalton Kincaid would lead the Bills in targets in 2024 and although he did receive the second most targets with 75 in 13 games, much of his 2024 season was hampered by various injuries, which caused him to miss four games.
Kincaid has claimed to be injury free this offseason, and if this is true, he should be top three in targets for the Bills again.
Throw in superb blocking tight ends, Dawson Knox and newly drafted Jackson Hawes, and the Bills tight end room should be better in 2025.
Offensive line
Why OL will improve in 2025: Every lineman will return.
All nine rostered offensive linemen should return in 2025 for the Bills, which is an incredible feat.
The continuity on possibly the best offensive line in the NFL should only improve this season barring injuries.
Defensive end
Why DE will improve in 2025: Bills cut bait on ineffective veterans and added playmakers
The Bills failed to re-sign Casey Toohill and Dawuane Smoot and released Von Miller this offseason. These three veterans combined for only 8.5 sacks in 2024 and accounted for 50% of the Bills defensive end group.
The Bills were looking for a player that would provide immediate impact at the defensive end position and they got just that when they drafted Landon Jackson in the third round of this year’s draft.
With his great length and high motor, Jackson should see significant playing time early and often for the Bills.
The Bills also brought in Joey Bosa, who has averaged just under 10 games played per season in recent years because of injuries.
However, Bosa, who has been given a clean bill of health, has a “17 game average” of 9.5 sacks over this period of time and the Bills might very will be rewarded for taking a flyer on the nine-year veteran.
Combine these new impact players with veteran standout Greg Rousseau, depth player AJ Epenesa and second-year player Javon Soloman, and the 2025 Bills defensive end room should be significantly improved.
Defensive tackle
Why DT will improve in 2025: Bills got bigger and younger
The Bills only rostered four true defensive tackles to start the 2024 season.
Veterans Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and second-year player DeWayne Carter will return but rotational depth tackle Austin Johnson will not.
Instead, the Bills used a second-round pick on TJ Sanders, who should provide an interior pass rush that the Bills have been missing.
The Bills also drafted 6’6″, 330-pound defensive tackle Deone Walker, who will provide solid depth behind Jones.
Linebacker
Why LB will improve in 2025: Full season of Matt Milano, a confident Dorian Williams, and the emergence of Edufan Ulofoshio
The Bills have made zero moves at linebacker this offseason.
In fact, they’ll likely only roster five to begin the season in September versus the six they had last year.
Why is that you may ask?
Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are confident in the cast they currently have.
Barring injuries, All-Pro Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard will start at linebacker for the Bills, but if one of them should go down, Dorian Williams has shown his ability to be a starting-caliber linebacker and two years under his belt will only bolster his confidence.
Also, second-year player Edufan Ulofoshio will be primed to show his ability.
Ulofoshio was drafted in the fifth round in 2023 and will be an upgrade over oft-injured Baylon Spector.
Cornerback
Why CB will improve in 2025: Bills now have a bonafide CB2 and cut bait on Kaiir Elam
When the Bills drafted Maxwell Hairston in the first round in April, it filled the weakest starting hole the team had—CB2.
Hairston will likely join Bills standout veterans Christian Benford (CB1) and Taron Johnson (slot CB) as the Bills starting cornerback trio.
Tre’Davious White rejoined the Bills’ secondary this offseason and is basically replacing former first-round pick, Kaiir Elam, who started only twelve games in his three seasons with the Bills.
Although White had a rash of injuries the last two seasons he was with the Bills, he showed steady improvement throughout the 2024 season with the Rams and Ravens and he has an excellent understanding of the McDermott defensive philosophy.
Safety
Why S will improve in 2025: Cole Bishop is more familiar with the defensive scheme
The Bills will essentially return the exact safety room they had in 2024 this season.
The only difference is, second-year player Cole Bishop will be more acclimated to his role in the Bills’ secondary and will likely overtake Damar Hamlin for the second safety spot along with Taylor Rapp.
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