This weekend will be the first time in the NFL season we’ll have a chance to see players taking reps with Bills helmets on. We’re eager to see what the draftees, the UDFAs and the camp invites will look like, and for the most part it will give us a chance to ooh and ahh and imagine what the regular season might bring for the rookie class.

But an important aspect of the upcoming minicamp is the impact it has had in years past.

The Bills have unearthed some rare diamonds during their Rookie minicamps. Kingsley Jonathan, Quintin Morris, Cam Lewis, Jamarcus Ingram, and “Buffalo” Joe Andreesen have all made the 53 man roster after turning heads at camp. The final three are all notable as they all have the UB Bulls as their Alma Mater.

This year’s list of rookie minicamp invites contains some intriguing options that have a chance of earning their way into a spot on the 53 man roster. Some are long shots, but for some, they could be earning themselves a job in the fall if they perform well this weekend.

The Draftees

The Bills will begin their install to start loading up positional schemes and terminology for the drafted rookies. This is the Bills first real opportunity to see how quickly the rookie class can take on the defensive playbook and methodologies and can give us our first insights into what a player’s trajectory might look like. Will they be competing for a starting job, or do they slot more into a developmental role?

Last year, Ray Davis looked like a pro from the jump, while Cole Bishop took more of a “let’s go slow” approach.

This year the DBs will take Center stage as we’ll look to see how Mad Max, Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong look in practice reps competing against the other UDFAs and camp invites.

The Dline should also be a position to watch as T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson, and Deone Walker face off against the rookie Olinemen brought in. Get ready to hear “Deone Walker is gigantic,” quite a lot in camp reports.

I’ll be keeping an eye out for Garrett Hawes usage during camp reps, specifically are they running him through linemen reps, focusing on blocking, or does he take reps with the WRs running routes and catching the football?

Here’s the full list:

  • Maxwell Hairston, CB Kentucky
  • T.J. Sanders, DT South Carolina
  • Landon Jackson, DE Arkansas
  • Deone Walker, DT Kentucky
  • Jordan Hancock, CB Ohio State
  • Jackson Hawes, TE Georgia Tech
  • Dorian Strong, CB Virginia Tech
  • Chase Lundt, OT UConn
  • Kaden Prather, WR Maryland

UDFAs

Many of the prospects that still had a draftable grade for me after the draft was over, decided to join other teams. It makes sense for them, as this roster is going to be a hard nut to crack. Many of the players may see themselves as a great fit for the style of football the Bills play and have seen that the team isn’t reluctant to reward the best player with a spot on the roster.

The clearest path to a roster spot appears to be LB and S, though even those might be full with free agents and draft picks likely to fill the roster spots. This list is likely the future practice squad, though watch for Wande Owens and Keonta Jenkins , to see if they flash during drills.

Here’s the full list:

(sourced from https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/bills-draft-updates/buffalo-bills-2025-undrafted-free-agent-tracker-wr-help-joins-after-the-draft)

Image Credit : Paul Hokanson – UB Athletics

Camp Invites

The position group with the clearest path to a roster spot is the punter position, with Sam Martin having been released and without a clear replacement in place. Jake Camarta and Brad Robbins are being given the chance to rehabilitate their careers, but don’t be surprised if U.B. P Ethan Duane or Duquesne P Kyle Romenick boot their way into entering the training camp competition deep into the summer.

RB could be an interesting position as the number 4 RB spot should be an open competition between Darrynton Evans and former UDFA and practice squad player Frank Gore, Jr. Could East Carolina RB Rahjai Harris or East Carolina RB Joshua Carter make some noise if they show some juice during camp? Rahjai Harris in particular was a bell cow back for East Carolina with 1,166 yards on 206 carries in his redshirt senior season.

Here’s the full list:

  • Fresno State DB Cam Lockridge
  • Marshall Edge Elijah Alston
  • Stanford C Levi Rogers
  • Samford LB Noah Martin
  • Miami LS Mason Napper
  • Troy CB Demajae Yancey
  • QB Tyler Elgersma
  • UB P Ethan Duane
  • East Carolina RB Rahjai Harris
  • Duquesne P – Kyle Romenick
  • Eastern Kentucky RB Joshua Carter

Post Views: 306