The Buffalo Bills focused heavily on bolstering their defense during this year’s NFL Draft, adding reinforcements along the defensive line and in the secondary. This strategy directly addressed their most glaring weakness—the defense that faltered once again against the Kansas City Chiefs in the postseason. However, the focus on defense came at the cost of upgrading the offense, which saw minimal additions. The only offensive reinforcement came with their final draft pick: a wide receiver. But according to insiders, even his spot on the roster is far from secure.
In a preseason roster projection, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia predicted that the Bills are likely to retain six wide receivers and cut rookie seventh-rounder Kaden Prather.
Prather had a productive college career split between West Virginia and Maryland, posting 162 receptions for 1,966 yards and 12 touchdowns. His final two seasons at Maryland were especially strong, where he tallied 1,290 yards and nine touchdowns. He also contributed some rushing yards, pushing his total yardage past the 2,000 mark.
Buscaglia noted that special teams contributions will likely play a critical role in roster decisions this year, prompting the Bills to carry an extra receiver compared to recent seasons.
On social media, some fans remain optimistic about Prather’s potential. “The more I watch of Kaden Prather the more I like him,” one user wrote. “He’s a big receiver who makes tough plays and doesn’t shy away from physicality, including downfield blocking.”
Buscaglia listed Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Joshua Palmer, and Curtis Samuel as roster locks, with Elijah Moore nearly assured a spot as well. Laviska Shenault remains on the roster bubble, but his value as a return specialist could give him the edge, especially with the NFL’s recent rule changes designed to increase kickoff returns.
If Shenault makes the cut, Prather would be among several wideouts—such as K.J. Hamler, Jalen Virgil, and Tyrell Shavers—on the outside looking in. The Bills would likely try to retain Prather on the practice squad, hoping he can continue to develop and be ready in case of injuries during the season or to earn a roster spot in the future.
Buffalo’s early roster decisions are shaping up to be highly competitive.