Buffalo Bills Training Camp: Veterans

By: Randall Slifer

NFL training camps are about to begin, and rookies have already reported to their teams this week. Training camp is finally when we see the pads come on, and competition runs fierce. This is where fringe players need to show they are worthy of a roster spot, and new additions are finally getting real reps with their new teams and new systems. Anyone on offense needs to click with Josh Allen to be infused into the offensive game plan, and some players have a chance to show why they were heavily touted coming into the NFL. Today, we will look at the three things I would like to see out of non-rookies during Buffalo’s training camp:

3. Dalton Kincaid looks and feels good

The former first-round pick has been through a rough two years at the beginning of his NFL career. Dalton’s first year showed some promise with his route-running ability and his trusted hands on the sidelines. Buffalo drafted him as a pass-catching tight end, but also needs him as a strong two-tight end set with Dawson Knox. A strong two-tight end set relies on both tight ends being able to block and catch efficiently. In 12 personnel, Joe Brady can disguise his formations and plays, utilizing two tight ends in both the run game and the passing game.

Buffalo would be able to run the ball weak side if Kincaid is a capable blocker, and show the run going strong side, where Knox is a better blocker. Throughout his first two years, Kincaid has dealt with injuries and fluctuations in weight. Buffalo needs Kincaid at 250 pounds to get everything Buffalo drafted him for in 2023. This will help his blocking and strength at the stem of the route, allowing him to continue his route fluidly. There seemed to be a timing issue with Josh and Kincaid, which is related to his ability to get off the line of scrimmage and fight through defenders. I can almost guarantee that the first picture of Dalton Kincaid, showing him walking into St. John Fisher, will be scrutinized until Bill’s fans see a video of him catching a touchdown or a video of his blocking technique. At training camp, I would like to see Dalton’s ability to block and just his timing with Josh Allen. A couple of routes run where the ball is thrown before Dalton breaks off his route would be precisely what we need out of him.

2. Matt Milano and Joey Bosa look young again

Matt Milano is thirty years old, playing in an NFL body that resembles a 28-year-old. To briefly explain, Matt Milano suffered severe injuries in 2023 and 2024, which have prevented him from playing significantly in the past two years. Buffalo and Matt Milano agreed to restructure his contract into a one-year contract, and he will become a free agent next year. Milano flashed against Denver and Baltimore but had a rough game against Kansas City.

It is hard to expect a lot from Milano last year after only playing 12 games in two years. Matt Milano worked hard this offseason, and the actual caveat to his season this year is staying healthy. Matt Milano tore his pectoral muscle during training camp last year, so I will be curious to see how much work he puts in during training camp, or if they ease him into the season, expecting him to shine early in the year. Milano’s talent did not leave his body by any means. During training camp, I would like to see Milano’s closing speed and his agility in coverage. He has a good opportunity to come into this year as a very impactful player and get another contract in Buffalo next year.

Joey Bosa is in a similar boat, except he played the most snaps in 2024 than he has in the last three years. Joey Bosa has battled a plethora of injuries throughout his career, but he signed a one-year deal with Buffalo to make a resurgence in the league. Bosa is only 30 years old, but this is his 10^th year playing in the NFL. His experience alone will help our young core develop and learn from a talented veteran pass rusher, but Buffalo does need production out of Bosa.

He needs to rush the passer, similar to Von, while being better at defending the run. Buffalo drafted a lot of rookie defenders, and having a good veteran starter will allow them to develop better while contributing behind Bosa. At training camp, I would like to see him healthy on a day-to-day basis and showing that his strength is still there after all the injuries. Bosa does not need much ramp-up coming into this season, just learning the system and ready to go in week one of the regular season.

1. Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore continue to look good

Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore were Buffalo’s top free-agent wide receiver pickups during the offseason. Bills Mafia has been up and down about our wide receiver room, as I believe Buffalo has what they need. Josh Palmer was a young wide receiver in a veteran-filled free agency pool this year, and Buffalo happened to land him. At only 25 years old, Palmer has an excellent opportunity to shine in a new system with a top quarterback. Elijah Moore was picked 34^th in the 2021 draft and had a tumultuous first four years in the league. Elijah Moore was drafted by the Jets and subsequently traded to the Browns. Elijah Moore never had a good quarterback to play with throughout his rookie contract, and now he gets Josh Allen for a pivotal year in his career.

Buffalo’s big problem last year with the offense was creating separation and making easy throws, easy. Buffalo was dead last in yards in separation, but still managed to have 30 points per game by the end of the year. The issue with a lack of separation is when the 4^th quarter hits and Buffalo needs a quick 1^st down to extend plays, or give Josh an easy out without needing Joe Brady to dial up the perfect play. Josh Palmer can run a full route tree, which is surprisingly something Buffalo did not have last year. His quick feet and explosion create separation in multiple ways. Palmer’s short and intermediate routes in digs and outs are so efficient that he can create separation by decelerating. He has a high IQ for zone coverage and is excellent at finding open space on option routes, allowing him to sit and catch, then run for first downs. At training camp, I would like to see Josh Palmer using his full route tree and Josh Allen completing passes using every route in the tree.

Elijah Moore ran a 4.35 at his combine and was in the 80+ percentile for all agility and speed drills. The ability to stretch the field is something that Dalton Kincaid and Elijah Moore can do. Elijah’s speed combined with his trusted hands will open up the middle of the field, and allow a true speedster to put defenses back into a cover two shell for Josh Allen. This will enable fewer men in the box, open up the run game, and then force defenses to play the run game.

Once defenses throw more defenders in the box, Elijah Moore is fast enough to take the top off and have efficient deep passing plays. At training camp, I would like to see Elijah Moore run the fluid routes he did in shorts, in pads, and a couple of touchdowns on go routes would be lovely. These two wide receivers fit perfectly in the “everybody eats” mantra as they are not ball hogging players, but contributors to a system that wants defenses to have to account for three potential plays every single down. Brandon Beane did a great job of finding highly talented individuals who strive to become more successful in the NFL.

What veterans on Buffalo’s roster would you like to see perform well during training camp? Reach out to me on Twitter/Bluesky @RandallSlifer and let me know your thoughts. Go Bills!