Buffalo Bills

A slight trend that has taken shape for Buffalo Bills starting running back James Cook in training camp this summer has been some ball-security issues near the end of his plays. On a handful of occasions, Cook has allowed the football to hit the ground, and it happened twice at practice on Wednesday. However, The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia wouldn't expect it to impact Cook's time on the field at this point. However, that could change if his ball-security issues carry into the regular season. For now, Cook is still the team's unquestioned RB1 by a good margin, and it will remain that way until further notice. The 24-year-old had four fumbles in 2023. Power running isn't Cook's forte, but he's a strong pass-catcher and should be more valuable as a high-end RB2 in point-per-reception leagues going into his third year in the NFL.

Things were not going to plan early in training camp for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who was signed late during spring workouts in mid-May, but he's responded well over the last two weeks and has seen his time with quarterback Josh Allen during team drills steadily grow. It has come as Buffalo's receiver battle has thinned out a bit. Outside of Tyrell Shavers, Chase Claypool (toe) hasn't practiced in over a week, and with each passing day of non-participation, he likely sees his chances of making the team slightly decrease. Justin Shorter has also been hurt, and KJ Hamler mostly works with the second unit. Given the guaranteed money given to MVS, his odds of making the team seem quite good as of now. However, he still has Khalil Shakir, rookie Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins ahead of him on the depth chart.

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that quarterback Josh Allen will start in Saturday's preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, and he will play about a quarter. The 28-year-old could benefit from some preseason action given the turnover to his pass-catching group. With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis out of town, Allen will need to work quickly to develop chemistry with newcomers Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, among others. Buffalo could get out to a slow start offensively until the new faces get comfortable, but these reps before the regular season could help speed the process along. Once again, Allen is the consensus QB1 in 2024 fantasy football drafts. Even if his passing numbers take a hit, his rushing upside insulates him as an elite fantasy option.

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (groin, rest) didn't suit up for Sunday's practice session. Head coach Sean McDermott said that this was a rest day for the veteran tight end. That being said, fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned as Knox has been dealing with a groin issue as well. Knox is looking for a bounce back campaign after a rough 2023 season. He finished with 22 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games last season. Before that, Knox had two straight seasons with 45-plus catches and over 500 yards each season. The Bills lost a few offensive contributors this offseason which could possibly lead to more targets for Knox. However, the arrival of Dalton Kincaid could continue putting Knox on the backburner.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman has had a promising training camp. More importantly, he continues to build chemistry with quarterback Josh Allen. With that said, Coleman continues to shine, with the Bills posting a video showing the rookie making an impressive catch during Sunday's session. Buffalo took Coleman with the No. 33 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft after amassing 115 catches for 1,506 yards and 19 touchdowns across three collegiate seasons. While the Bills have Curtis Samuel and Khalil Shakir, among others, fighting for the right to be the No. 1 option for Josh Allen, it appears Coleman is already at the top of the depth chart heading into Week 1.