With training camp coming to a close, the Buffalo Bills are set to kick off their preseason this weekend, offering opportunities for many players to make their mark. As of 2024, the three preseason games allow young players and rookies to gain some NFL experience. These games also give players a chance to prove themselves, often competing for backup roles or spots on special teams.
As each preseason game unfolds, players will be cut based on their performance or their value to the team. Here are three Bills players who are likely to be cut after the first week of the preseason.
TE Tre’ McKitty
The tight end position doesn’t require a large roster, with most teams carrying only three to four. The Bills have already secured their top three tight ends: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, and Quintin Morris. McKitty has been vying for Morris’s spot, but the competition has intensified.
During training camp, tight end Zach Davidson has been turning heads with his impressive performance, even earning some reps with the first team. Davidson has been making big plays daily, and if he continues this trajectory, McKitty might find himself off the roster after the first preseason game.
WR Andy Isabella
The Bills’ offense has already started to narrow down its choices for the final roster, and Isabella is not in the top picks. He has mainly been contributing on special teams as a kick returner, but he is in competition with KJ Hamler and Daquan Hardy for that role.
Hamler has been getting some time with the backup offense, suggesting he might be leading the battle. Hardy, being a rookie, is still an unknown quantity, which puts Isabella in a precarious position.
Isabella has been in the league for a while, and his value is well known—primarily his speed and experience in the return game. However, Hardy’s potential is still a mystery, and the Bills might prefer to explore what he can offer. All three players are likely to see action as returners during the preseason, but it’s unlikely that both Hamler and Isabella will make the roster. Unless Isabella shines in the preseason, his time with the Bills may be short-lived.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
While this prediction might be a bit of a stretch, there is stiff competition among the receivers at camp, and reports suggest that Valdes-Scantling’s position has “faded into the background” during training. Known for his speed and ability to make big plays, Valdes-Scantling has been a deep threat with Green Bay and Kansas City.
However, his skill set is limited. He struggles with route running, doesn’t contribute much on special teams, is ineffective in the slot, and lacks after-the-catch production.
Valdes-Scantling has also had issues with dropped passes, with a career catch percentage never exceeding 52%. Last season was one of his worst as a pro. With younger, more promising players in the mix, Valdes-Scantling could find himself cut from the roster if others outperform him during the preseason.
