The Buffalo Bills kick off training camp on July 29 at St. John Fisher. This moves the team into the next major phase of the offseason ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
Ahead of then, Bills Wire will examine every position group ahead of this pivotal time on the football calendar.
This edition will focus on the Bills' wide receiver room:
Top of the chart
Buffalo has spent the past few seasons ignoring the deficiencies at the wide receiver position. This offseason, the Bills traded for DJ Moore, who immediately becomes Josh Allen's best perimeter option since the departure of Stefon Diggs. Moore took a step backward last year; his production fell following six seasons of seeing at least 118 targets per season from 2019-2024. A fresh start in Buffalo could see an explosion
in production for Moore.
Khalil Shakir will operate out of the slot once again. Shakir has been Buffalo's most reliable receiver over the past two years. Hopefully, the team can increase his depth of target, giving Shakir more opportunities for dynamic plays.
Joshua Palmer has the inside track at the other perimeter position. Palmer struggled in his first year in Western New York, catching only 22 passes for 303 yards and no touchdowns. Hopefully, another season of familiarity with Joe Brady's system and good health will contribute to a better outcome.
Depth chart
Keon Coleman, Skyler Bell, and Mecole Hardman make up the immediate reserves to start camp. Coleman is operating on what seems to be his last chance to make his mark in Buffalo. Inconsistency, maturity, injuries, and lack of production have hindered his development.
Bell is an intriguing prospect for the Bills. A fourth-round pick in April's Draft, Bell gives Buffalo a strong option down the field. Hardman and Sherfield are veteran depth options who could see their biggest contributions in the special teams area.
Tyrell Shavers is injured, and he will most likely miss a sizable chunk of this season.
Jalen Virgil, Stephen Gosnell, Ja'Mori Macklin, Quintin Skinner, and Max Tomczak round out the receivers for the Bills 90-man roster.
Battle to watch
Skyler Bell's progress will have a major impact on how this final group works out. Bell is a dark horse to sneak into the starting lineup opposite Moore. More realistically, he will be a perimeter depth piece who will stretch the field against defenses.
He has a chance to unseat Keon Coleman as the first receiver off the bench.
Beyond that duo, the final spots in the receiver group will go to players who can stand out on special teams. Most likely, Trent Sherfield and Mecole Hardman will challenge for these final spots.
Who needs a really strong camp?
The obvious answer is Keon Coleman. Coleman has commanded the attention of many analysts, with some questioning where Coleman will fit in with the current roster. Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula didn't provide a strong vote of confidence at a spring press conference. Coleman needs a strong training camp to ensure his spot, at the very least, as the No. 4 player on the receiver depth chart. If not, it's hard to see a role for him in Buffalo.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 2026 Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Wide receivers
