The Buffalo Bills are going to be leaning on some younger players in their drive for a Super Bowl in 2025 following some recent roster turnover over the past few years.
Such a comment makes one think of first-year pros. Round 1 cornerback Maxwell Hairston will be leaned on, but second-and-third year players will factor in, too.
Which of those players need to step up for the team in 2025?
Here is Bills Wire’s list:
WR Keon Coleman
The Bills’ top pick at the 2024 NFL draft in Coleman had 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games as a rookie.
The touchdowns are promising but more is needed. Coleman was hampered by a hand injury after a solid start to his NFL career, but after Buffalo decided not to add a big-name receiver this offseason, there is pressure on Coleman to improve.
S Cole Bishop
Bishop was Buffalo’s next selection at the 2024 draft behind Coleman but only made four starts despite a less-than-inspiring safety depth chart. Damar Hamlin and Taylor Rapp earned more playing time than him during his rookie season.
Bishop needs to take the late-season experience he found as a rookie and turn it into extended playing time in 2025. After a long spell of Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, Bishop could be the first cornerstone safety piece for the Bills since that duo if he breaks out.
TE Dalton Kincaid
Similar to Coleman, Kincaid has a chance to earn plenty of targets from quarterback Josh Allen next season.
Buffalo’s top pick at the 2023 draft, Kincaid has had moments… but some would expect more considering his draft status. Kincaid had only 44 catches, 44 yards and two touchdowns last season in 13 games played.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: These second-and-third year Bills players must improve in 2025