Patrick Moran is joined by Matt Warren of Buffalo Rumblings to revisit the Buffalo Bills opinions that have already started to change after the opening week of training camp at St. John Fisher University. They discuss a surprisingly quiet cornerback competition, rookies who are either exceeding expectations or showing they need more time, several roster-bubble veterans, and the growing mystery surrounding Tyler Bass not kicking during public practices.

The conversation also covers Buffalo’s newly released uniform schedule, DJ Moore’s immediate chemistry with Josh Allen, Michael Hoecht’s impressive recovery from a torn Achilles, and what Patrick and Matt still want to see before camp concludes.

Key Takeaways

  • The expected CB2 battle has not materialized. Maxwell Hairston continues to work with the starters, but neither he nor rookie Davison Igbinosun has fully seized the opportunity. Hairston has struggled at times against bigger receivers, while Igbinosun has had difficulty staying with quicker route runners when he cannot win at the line of scrimmage.
  • Kaleb Elarms-Orr has been one of camp’s biggest revelations. The fourth-round rookie linebacker has displayed speed, physicality, intensity and a veteran-like presence. With Dorian Williams working back from an injury, Elarms-Orr is making a legitimate push for a starting role and appears likely to earn meaningful snaps early in the season.
  • Michael Hoecht looks much further along than expected. Despite returning from a torn Achilles, Hoecht has participated fully and consistently worked with the second-team defense. His health could significantly affect the outside-linebacker rotation and make veteran Mike Danna expendable.
  • Several young players have changed the roster conversation. Landon Jackson’s added size and strong work along the defensive front have made him a likely rotational contributor. Javon Solomon looks better suited to Jim Leonhard’s defense, while Keonta Jenkins has consistently worked ahead of Joe Andreessen with the second-team linebackers.
  • DJ Moore has been the best non-Josh Allen player in camp. Moore and Allen have developed immediate chemistry, creating a realistic path for Moore to reach 1,000 or even 1,100 receiving yards. Keon Coleman and Josh Palmer have also performed well, while rookie Skyler Bell’s speed has been offset by inconsistency and problems tracking the football.
  • Tyler Bass remains the strangest story of camp. Bass had not attempted a field goal during the first five public practices, leaving Patrick and Matt puzzled about why Buffalo’s only kicker has been absent from visible kicking work.

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