For the most part, I think it's fair to say that the Buffalo Bills leave the preseason still with plenty of questions. There were some answers provided in the form of individual performances, and it's important to take everything about the preseason process with a giant grain of salt – starters seldom played, the playbook was intentionally not revealed, etc. 

Preseason games aren't about evaluating the team as a whole, it's about evaluating individuals. One silver lining to the lack of reps played by starters is that the coaching staff and fans alike got plenty of looks at the players that are vying for a roster spot.

With the 2024 preseason behind us, here are three questions that still remain.

---

What's the plan in the return game?

Special teams may not sell tickets, but it's crucial, and it will go a long way in determining how the roster ends up being constructed after the Tuesday deadline to cut down to 53. 

Options include K.J. Hamler, an electric and smaller wide receiver, and Daequan Hardy, who also fits the mold of small and electric at the cornerback position. With the new kickoff rules, maybe they feel like it's worth giving looks to running backs. Ty Johnson and Darrynton Evans, who are both fighting for roster spots, potentially offer upside there.

The new kickoff rules muddy the water plenty on this topic, with very little clarity being had after the preseason games concluded. 

---

Are the receivers up to the task?

There is only one wide receiver on the roster at this point that has ever caught a pass from Josh Allen, and that's Khalil Shakir. I'm expecting huge things from him this season, but outside of Shakir, what kind of production can be expected from this receiver group?

There's reasons to be excited. Veteran Curtis Samuel, who offers plenty of versatility on the ground and through the air, has previous experience with OC Joe Brady from their time together in Carolina. Rookie Keon Coleman has tons of upside as an outside threat, but he's obviously all projection at this point. behind them, the room is murky with big-body stretch types, like Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Tyrell Shavers.

We've only seen them on the field for three pass attempts this preseason with Allen. How they're going to look on the field together when it counts is a major "wait and see."

---

Generally speaking, the question is health

The biggest injury is to superstar linebacker Matt Milano, who is out until roughly early December with a torn biceps injury. After Milano, though, there are a ton of nagging injuries, with the Week 1 health at multiple positions remaining very much in question.

Who's going to be ready to go at safety? At this point, I don't even know who the preferred starting safeties would be if everyone is healthy, since the entire group hasn't been healthy at the same time since the beginning of camp. Damar Hamlin, Mike Edwards, and Cole Bishop are all attempting to work their way back for Week 1. We'll see who's out there next to Taylor Rapp in the defensive backfield.

The nagging nature of the injuries is unfortunate, and is a concerning development heading into the regular season. It's hard to get healthy when the games start, but ideally this Bills team can get right between now and their first game of the year. 

Buffalo Bills go unconventional route to play to strengths in final 53-man roster prediction

This would be a new look for Buffalo.

Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.