After the much-publicized practice under the lights of Highmark Stadium, the Bills returned to St. John Fisher University for their final week of training camp away from Orchard Park. And while their Sunday session was on the lighter side with the team not in full pads, on Monday, the Bills put together their heaviest day of 11-on-11 work in full pads to date.
In most practices, the team would have specific situations for the offense and defense to work on during team drills. However, Monday’s session provided actual drives with tracked down and distances. It was the closest thing to a scrimmage the Bills have had this summer.
How did it all look for Josh Allen and the starting offense, and what else stood out from Monday’s session? Here are several observations from the team’s third-to-last practice in Pittsford.
Drive 1
Christian Benford, left, and Kaiir Elam have different strengths at cornerback, with Rasul Douglas, right. (Mark Konezny / USA TODAY Sports)
Elam is the flashier player of the two who has the speed and length they covet and also brings the highest ceiling plays of the two. He has shown that in camp this summer, with some pass breakups and turnovers, and added a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage Monday.
Meanwhile, Benford has the quieter game that offers less volatility than some of Elam’s bad reps, which have still shown up this summer. Benford is usually where he needs to be. He has great reaction time in coverage and is sticky with receivers, and he does all of the little things like providing good leverage in edge contain during plays out wide to force ball carriers back inside to the rest of the defense.
While Elam made a play against Allen today, Benford was a standout for what he did during 11 on 11. It makes you wonder what the future at cornerback will be if Elam can provide a solid floor to his flashy plays because that’s been the most difficult thing for him to master. Regardless of how it turns out in 2024 and who plays between Elam, Benford and Rasul Douglas, the Bills have to feel hopeful that, at this point, Benford and Elam could be their starting duo in 2025 if what they’ve seen holds.
Solomon is clearly checking the box of a draft pick who’s showing that he belongs in the NFL, and there is some definite potential there for the coaching staff to cultivate. Solomon is an absolute lock for the 53-man roster. Should he continue to show promise off the edge, along with some ability on special teams, he could find himself in a situational pass rusher role quickly into his first year. His initial camp has been quite promising, to the point that he may be able to develop into something more than that down the line, but he’s got a long way to go before that’s even a consideration. Even if all they get is a rotational pass-rusher with some juice off the edge for the next four years, that’s still an excellent return on their last of three fifth-round draft picks this year.
The usage, trust and separation skills are huge for Hamler, who is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster and is squarely on the bubble against fellow receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers, Chase Claypool and Justin Shorter. Valdes-Scantling and Shavers appear to be the favorites at this point if the Bills keep six, with Claypool falling behind every day that he misses practice with a “day-to-day” toe injury. Claypool has missed the last five practices, and even while on the sideline during Monday’s practice, his talkative nature with some of the defenders did not go over well with the other side of the ball. Despite Claypool’s roster status, Hamler would still need to steal a spot from one or both of Valdes-Scantling and Shavers, but days like Monday certainly help his case.
To this point in camp, Isabella has been on the outside looking in on the receiver competition for a roster spot. He has mainly worked as a slot receiver, with Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Shavers and Hamler also showing they can work from the slot when called upon. But where Isabella had his best chance to make the team was as the primary returner on kickoffs and punts. He’s been one of three players getting those reps along with Daequan Hardy and Hamler, so that likely boils down the competition to just those two players if Isabella misses extended time. The tie could go to the player who shows the most functionality to their side of the ball, and it’s been difficult to ignore Hardy’s progress over the last week. Hardy had an interception on Friday and added another on Monday. But most importantly, he has shown that even as a smaller player at 5-foot-9, 178 pounds with short arms, he can play boundary cornerback and at nickel. That versatility, while also on a four-year rookie deal, gives him a major edge over Hamler. As long as Hardy shows proficiency at returns during the preseason, he’s got a great chance to lock up a roster spot.
WR Chase Claypool (toe) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 28.
RB Ty Johnson (hamstring) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 29.
OL Travis Clayton (shoulder) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 29.
S Cole Bishop (shoulder) — Week-to-week, has not practiced since July 30.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (ribs) — Has not practiced since Aug. 4.
LB Nicholas Morrow (core/groin) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since Aug. 4.
WR Justin Shorter (knee) — Day-to-day, did not practice Monday.
WR Andy Isabella (undisclosed) — Suffered an apparent leg injury on Aug. 5 and rode a practice cart the long stretch back to the locker room.
OL La’El Collins (knee) — Returned to practice Monday after missing two straight sessions.
In most practices, the team would have specific situations for the offense and defense to work on during team drills. However, Monday’s session provided actual drives with tracked down and distances. It was the closest thing to a scrimmage the Bills have had this summer.
How did it all look for Josh Allen and the starting offense, and what else stood out from Monday’s session? Here are several observations from the team’s third-to-last practice in Pittsford.
After a muted start, Josh Allen ends 11-on-11 on a high note
After their usual daily build-up of practice to go through positional work, the Bills went straight to team drills. Then after a handful of controlled situations in team drills for all three quarterbacks, that’s when the scrimmage-like portion of practice began. In total, Allen and the top offensive unit had two drives and 15 plays total. Here is how each drive went.Drive 1
- 1st-and-10 – Allen finds James Cook for a quick pass near the line of scrimmage. Nickel corner Taron Johnson sniffed out the play, beat a block and it went for no yards.
- 2nd-and-10 – Allen kept the ball and ran it for seven yards.
- 3rd-and-3 – An intended pass past the first-down marker for rookie Keon Coleman fell incomplete due to a pass breakup by cornerback Christian Benford.
- 4th-and-3 – Allen finds Coleman in open space for a 15-yard gain to continue the drive.
- 1st-and-10 – A quick pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling yielded a six-yard gain.
- 2nd-and-4 – With simulated crowd noise pumping in, the Bills offense was whistled for a delay of game.
- 2nd-and-9 – A quick attempt to Khalil Shakir was batted down at the line of scrimmage by defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
- 3rd-and-9 – A throw past the first down to Mack Hollins line fell incomplete, ending Allen’s drive.
- 1st-and-10 – A pass intended for Coleman fell incomplete with Johnson in tight coverage.
- 2nd-and-10 – A Cook rush attempt went for eight yards, setting up a third-and-short situation.
- 3rd-and-2 – Allen found Shakir on a quick pass toward the sideline, which gained six yards and a first down.
- 1st-and-10 – Another Cook rush attempt was blown up in the backfield by defensive tackle Ed Oliver. A four-yard loss.
- 2nd-and-14 – A quick pressure got close to Allen, but he was alert and pushed the ball out to tight end Dawson Knox for a seven-yard gain.
- 3rd-and-7 – With the defense showing pressure, the Bills called an extra player, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, in to block. Shavers picked up a block beautifully with a squared base, allowing Allen to get the ball out on a loft throw to tight end Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid beat safety Taylor Rapp in coverage for a 29-yard gain. This was the last play of actual drives during the 11-on-11 portion
Christian Benford, left, and Kaiir Elam have different strengths at cornerback, with Rasul Douglas, right. (Mark Konezny / USA TODAY Sports)
Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam are both making a case
As the Bills hope to find some key answers on defense, they’ve watched as one formerly up-in-the-air position turned into a camp strength, putting them in a position to decide between the best of two players. That spot is at boundary cornerback, with third-year players Kaiir Elam and Christian Benford each competing for playing time. Elam has had his best training camp to date after a frustrating first two years, to push the incumbent starter Benford for a potential job. But Elam’s push hasn’t been tied to poor play by Benford. The two players are just different in what they offer, ultimately depending on what the Bills covet most from the position.Elam is the flashier player of the two who has the speed and length they covet and also brings the highest ceiling plays of the two. He has shown that in camp this summer, with some pass breakups and turnovers, and added a pass batted down at the line of scrimmage Monday.
Meanwhile, Benford has the quieter game that offers less volatility than some of Elam’s bad reps, which have still shown up this summer. Benford is usually where he needs to be. He has great reaction time in coverage and is sticky with receivers, and he does all of the little things like providing good leverage in edge contain during plays out wide to force ball carriers back inside to the rest of the defense.
While Elam made a play against Allen today, Benford was a standout for what he did during 11 on 11. It makes you wonder what the future at cornerback will be if Elam can provide a solid floor to his flashy plays because that’s been the most difficult thing for him to master. Regardless of how it turns out in 2024 and who plays between Elam, Benford and Rasul Douglas, the Bills have to feel hopeful that, at this point, Benford and Elam could be their starting duo in 2025 if what they’ve seen holds.
Rookie Javon Solomon continues to show flashes
Even with devoting countless offseason resources to the position, for the first time since 2021, the Bills used a draft choice on a defensive end in 2024. That player was fifth-round pick Javon Solomon out of Troy — a highly productive, yet slightly undersized pass rusher than what they have gone for in the past. The 6-foot, 246-pound Solomon is not close to their usual prototype, but with a nearly 34-inch arm length, he has shown an ability to maximize every pound throughout camp. Solomon has routinely flashed ability as a pass rusher, whether in team drills or during one-on-ones. He packs a punch with a very strong upper body that can catch offensive linemen off guard while also exploding out of his stance really quickly. On Monday, he had a sack in team drills and added a couple of wins with versatile moves during two-on-twos and four-on-fives.Solomon is clearly checking the box of a draft pick who’s showing that he belongs in the NFL, and there is some definite potential there for the coaching staff to cultivate. Solomon is an absolute lock for the 53-man roster. Should he continue to show promise off the edge, along with some ability on special teams, he could find himself in a situational pass rusher role quickly into his first year. His initial camp has been quite promising, to the point that he may be able to develop into something more than that down the line, but he’s got a long way to go before that’s even a consideration. Even if all they get is a rotational pass-rusher with some juice off the edge for the next four years, that’s still an excellent return on their last of three fifth-round draft picks this year.
KJ Hamler gets heavy usage in 11-on-11
Even though the passes didn’t come from Josh Allen, wide receiver KJ Hamler had a busy day of work throughout team drills on Monday. Reserve quarterback Shane Buechele targeted Hamler early and often on Buechele’s first drive. Hamler was Buechele’s go-to when under duress, and it yielded a couple of enhanced positions on first downs. Hamler brought in his first two passes, both on first down, to set up a 2nd-and-short opportunity. Hamler has worked at one of Z receiver or slot receiver throughout camp this summer and was targeted unsuccessfully another two times during Buechele’s drive. The quarterback attempted only five passes on that series.The usage, trust and separation skills are huge for Hamler, who is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster and is squarely on the bubble against fellow receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyrell Shavers, Chase Claypool and Justin Shorter. Valdes-Scantling and Shavers appear to be the favorites at this point if the Bills keep six, with Claypool falling behind every day that he misses practice with a “day-to-day” toe injury. Claypool has missed the last five practices, and even while on the sideline during Monday’s practice, his talkative nature with some of the defenders did not go over well with the other side of the ball. Despite Claypool’s roster status, Hamler would still need to steal a spot from one or both of Valdes-Scantling and Shavers, but days like Monday certainly help his case.
Andy Isabella injury and how it impacts things
The Bills have been relatively fortunate not to suffer a massive, long-term injury so far this camp, though Monday did bring perhaps the worst one yet. Reserve wide receiver Andy Isabella caught a pass in team drills and took a big hit from defensive tackle DeShawn Williams on the play. While a skirmish ensued around Williams for hitting Isabella, the receiver hobbled off away from the pile of Bills players and went down to the ground immediately in pain. Athletic trainers continued to check on Isabella over the next several minutes before they loaded him onto a cart and brought him back to the locker room area. The cart always sounds bad, but for reference, the locker room is a fairly long walk away for someone who sustained a leg injury, so that was probably a big reason they opted for the cart.To this point in camp, Isabella has been on the outside looking in on the receiver competition for a roster spot. He has mainly worked as a slot receiver, with Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Shavers and Hamler also showing they can work from the slot when called upon. But where Isabella had his best chance to make the team was as the primary returner on kickoffs and punts. He’s been one of three players getting those reps along with Daequan Hardy and Hamler, so that likely boils down the competition to just those two players if Isabella misses extended time. The tie could go to the player who shows the most functionality to their side of the ball, and it’s been difficult to ignore Hardy’s progress over the last week. Hardy had an interception on Friday and added another on Monday. But most importantly, he has shown that even as a smaller player at 5-foot-9, 178 pounds with short arms, he can play boundary cornerback and at nickel. That versatility, while also on a four-year rookie deal, gives him a major edge over Hamler. As long as Hardy shows proficiency at returns during the preseason, he’s got a great chance to lock up a roster spot.
Day 10 injury report
S Mike Edwards (hamstring) — Week-to-week, has not practiced since July 28.WR Chase Claypool (toe) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 28.
RB Ty Johnson (hamstring) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 29.
OL Travis Clayton (shoulder) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since July 29.
S Cole Bishop (shoulder) — Week-to-week, has not practiced since July 30.
LB Edefuan Ulofoshio (ribs) — Has not practiced since Aug. 4.
LB Nicholas Morrow (core/groin) — Day-to-day, has not practiced since Aug. 4.
WR Justin Shorter (knee) — Day-to-day, did not practice Monday.
WR Andy Isabella (undisclosed) — Suffered an apparent leg injury on Aug. 5 and rode a practice cart the long stretch back to the locker room.
OL La’El Collins (knee) — Returned to practice Monday after missing two straight sessions.