Tyrell Shavers' one-handed TD catch and preseason breakout put him squarely in Buffalo’s 53-man roster conversation, even as the Bills weigh a crowded WR group. He led the preseason in receiving yards (123) and a 58-yard grab, plus kickoff coverage snaps that could swing a final cut. Buffalo is expected to keep five or six receivers, with Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer likely locks, leaving 2–3 spots contested with Samuel, Moore and Shenault.

Shavers’ Week 17 TD on a Mitchell Trubisky screen showed big-play upside, while his special-teams impact signals versatility for a depth role. If he makes the roster, his production hinges on injuries to others and how Buffalo deploys a reserve corps around Shakir, Shenault and Palmer. Fantasy managers should watch the WR battle closely into the final cuts.

Bottom line: Shavers has the athleticism and NFL track record to flash as a sleeper, but the odds tilt with the other vets and Palmer’s presence. His upside is real if he lands in a flexible role, but Buffalo could still favour veterans and established targets in a tight cut process.

Buffalo’s final preseason test vs. Tampa Bay doubles as a roster showcase. Mitch Trubisky will look to solidify the QB2 role behind Josh Allen with crisp, low-risk drives and timely throws. Curtis Samuel returns from injury and squads with Tyrell Shavers for WR depth, while Maxwell Hairston and Dane Jackson vie for extra CB spots as Tre'Davious White recovers. Joe Andreessen adds LB depth and Buffalo’s 53-man math tightens around WR/CB competition and special-teams upside.

Buffalo at Chicago in primetime Week 2 of the preseason hinges on depth-chart theater more than box-score glamour. Mitch Trubisky is slated as QB2 with the job to lose, and the night offers a clear chance to prove pocket poise and smart decision-making against his former club. Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore stand out as potential breakout plays if healthy, with Moore especially positioned to seize a prominent role amid a thinner Bills WR corps. On defense, Buffalo looks to rookies Deone Walker and TJ Sanders to stack meaningful snaps, while Ed Oliver, DaQuan Jones and Larry Ogunjobi push the interior, and Tre’Von Edmunds squanders no opportunity against his old teammates. The safety group—Damar Hamlin, Taylor Rapp, and Cole Bishop—needs reps to validate Babich’s plans, with Samuel’s status adding another layer of intrigue.

Buffalo comes to Soldier Field for a Sunday night preseason date with Chicago in unsettled weather terms. Kickoff around 76 and humid, with storms possible and a dew point near 72 that could sap passing efficiency. The Bills entered with a reshuffled receiving corps and a QB competition behind Josh Allen, as Mitch Trubisky returns to the Chicago stage where he was once drafted. Fantasy angles tilt toward the Bills’ depth players and their backup QB reps: James Cook likely anchors the backfield, while Elijah Moore, Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers and the veteran Curtis Samuel could carry the lightweight targets if top receivers sit out again. The Bears present a test of Bills depth and live-bullet play, with tempests potentially tempering big play options. Historical context notes Buffalo’s 35-13 win in 2022 behind a strong rush attack and a shallow passing line in that late-season clash. Odds react with Bills favored by 1.5 and a 39.5 over-under, but weather could nudge passing production down roughly 12% in rain, per some sportsbooks. The matchup on Aug. 17 remains a test of depth chart decisions that fantasy managers should monitor closely as rosters trim.