2 Hidden Gems on the Bills’ 2024 Roster You Should Know
Despite losing some star players this offseason, the 2024 Buffalo Bills roster still boasts big names like Josh Allen, James Cook, Matt Milano, and Von Miller. To achieve their goals this season, these household names will need support from other talented players, including a couple of hidden gems on the 2024 Bills roster.
WR Justin Shorter
With Stefon Diggs traded to the Houston Texans and Gabe Davis moving to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency, the Bills’ wide receiver lineup has seen significant changes. Second-round pick Keon Coleman, incumbent slot receiver Khalil Shakir, and free-agent signee Curtis Samuel are currently slated as starters.
However, a potential hidden gem is Justin Shorter, a 2023 fifth-round pick. Shorter was the No. 1 WR in the nation coming out of high school in 2018 but struggled at Penn State due to weight issues and a deep roster. Transferring to Florida, he performed better but still played second fiddle to stars like Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts.
Sean McDermott spent about 20 minutes after practice today for some fairly intense D-line instruction.
Seems the lesson was "translating wrestling to football"
Gable Steveson was the primary student, but Javon Solomon among other young guys listening. #Bills pic.twitter.com/rP3X4W3SCr
— Thad Brown (@thadbrown7) June 4, 2024
Despite never fully realizing his potential, the Bills saw promise in Shorter. After suffering a hamstring injury in the 2023 preseason and spending the year on IR, Shorter now has an opportunity to compete for a roster spot and potentially a starting position. If he can tap into the talent that made him a high school star, he could become a significant asset for the Bills.
DL Gable Steveson
Gable Steveson is a real hidden gem, transitioning from a celebrated wrestling career to football. Steveson, arguably the greatest wrestler of all time, dominated both in high school and at the University of Minnesota, where he was a two-time heavyweight winner of the Hodge Trophy and an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
Now, Steveson is trying his hand at football after an unsuccessful stint in WWE. Wrestlers often excel as linemen in the NFL, and Steveson could follow in the footsteps of former wrestlers who became successful football players. At 6-foot-1 and 285 pounds, he has the physical attributes to potentially thrive as a defensive lineman, despite the uncertainties of his speed and mental processing of the game.
With the support of head coach Sean McDermott, a former wrestling champion himself, Steveson has a unique opportunity to leverage his wrestling skills in the NFL and make a significant impact on the Bills’ defense.
What we do know is that Steveson excels at overpowering large opponents, arguably better than anyone else. If the Bills’ coaching staff can translate his wrestling prowess to football — possibly as a pass-rushing defensive tackle or a base 3-4 defensive end — the team could have a real hidden gem on their roster.
