Bills Predicted to Part Ways With 2023 Draft Pick Amid Injury Struggles
Despite a promising preseason in 2023, rookie wide receiver Justin Shorter’s season with the Buffalo Bills was cut short before it even started due to a hamstring injury.
Shorter may encounter difficulty securing a spot on the final roster this season.
Shorter may not make the cut for the Bills’ final 53-man roster, according to Buffalo News journalist Jay Skurski. This comes as a result of experienced players joining the team to compensate for Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis’s departures this offseason; leaving Shorter without one of six receiver spots. Although he showcased promising talent last year, an injury sidelined him during preseason games leading up to his season-ending injured reserve placement.
Bills Could Look Elsewhere for Depth at Receiver
According to Skurski, the hierarchy of wide receivers is established with Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir leading as rookies, alongside experienced player Curtis Samuel. Though Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the Kansas City Chiefs isn’t a guaranteed pick, he’s likely to secure his place in the final roster.
According to Skurski, veteran Chase Claypool has shown exceptional performance in initial practices. This could potentially create competition for Shorter as he’ll need to surpass the quick practice squad receiver Andy Isabella or K.J. Hamler if he wants a spot on the roster.
He pointed out that Shorter, who was drafted in the fifth round of 2023, did not play at all last season due to an injury. If the Bills are looking for additional slot receiver options, Isabella or Hamler may be more favorable choices.
According to Skurski’s prediction, Mack Hollins, a seasoned player with solid experience in special teams performance and new addition to the team this offseason, would secure his position over Shorter.
The Bills were impressed by Justin Shorter’s performance last season.
Shorter was a top-rated high school wide receiver prospect in 2018, earning the No.1 ranking, but his performance at Florida didn’t live up to those expectations. During three seasons with the team, he recorded only 95 receptions for 1,395 yards and eight touchdowns. However, Shorter caught the attention of Buffalo Bills during pre-draft interviews last year and became their fifth-round pick as an impressive potential player on their roster.
According to the Buffalo News, Brandon Beane, the general manager of Bills expressed confidence in Shorter’s potential for growth under the team’s coaching staff and identified his special teams contributions as a factor that could secure him an immediate spot on the roster.
According to Beane, it’s common for players to earn a jersey on game day by mastering the offense or defense. Eventually, they’ll have an opportunity to play and Josh Allen will rely on them. The player in question has a lot of responsibility but is believed in by the team since he looks great physically and has potential that needs nurturing.
Shorter exhibited self-assurance and informed journalists at the end of the previous season that he is prepared to make a resounding comeback.
According to The Citizen, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity but eagerly anticipates returning next year to work hard. Being present in the building and observing others has been integral in his growth as a person. He is anxious to put all of his learning into action and demonstrate how much effort he has invested by putting forth maximum effort when that time comes.
