1. Bills photographer earns recognition from the Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently announced the winners from its 53rd annual photo contest.
Bills chief photographer Bill Wippert submitted the photo he took of Stefon Diggs – "Diggs Despair"- after the conclusion of the 2020 AFC Championship Game. Wippert's photo came in second place in the feature category.
The contest is open to professional photographers on assignment to cover NFL games. All photos taken during the 2020 NFL season, including Super Bowl LV, were eligible to be judged in this contest. Judging was conducted at the PFHOF in April by a panel of prominent photo editors and photographers.
To see the best feature shots, including Wippert's, from the 2020 season gallery, click here.
Scroll through to see the Bills rookies as they report to One Bills Drive for the first time.
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Greg Rousseau. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Damar Hamlin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Damar Hamlin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Damar Hamlin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Damar Hamlin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Damar Hamlin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Safety Tariq Thompson played in 47 games during his four seasons at San Diego State. During those four seasons, Thompson recorded 12 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 219 total tackles. The safety earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Tariq Thompson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Safety Tariq Thompson played in 47 games during his four seasons at San Diego State. During those four seasons, Thompson recorded 12 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 219 total tackles. The safety earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Tariq Thompson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Safety Tariq Thompson played in 47 games during his four seasons at San Diego State. During those four seasons, Thompson recorded 12 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 219 total tackles. The safety earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Tariq Thompson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Safety Tariq Thompson played in 47 games during his four seasons at San Diego State. During those four seasons, Thompson recorded 12 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 219 total tackles. The safety earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Tariq Thompson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Safety Tariq Thompson played in 47 games during his four seasons at San Diego State. During those four seasons, Thompson recorded 12 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, six forced fumbles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 219 total tackles. The safety earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Tariq Thompson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Boogie Basham. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Boogie Basham. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Boogie Basham. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Boogie Basham. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Offensive tackle Syrus Tuitele joins the Bills after playing collegiately at Fresno State. Tuitele started in 26 games over four seasons and earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Syrus Tuitele. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Offensive tackle Syrus Tuitele joins the Bills after playing collegiately at Fresno State. Tuitele started in 26 games over four seasons and earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Syrus Tuitele. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Offensive tackle Syrus Tuitele joins the Bills after playing collegiately at Fresno State. Tuitele started in 26 games over four seasons and earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Syrus Tuitele. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Offensive tackle Syrus Tuitele joins the Bills after playing collegiately at Fresno State. Tuitele started in 26 games over four seasons and earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Syrus Tuitele. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Offensive tackle Syrus Tuitele joins the Bills after playing collegiately at Fresno State. Tuitele started in 26 games over four seasons and earned Second-Team All-Mountain West honors in 2020.
Syrus Tuitele. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at San Jose State, wide receiver Tre Walker played in 38 games. Walker racked up 178 receptions, 2,674 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He totaled 1,161 receiving yards in 2019 and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. He earned First-Team All-Mountain West in 2019 and Second-Team All-Mountain West in 2020.
Tre Walker. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 13, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Marquez Stevenson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Marquez Stevenson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Marquez Stevenson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In his three seasons at USC, cornerback Olaijah Griffin played in 25 games and totaled 67 tackles, 15 passes defensed and one interception. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2019 and 2020.
Olaijah Griffin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In his three seasons at USC, cornerback Olaijah Griffin played in 25 games and totaled 67 tackles, 15 passes defensed and one interception. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2019 and 2020.
Olaijah Griffin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In his three seasons at USC, cornerback Olaijah Griffin played in 25 games and totaled 67 tackles, 15 passes defensed and one interception. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2019 and 2020.
Olaijah Griffin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In his three seasons at USC, cornerback Olaijah Griffin played in 25 games and totaled 67 tackles, 15 passes defensed and one interception. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2019 and 2020.
Olaijah Griffin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In his three seasons at USC, cornerback Olaijah Griffin played in 25 games and totaled 67 tackles, 15 passes defensed and one interception. Griffin, the son of rapper Warren G, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2019 and 2020.
Olaijah Griffin. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Cornerback Nick McCloud played three seasons at NC State before transferring to Notre Dame for his graduate season. McCloud played in nine games this past season and racked up eight pass breakups, one interception and 22 total tackles.
Nick McCloud. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Rachad Wildgoose. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Bill Wippert
In four seasons at Bowling Green State, tight end Quintin Morris saw action in 40 games and caught 125 passes for 1,529 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Morris earned First-Team All-MAC in 2020.
Quintin Morris. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Tommy Doyle. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Tommy Doyle. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Tommy Doyle. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Tommy Doyle. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Sara Schmidle
Spencer Brown. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Spencer Brown. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Spencer Brown. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Jack Anderson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
Jack Anderson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021.
Photo by Sara Schmidle
Jack Anderson. Buffalo Bills Rookie Photoshoots, Highmark Stadium, May 12, 2021. Photo by Bill Wippert
2. Size causes problems for these three Bills rookies
Before three of the Bills draft picks arrived in Buffalo for this week's rookie minicamp, they were all surprised to see each other before their connecting flight from Chicago to Buffalo. Rookie linemen Tommy Doyle, Spencer Brown and Jack Anderson saw one another at the gate in the airport and with all of them being 6' 5" or taller, they were easily recognizable.
"I actually did not know we were going to be on the same connecting flight," Doyle said. "I had met Jack Anderson one time at an O-line mastermind camp. But, yeah, I was sitting at the gate, I looked over and it's not hard to miss Spencer and Jack there. We all kind of got to talk and we hopped on the flight together, so it was pretty cool."
The trio used the unexpected opportunity to get to know each other a little bit better before the work began at this week's rookie minicamp. Brown noted that it was the smallest plane he'd flown on and that he took up about 80% of the aisle next to a nice old lady who was a Bills fan.
"I didn't know that we were all going to be connecting in Chicago," Brown explained. "So, I was just sitting there eating a late breakfast and I just did a double-take because I saw Jack Anderson first - saw this big, tatted-up dude walking through the crowd and I thought it must be him. Met him and then Tommy came out of the blue so we all kind of sat there and met each other for the first time and had some conversations. Then we got on the smallest plane I've ever been on. It was some musical chairs going on with rearranging us and trying to get us in the best spot possible. Shout out to American Airlines for getting me an exit row. I appreciate it."
3. Bills have one of the hardest early-season schedules for fantasy football matchups
The Bills had a favorable start to the 2020 season in terms of fantasy football matchups but this season it will be more difficult right out of the gates. The Score’s NFL fantasy expert Justin Boone released his list of three teams with an easy opening fantasy schedule and three teams with the hardest opening schedule. He listed the Bills first three weeks of the season as one of the hardest due to the defenses they matchup with early on.
Buffalo Bills
Week One: vs. PIT Steelers
Week Two: @ MIA Dolphins
Week Three: vs. WAS Football Team
After getting a friendly start to the 2020 season followed by a much more difficult second half, the Bills are about to experience the opposite effect this campaign. Pittsburgh and Washington have strong cases to be the league's best defense in 2021, with the Dolphins not far behind. All three clubs ranked among the top six in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA a year ago.
For a team like the Bills that's built their offense around the passing game, this will be a real test to see whether they're ready to take the next step and become true Super Bowl contenders. If they stumble in the early going due to this rough slate, don't hesitate to make trade offers for Buffalo's stars like Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs.
