The Bills have finished up their 11 practices at St. John Fisher University in Rochester and are heading back to Buffalo to get ready for the preseason. With our time in Rochester coming to an end, we wanted to give out our yearly training camp awards to the players who turned heads in front of coaches, fans and media.
Offensive MVP: QB Josh Allen
In year seven, Josh Allen is still making mind-blowing plays. Don't you think we would be used to this by now? I don't think one can ever get used to the Josh Allen Experience.
What's even a bigger testament to Allen and where he's at in his career is the fact that he's making ridiculous plays with almost an entirely new cast of wide receivers. It's hard to create chemistry overnight but Allen has worked tirelessly this offseason at doing so with his new teammates. The QB orchestrated a trip to Nashville before training camp with several offensive players to work on their connections both on the field and off. We saw how that trip paid off in Rochester by watching Allen light it up with new players like Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and more.
Allen has also taken his leadership to the next level in his seventh season. With so many new faces, Allen is taking the time to speak up and make sure everyone is on the same page. That is why Allen is our offensive MVP of training camp yet again.
"I've noticed a ratcheted-up form of Josh from a leadership standpoint," head coach Sean McDermott said of his QB. "Just him being intentional about working extra with his core receivers, backs, tight ends. And, if something's not right, (he's) being proactive and saying, 'Hey, let's run that again,' or 'I need to see that again.'"
Defensive MVP: CB Kaiir Elam
Cornerbacks Kaiir Elam, Rasul Douglas and Christian Benford have done a great job at creating an atmosphere of competition in the cornerback room. The three have all had their fair share of stand-out plays and have all had a day, or multiple, where they've shined at practice.
Elam has had such a strong camp this season thanks to his consistency. The CB has broken-up countless passes and has registered several interceptions from the start of training camp until now. It doesn't matter if it's a one-on-one period, seven-on-seven, or a team period, Elam has made plays in all of them.
The CB spent seven games on the Injured Reserve last season due to a foot injury and has made a strong comeback this offseason. Head coach Sean McDermott said the CB has worked tirelessly to improve, and you can see that in his consistency on the field.
"I'm happy that '5' is doing what he does now, and he can show us why he's a first-round pick – which he always has," left tackle Dion Dawkins said. "When he gets in a game, Kaiir does what he does, and he's in practice and he's showing it. I'm just happy that Kaiir is feeling more like his self."
Rookie MVP: WR Keon Coleman
Keon Coleman has been fun to watch during camp. With rookies, it may take a little longer to get a handle on the system, but Coleman makes learning an offense look easy. The rookie said he feels like he's at a point where he feels confident about what he's doing on the field.
The confidence is showing during practices as Coleman's been a part of several highlight reel worthy plays. These incredible grabs haven't only come on plays where the rookie is wide open. Several of his best catches from camp have come on plays where Coleman was tightly covered and had to go up to make a play on the ball or contort his body to make the catch. It's easy to tell this receiver has strong hands and a lot of talent.
"His football I.Q., in my opinion, is off the charts," quarterback Josh Allen said of his rookie. "He understands defenses, he understands leverage when he's running routes. Again, I think too just the catch radius that he has, you can just throw one up, and he's going to find a way to either go get it or break it up."
Most consistent on offense: WR Khalil Shakir
Khalil Shakir ended last season as a target that Josh Allen trusted. The duo has continued to build on that established history of trust at St. John Fisher University in 2024. Anytime Allen looked Shakir's way, the WR made sure his QB could continue to trust him by making play after play.
If there's one word to define the camp Shakir had, it would be consistent. The WR was dependable from practice No. 1 to practice No. 11. He's so fluid in how he runs his routes and how he gets open. Shakir may not be the tallest or biggest of the position group, but his hands do the talking for him. Almost everything thrown his way this camp has been caught.
"He speaks so loudly to the quarterbacks with the way that he runs his routes, and just continues to make plays," offensive coordinator Joe Brady said. "Josh has the utmost confidence in him, so I don't need him to do anything else besides be Khalil Shakir and just continue to stack the days like he does on a consistent basis."
Most consistent on defense: CB Taron Johnson
The secondary looks quite different this season without safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. Johnson is the last one standing out of the secondary group who came to Buffalo during the beginning of head coach Sean McDermott's time with the Bills. Because of that, Johnson is now taking on more of a leadership role with several new defensive players walking into starting spots. In his seventh season, the nickel cornerback wants to be more vocal for his team.
Johnson has been one of the anchors on defense throughout camp. The nickel cornerback has broken up several passes and picked up an interception during training camp. Even though defensive coordinator Bobby Babich will bring about new concepts in his first year as DC, Johnson has been playing in Buffalo's defense since 2018 and understands the ins and outs of it. He has been about as consistent as they come this offseason. His teammates, especially the two new starters at safety, will look to Johnson a lot this season.
"I'm trying to make a conscious effort with that, just being more vocal from the top guys to the lower guys," Johnson said. "Whether it's guys who have played eight years or guys who are rookies, I'm doing my best to communicate anything that can help the team."
Most exciting newcomer on offense: WR Curtis Samuel
While Curtis Samuel is new to Buffalo, he and Josh Allen have connected on some plays throughout camp that make it seem like he's been here for longer than just an offseason. It's not just his athleticism that makes him an exciting player to watch, Samuel's versatility is just as impressive. The WR has been used all over the field and has made plays in each spot.
We know he and offensive coordinator Joe Brady overlapped for a season in Carolina (2020) and Samuel saw career numbers that year. Now being back together, we are all eager to see how Brady uses him with the Bills. If training camp was any preview, Samuel will add an exciting element to the offense.
"Curtis is awesome," wide receiver Khalil Shakir said of his teammate. "He's somebody, you put him anywhere and get the ball in his hands and special things are gonna happen…When he steps on the field, he's always doing the right thing."
Most exciting newcomer on defense: DE Dawuane Smoot
The Bills added some veterans to their defensive line this offseason. One of those guys is Dawuane Smoot. The eight-year vet has made his presence known on the line throughout camp. Smoot has shown he can be a productive and versatile player in Buffalo's system. The edge rusher has flashed during several practices showcasing his ability to pressure the QB. It'll be fun to see how defensive coordinator Bobby Babich uses Smoot during the season.
"I'm surprised we were able to get him," defensive tackle Ed Oliver said. "He's a player of that caliber who can go out there and make plays. I'm talking about from day one, from the first time I've seen him practice, he's just a playmaker."
Training camp surprise: TE Zach Davidson
If you've been following training camp practice coverage, you know tight end Zach Davidson has had a great camp. The fact that Davidson is having a productive camp after coming off an ACL injury just a season ago has made it even more enjoyable to watch him succeed.
The fourth-year player has been all over the field this camp making plays. Davidson has caught the short passes and the big ones, making the most of his opportunity.
"Football is so important to him," offensive coordinator Joe Brady said of Davidson. "He loves it, and he flies around out there, you're able to see it. And when he has opportunities, he has a unique skillset. It's a lot of fun watching him continue to develop."
Most improved: WR Tyrell Shavers
Another offensive weapon who's had a great camp is wide receiver Tyrell Shavers. Shavers spent his rookie season on the practice squad but even last year he had some impressive catches during camp. For the second-year player, this training camp was all about showing off his consistency.
Shavers was given opportunities throughout camp to lineup alongside the veterans and made the most of it. On multiple occasions, the WR showcased his 6'4 frame by going up to get the ball or extending his arms to make a play. It's easy to tell Shavers has grown a lot heading into his sophomore season.
"He's making plays on the football field, which you love to see from your guys," quarterback Josh Allen said. "A guy that's been in this system, understands it…he's made the most of his opportunities so far during camp. He's one of those guys that you find yourself rooting for just because of how he approaches the game."
Best comeback: LB Matt Milano & Edge Von Miller
We missed the commanding presence of a couple defensive guys last season. Edge rusher Von Miller spent last season getting used to things after coming back from a knee injury that happened during the end of the 2022 season. Last season, linebacker Matt Milano missed the final 12 weeks of the regular season injured with a leg injury.
Thankfully, Miller is feeling more like himself as he prepares for his 14th season in the NFL. The edge rusher has registered several sacks throughout practices and is looking quick off the edge.
"I don't know if ya'll see what's going on, but they better watch out," left tackle Dion Dawkins said. "(Von Miller) 40 is back. 40 has his aura back."
Milano being available to practice during training camp was a big win for himself, the staff and his teammates. The LB hasn't just been present for practices, he's making plays as well. Defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said it's only a matter of time before Milano starts looking more like himself.
"He attacked everything with his rehab," general manager Brandon Beane said. "And this was probably as good as we could have hoped that he would be starting camp… Matt's got a toughness, an edge, a presence that our defense needs. And so, it's good to have him back."
