The Buffalo Bills aren’t wasting any time getting their rookies and second-year players work with the first team. In the first week of OTAs, several of them were only seen working with the second-team offense but in Week 2, many first- and second-year players were with the ones. It should be noted that the media is currently only allowed to see one practice per week.
Tight end Dawson Knox was the headliner, filling in for an injured Tyler Kroft and Jason Croom. Even though he was in by default, he flashed on Tuesday, showing off great hands and even being on the receiving end of a one-on-one conversation with Josh Allen, where the second-year signal caller was helping to shape the route to his liking. The third-round pick may be forced into the lineup early and often, so having a good first day with the starters is encouraging.
Not so encouraging was the play of 2019 second-rounder Cody Ford, who was inserted at right tackle with the starting offensive line. He had trouble with Trent Murphy throughout the day, but it’s tough to be physical when contact is prohibited and you’re not wearing any pads besides a helmet.
Devin Singletary mixed in with the starters as well, but Frank Gore has been sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
Also receiving snaps with the first team was Wyatt Teller, who lined up next to Ford at right guard. The Bills are trying Teller there even though he exclusively played left guard a year ago. The second-year player could land a starting job, get cut, or end up somewhere in between.
Another second-year player working with the starters was Levi Wallace, who is still running with the first team despite strong play from veteran free agent Kevin Johnson. It’ll be a tough path for Wallace to hold down his spot.
First-round pick Ed Oliver spent time with the twos last week but replaced Jordan Phillips as the 3-tech defensive tackle with the starting lineup this week. He has to earn his spot, but it should just be academic at this point. The defensive line rotates a lot anyway.
Josh Allen, Tremaine Edmunds, and Robert Foster all received first-team reps, but you knew that before reading the article. No reports on Siran Neal, Harrison Phillips, or other players receiving a look with the starters.