The Bills earned a B-plus in ESPN sports analytics writer Seth Walder’s offseason report card, which graded all 32 NFL teams, a mark that places Buffalo in the league’s top third. But the biggest knock was wide receiver.

ESPN praised the team for locking up its core, including quarterback Josh Allen and wideout Khalil Shakir, but questioned Buffalo’s biggest free-agent signing and labeled the receiver group a lingering weakness.

The signing of Palmer to a three-year, $29 million deal was Walder’s least favorite move. He called the former Charger “an uninspiring choice,” citing Palmer’s 1.6 yards per route run last season despite playing with Justin Herbert.

Palmer, 25, had 39 receptions for 584 yards and one touchdown in 15 games last season. He’s expected to compete for a starting role alongside Shakir and second-year receiver Keon Coleman.

General manager Brandon Beane pushed back earlier this offseason against criticism for not drafting a receiver until the seventh round. But Walder argued the concern is valid.

“The reality is that wide receiver is a weakness, but the Bills are also basically capped out − they have almost no room in 2025 and are well over the 2026 cap − so it was going to be tough to bring aboard a better veteran,” Walder wrote. “Given the Bills' status as a Super Bowl contender, I don't think it was wrong to critique their decision to not select a wide receiver in the first three rounds of the draft. That means Keon Coleman, the No. 33 pick in 2024, will have to take a big step in Year 2.”

Walder praised Buffalo’s internal investments, including extensions for Allen, Shakir, Greg Rousseau, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard. The Shakir deal, in particular, worth $13.25 million per year, was labeled a bargain, especially compared to deals for Dyami Brown (Jaguars) and Tutu Atwell (Rams), who are each making $10 million per year.

Josh Palmer, shown here with the Los Angeles Chargers, is the Buffalo Bills’ biggest offseason signing but drew criticism in ESPN’s 2025 team report card.

Shakir had more receptions and touchdowns than Brown and Atwell combined in 2024, and could now be one of the most important players in Buffalo’s offense, whether or not Palmer proves ESPN wrong.

The Bills also added veterans along the defensive line, including Joey Bosa and suspended tackles Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi, though each of those additions carries questions about health or availability.

Buffalo Bills wide receivers

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Khalil Shakir #10 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball in the Fourth Quarter during the NFL Match between Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 08, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Peter Nicholls/Getty Images)

Thirteen of the 90 players on the Bills' roster are wide receivers: