Josh Allen building rapport with new Bills WR corps

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills have a new cast of characters on the offense this year, and Tuesday was our first look at the revamped wide receiver room on the practice field at organized team activities in Orchard Park.

Quarterback Josh Allen celebrated his 28th birthday throwing to his newest targets as he begins to build a rapport with several fresh faces.

“It’s an opportunity No. 1 — a chance to grow as a leader,” Allen said. “To grow as a teammate and rely on some other guys that maybe haven’t been around but have a lot of experience in the NFL.”

Veteran names like Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins and the newly-signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling were among the group of new receivers Allen will lean on this season. 

One player in that group without any experience at this level is rookie draft pick Keon Coleman, who Allen jokingly noted likes to talk a lot, but has a passion for the game and plenty of skill to match the charisma.

“He can move and he can jump. He’s 6’4” and I thought he can run some routes pretty well,” Allen said. “And again, you’re putting him into a room with Mack and MVS and Khalil and Curtis and some other guys that we got, being able to learn from those guys.”

Coleman has reveled in his first two days working with Allen.

“You see who that is? I’m still a fan myself, so just enjoying it, staying in the moment, being where my feet are and just continue to get better,” Coleman said. 

Coleman and recent addition Chase Claypool both showed some flash plays during team work and 7-on-7 drills on Tuesday. Claypool caught a pass from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky along the deep sideline, jumping up to grab the ball above a defensive back.

Whether they’ve been in the league for years or jumping in as a rookie, there’s an urgency for Allen and offensive coordinator Joe Brady to bring these receivers up to speed in a hurry.

“Every day is a big day,” Allen said. “We don’t have the luxury of relying on previous reps. We don’t have in-game reps. We don’t have in-game experience with a lot of these guys. Every day is a chance to learn and grow and we’re going into it that mindset.”

Valdes-Scantling, who played with two MVP quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes and won two championships with the latter said, “Hopefully, I can just keep bringing over good stuff so hopefully we can get Josh an MVP and a Super Bowl this year.”