Two-time Super Bowl champion on track to miss out on Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster

Last year, the Buffalo Bills carried six wide receivers on their active 53-man roster. As preseason games approach, it's clear that the top three at the position are essentially carved in stone on the depth chart – rookie Keon Coleman is locked in on the outside, and veteran Curtis Samuel and third-year Khalil Shakir will be factors in the gameplan as well.

Behind those three, there are a handful of guys fighting for a few roster spots, assuming Buffalo is going to carry six receivers again. In that grouping is offseason newcomer Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who isn't doing himself many favors throughout training camp.

Veteran wide receiver standing out for all the wrong reasons during training camp

Valdes-Scantling, who will be 30 years old in October, signed with Buffalo this offseason on a veteran contract worth $2.25 million. He figured to bring a veteran presence to a wide receiver group full of young playmakers after the departure of Stefon Diggs, and would provide a big body capable of stretching the defense on the perimeter. It was a low-risk signing.

For Valdes-Scantling, though, training camp hasn't been all that encouraging.

With no defenders, Valdes-Scantling continues to drop the ball.

Not great.

As camp has gone on, Valdes-Scantling has seen fewer and fewer reps with the starting offense.

According to Joe Buscaglia of The Athleti c, Valdes-Scantling has "faded into the background in the last few practices." He goes on to say that he "has yet to make a strong impression in the passing game during team drills, and his opportunities with quarterback Josh Allen and the top unit have dwindled."

Thanks to Warren Sharp for the following stats, but there have been 43 wide receivers with 900+ routes run in the last two season. Valdes-Scantling ranks:

• #42 of 43 in WR error rate/route.
• #42 of 43 in catch rate.
• #40 of 43 in accurate target catch rate.
• #40 of 43 in success rate.
• #39 of 43 in EPA/target.

Those last two seasons were spent with the Chiefs, with some guy named Patrick Mahomes throwing him the rock.

Last season was a career low for Valdes-Scantling, hauling in only 21 receptions for 315 yards and one touchdown.

Valdes-Scantling is being challenged for a roster spot

There is still plenty of time for Valdes-Scantling to turn things around. With preseason games about to get underway, the audition process against live defenses will be a big part of rounding out the depth on this roster.

For my money, though, 2023 UDFA Tyrell Shavers, and veterans Mack Hollins and KJ Hamler seem to currently have the upper hand at making this team. Hollins and Shavers offer the same size and Valdes-Scantling, are younger, cheaper, and have had better camps. Hamler offers a depth slot receiver type to the roster that could fill in for Samuel and/or Shakir if either were to miss time with an injury.

Valdes-Scantling needs to make up some ground in a hurry if he wants to be a part of the plans for the 2024 Buffalo Bills.

Related: Keon Coleman making a splash with as good a training camp as Bills fans could have hoped for

Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .