Each year the NFL draft has most of its focus on the actual class of players selected by every team in the league.
However, it ripples through every roster. The Buffalo Bills are no different following their haul of nine selections made.
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With that, here are winners and losers on the Bills’ roster following the 2025 NFL draft:
Winner: Cole Bishop
Jan 19, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop (24) warms up before a 2025 AFC divisional round game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
While the Bills did address their secondary at the draft, the safety position was not part of that. On paper, it looks like second-round pick from 2024 in Cole Bishop is going to get every chance to see more playing time next season.
Loser: DT DeWayne Carter
Aug 10, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DeWayne Carter (90) tackles Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
After missing time with a wrist injury last season, Carter does have some pressure for playing time. Entering his second year in the NFL, Carter has rookies TJ Sanders and Deone Walker to fight off for playing time.
On the bright side, such a position battle should bring out the best in everyone.
Loser: CB Tre’Davious White
Baltimore Ravens and former BIlls Tre’Davious White, stops to hug former teammates and pulls out a phone to take a selfie with them before the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Jan. 19, 2025.
Tre’Davious White was never a lock for Buffalo’s roster despite his status as a fan favorite. That completely has to do with his injury history prior to coming back to Buffalo.
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After re-signing Dane Jackson during free agency, the Bills’ top pick was cornerback Maxwell Hairston at the draft. White is essentially going to battle for a reserve role unless something goes very wrong for Hairston.
Winner: James Cook
Bills running back James Cook has rushed for seven touchdowns in his last six games.
Running back James Cook and the Bills are having a bit of a contract dispute. Despite that, the expectation always was that he would play in 2025… and the team is counting on the Pro Bowler to do so. No rushers were drafted.
Winner: K Tyler Bass
Tyler Bass boots a 61-yard field goal with five seconds left to give the Bills a 30-27 win over the Dolphins.
Tyler Bass had his most rocky season in 2024. His contract would make it tough to move on from him, but competition could have still been brought in during training camp. Bass remains as the only kicker on the roster.
Winner: WR Keon Coleman
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) looks at a an official and points at a spot before lining up on the line of scrimmage during second half action at Highmark Stadium where the Buffalo Bills hosted the New England Patriots in Orchard Park on Dec. 22, 2024.
While competition was added for Coleman via free agency, the draft did not have much. A Round 7 pick was used on Maryland’s Kaden Prather. The Bills invested much more in Coleman and he’ll get every chance to prove his worth.
Loser: AJ Epenesa
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills defensive end AJ Epenesa (57) against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Epenesa is not fully on the hot seat, but he needs a good start in 2025. He’s entering a contract year and the Bills used a third-round pick on pass rusher Landon Jackson… and eventually free-agent addition Michael Hoecht will return from suspension and it will be a packed depth chart on the edge.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Buffalo Bills winners, losers following the 2025 NFL draft