Bills GM Brandon Beane has restocked Buffalo’s receiver group with talent and depth to compete for opportunities to contribute on the field this coming season.
Following the departures of two of the teams’ top targets, WRs Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, Beane brought in several players who’ve shown potential on other teams and could provide upside on short-term deals.
One of them is KJ Hamler, who had elite deep speed as a prospect and had shown flashes of his potential in his first few seasons as a 2nd round pick with Denver before injuries slowed and disrupted his progression.
He signed a reserves/futures deal with Buffalo in January after spending last season on the Colts practice squad and spoke to Spectrum News 1 following a mandatory minicamp practice about where he’s at and what he hopes to accomplish.
“Aw, man. I’m lightning in a bottle,” Hamler said after practice during mandatory minicamp. “I’m electric in a bottle. Ready to take the top off and once the ball’s in my hands, I’m going to make plays with it.”
While the Bills have a number of players looking to bounce back from injury, they are on longer deals. The short-term opportunities for the receivers looking to regain form provide a low risk and potential reward to Buffalo’s passing game rotation.
Hamler joins receivers like Chase Claypool, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Quintez Cephus, and Mack Hollins who are all looking to crack the rotation as weapons for QB Josh Allen.
His time in Denver he experienced setbacks including a torn ACL ligament in his left knee, and a dislocated hip.
Last summer he experienced pain in his chest and was diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation in the sac area around his heart.
“The pain was so excruciating it woke me up at like 4 in the morning,” Hamler added. “I had to drive myself to the hospital. [I’m] blessed that I got there in time. [I’m] blessed that I was able to treat it, but I had to take a whole different perspective of life.”
He also faced some off-the-field challenges as well during the last several years.
“[There] was times where I really wanted to give up. At one point, I didn’t want to be here. [I] lost my grandmother, lost my cousin. Got injured. So just battling through a whole bunch of adversity.”
The loss of his grandmother, a key figure in his life, was especially difficult for the young receiver.
“I hate talking about her because I always get a little…you know what I’m saying,” Hamler said, holding back tears. “That was my first love though. And I think she was the one that held the family together, so it’s kind of been a little rough without her.”
The good news is that Hamler’s worked through the adversity and challenges and feels ready for the opportunity that’s in front of him.
“It’s like weight lifted off my shoulders. It’s still work to be made, it’s still progress to be made but I’m always excited for it,” he continued. “That’s the thing. I’m not scared anymore. I don’t fear anything. I can go out there and play free, with a free mind.”