Tag: Justin Shorter

Best photos from rookie season of Bills 2023 draft class

Best photos from rookie season of #Bills 2023 draft class:

The Buffalo Bills did not have the biggest of draft classes in 2023 but their haul from it ended up being an impactful one.

At the top, tight end Dalton Kincaid slowly came along during his first year in the pros after being a first-round pick. Then as a surprise selection in Round 2, offensive lineman O’Cyrus Torrence became a Day 1 for Buffalo.

On the flip side, some players from the Bills’ recent draft class were even too good to stick around. The likes of seventh rounder Nick Broeker now lines up on the Houston Texans’ offensive line after Buffalo had to cut Broeker and try to get him on their practice squad.

Following the conclusion of all six draft picks’ first year in the NFL, here are some of the top photos of each from their first season in 2023:

Bills designate rookie WR Justin Shorter to return from injured reserve

#Bills designate rookie WR Justin Shorter to return from injured reserve:

The Buffalo Bills opened the 21-day window for rookie wide receiver Justin Shorter earlier this week. The transaction comes as Buffalo (7-6) is set to host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15.

At some point within that three-week period, the Bills must put Shorter to the active roster or keep him on injured reserve.

A fifth-round rookie, Shorter sustained a hamstring injury in Buffalo’s preseason finale on Aug. 26. He has not appeared in a regular season game with the team yet.

Shorter is a 6-foot-4 target, which makes him an interesting piece.

Shorter being activated is of some interest because of the lack of production the Bills have gotten from Gabe Davis this season. He has multiple games without a catch.

However, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott did not give any indication of a connection there.

“Just seeing how he looks and giving him a chance,” McDermott said via video conference. “Just seeing what all the hard work he’s put in looks like.”

Bills Wire will provide updates on Shorter as information is made available.

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Bills Wire Preseason Week 2 Player of the Game: Justin Shorter

Not a whole lot of candidates this week… but we found one (via

The Buffalo Bills preseason went on the road to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite losing 27-15 in a poor fashion, a few Bills players had a good game.

We are awarding our second season issue of the Player of the Week Award in 2023 to wide receiver Justin Shorter, who had five catches for 47 yards and a touchdown in the final offensive drive for the Bills:

The Florida product was drafted by Buffalo in the 2023 in the 5th round and was named ‘a steal’ by Touchdown Wire. He was the lone bright spot in the Bills offense, connecting with backup quarterback Kyle Allen  in the second half on multiple short catches and the touchdown strike to the end zone.

Shorter, who is listed on the second team in Bills’ depth chart, had his first catch to convert a third down against Steelers’ CB James Pierre by beating him with a cut inside to move the sticks.

His second was also  won after cutting inside against Steelers’ 3rd string CB Chris Wilcox, taking a physical hit in the middle of the field. He beat Pierre on the outside in the only incompletion Kyle Allen had targeted him on.

During his touchdown winning drive, he used the sidelines well to save time on the clock after the two-minute warning, prior to the touchdown strike. His physicality and technical route-running was clearly evident and can evolve his game plan. We hope he will continue to progress and make an impact in the regular season behind Gabe Davis.

Buffalo will be on the road for their final preseason game, heading to Chicago to play against the Bears next Saturday. After McDermott declared it’s an open competition for the backup QB job last week and Allen performing better than Matt Barkley this week, it will be important to see Shorter have chemistry with both QBs if his snap count increases next week.

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Instant analysis, recap of Bills loss to Steelers in preseason Week 2

Instant analysis, recap of #Bills loss to #Steelers in preseason Week 2 (via @jdiloro):

Well, that was ugly.

The Buffalo Bills fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-15, in a sloppy, undisciplined affair on Saturday night.

The first half was a scene of horrors for the Bills. They gave up an opening drive touchdown to the Steelers, as running back Jaylen Warren burst through the Bills defense for 62 yards.

The Bills followed that up with a three-and-out on offense. Buffalo then allowed a 53-yard punt return to set up the Steelers’ second offensive drive. Pittsburgh cashed in on the next play, which saw quarterback Kenny Pickett find tight end Pat Freiermuth down the seam for a 25-yard touchdown reception.

Buffalo had no answer on offense, as the starters looked flat for the remainder of their three drives on the field.

The Bills set themselves back several times during the first half. They were guilty for 12 penalties in the first two quarters alone. That, along with two interceptions during the first half, negated any sort of silver of optimism that could be found.

It didn’t get much better in the second half. Matt Barkley turned the ball over two more times, bringing his total to four for the game.

Buffalo’s depth players kept the Steelers at bay in the second half. However, there wasn’t much to like about this performance.

This is likely the only time that many of the starters will see on the field during the preseason, so hopefully they will have the time to clean up this disappointing showing.

Here’s the remainder of Bills Wire’s preseason Week 2 recap:

Madden 24 ratings for every Buffalo Bills wide receiver

Madden 24 ratings for every Buffalo #Bills wide receiver:

EA Sports is going position-by-position and releasing player ratings for their upcoming NFL video game, Madden 24.

This year’s game will feature Bills quarterback Josh Allen on the cover and we now know how the game rates wide receivers in the league.

Here are the Madden 24 ratings for every Bills wide receiver set to feature in the game:

Who are locks to make the Bills’ 53-man roster on offense?

Who are locks to make the #Bills’ 53-man roster on offense?

The Buffalo Bills are gearing up for the start of 2023 training camp. Players are going to be fighting for both playing time and roster spots.

But if we’re being honest, some of those positions on the team are already sorted out.

Here is every player on the Bills roster that is already a roster lock to make the team on offense:

Bills’ Justin Shorter explains decision to transfer in college

#Bills’ Justin Shorter explains decision to transfer in college and how driven he is by it:

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Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Justin Shorter has had an interesting journey to the NFL. It’s not quite rags to riches, but it’s unique.

Coming out of high school, Shorter was the top-ranked wideout recruit in the nation. He took his talents to Penn State but transfered–That never happens if things are going right and they were not. Injuries and other circumstances slowed him down.

Fast forward to today, the fifth-round rookie of the Bills said moving schools had very much helped him in the end, in a motivational sense.

“I remember after I transfered to Florida, there were always questions about like my hands,” Shorter said via video conference. “All that, it’s just noise, but I remember screenshotting it and putting it as my screensaver… It was definitely a motivating thing and now I feel like I won’t drop a single ball.”

“Mental toughness is a big thing for me,” Shorter added.

Specifically on transfering, Shorter described it as a challenge.

“Going from Penn State to Florida, it was definitely tough at first. Initially, leaving somewhere and going somewhere else, there is that uncertainty,” Shorter told the Buffalo News. “I just had to trust myself and just go out there and really just put that time and effort in. I feel like once I was able to focus and just put that work in, everything started to carry over for me. But it was definitely tough at first.”

All in all, his battle changing schools and teams might’ve actually helped him get picked by the Bills. General manager Brandon said the team pulled the curtain back on who Shorter really was as a person during his pre-draft visit to Buffalo. Clearly the Bills liked what they saw.

“You never know their journeys. These are not robots. Life happens to people for various reasons and sometimes people hit obstacles, but we feel that his best football could and should be ahead of him if he puts in the work,” Beane said. “He acknowledged that there’s more in his game.”

At Florida, Shorter’s best season was in 2021 when he had 41 catches for 550 yards and three touchdowns. His catches dropped to 29 last year, but his yardage jumped to 577 with two touchdowns.

At 6-foot-4, Shorter said he tries to use his size to his advantage as much as possible. Look for a motivated player that’s going to be physical… and one that’s still carrying a chip on his shoulder.

Shorter said he’s planning to keep the receipts.

“I’ll just say, I definitely know every single wideout that had went before me and know all the teams that picked them,” Shorter said. “I definitely know when I get my opportunity I’m going to tear this league up.”

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WATCH: Highlights from Bills 2023 rookie minicamp

WATCH: Highlights from #Bills 2023 rookie minicamp:

The Buffalo Bills were on the field taking on one of their first practices of 2023 over the weekend… well, not everyone.

The team’s 2023 NFL draft class, undrafted rookie signees, and others trying out for the team were.

Here are highlights from the session via local media:

Breaking down the Bills 2023 draft class

Breaking down the #Bills 2023 draft class:

The Buffalo Bills 2023 NFL draft class is officially in session, kicking off their rookie minicamp this week.

What type of role could each player have, and when might they make an impact on the field?

The answers to those questions ultimately remain to be seen, but in the meantime here is a breakdown of each member of the draft class.

Projected rookie contracts for each of the Bills’ 2023 draft picks

Projected rookie contracts for each of the #Bills’ 2023 draft picks:

The Buffalo Bills have six new rookies via the 2023 NFL draft. Eventually they will all sign their contracts, but those are mostly known already.

The NFL has a system in place which essentially locks in rookie contracts through a wage scale. Depending on where a player is drafted, his contract value will vary. The standard rookie deal is four years, so that applies across the board, but their salaries, signing bonuses and total value depend on their draft slot.

Spotrac has those numbers down for all rookies. Here’s how they project for the Bills: