Bills 53 man roster projection at WR: Exactly as expected but similar note on Josh Palmer that he’s one to monitor Big battle for WR3, which I think ends up a rotation amongst the remainder of the WRs If Skyler Bell is good he could flat out win that Via @JoeBuscaglia

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PositiveNewsJul 28, 2026Zain Dhanani

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Bills Insider @SalSports believes Josh Palmer is fighting for a roster spot and the top 4 WRs are: DJ Moore Khalil Shakir Keon Coleman Skyler Bell

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NegativeProjectionJul 26, 2026Buffalo Rumblings

Palmer averaged 46 catches, 572 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns per year with the Chargers. The source projects he will fall short of those benchmarks in 2026, stating 'I'd bet the under on all three of those totals.' The source is not counting on Palmer as a big contributor this season, though acknowledges he could bounce back from his 2025 injuries.

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NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026Buffalo Rumblings

Palmer is likely to remain on Buffalo's roster in 2026 due to the prohibitive dead cap hit ($14.24 million if released), but he is expected to fight for snaps at best as the WR3, especially if Keon Coleman and Skyler Bell beat him out for playing time. The source projects Palmer will be used in a far more niche role this season given the Bills' acquisition of DJ Moore and the depth of the receiving corps. Palmer's contract has him valued at WR42 in the NFL, but his actual performance suggests he should not be paid like a top-50 wideout.

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NegativeBustJul 26, 2026Buffalo Rumblings

Palmer signed a three-year, $36 million deal with Buffalo in March 2025 and was expected to slot in as the second or third wideout behind Khalil Shakir. Instead, he was a nonfactor for much of the season, finishing with career-lows of 22 receptions for 303 yards on 37 targets. He caught five passes for 61 yards on nine targets in the season opener against Baltimore, then never caught more than two passes in a game for the rest of the season. A knee and ankle injury in Week Six against Atlanta sidelined him for five games total, and he was placed on injured reserve before the playoffs. The source notes that injuries are an oversimplification—Palmer was ineffective even before getting hurt—and his $11.75 million cap hit (fifth-highest on the roster) makes the contract a significant miss by GM Brandon Beane.

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NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Joshua Palmer is listed as part of the Bills' wide receiver room alongside DJ Moore, Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and rookie Skyler Bell, available as a weapon for Josh Allen in the passing game.

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NegativeProjectionJul 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Khalil Shakir projects Palmer will underperform his Chargers career averages (46 catches, 572 yards, 3 TDs per year) in 2026. While Khalil Shakir states 'If he can approach those numbers this season, it will be a win for the Bills,' he explicitly says 'I'm not a gambler, but I'd bet the under on all three of those totals, though.' Khalil Shakir concludes: 'Palmer is not someone I'm counting on as a big contributor this season, though I wouldn't mind being proven wrong.'

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NegativeRoleJul 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Palmer is likely to remain on the Bills' roster in 2026 due to prohibitive dead cap ($14.24M if released), but Khalil Shakir expects him to be 'used in a far more niche role this season, especially if Coleman and Bell can beat him out for snaps.' With 14 wideouts on the current roster and the Bills adding DJ Moore as a 'legitimate stud,' Palmer is probably fighting at best to be WR3. Khalil Shakir would not be surprised if he's relegated to a limited role despite his fifth-highest cap hit on the team.

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NegativeBustJul 26, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Palmer signed with Buffalo in March 2025 as a high-priced addition ($11.75M cap hit, fifth-highest on roster) but delivered career-lows in 2025: 22 receptions, 303 yards, 37 targets. He was a nonfactor for much of the season even before suffering knee and ankle injuries in Week 6 against Atlanta, missing five games total and finishing on injured reserve. Khalil Shakir characterizes his contract as 'an abysmal contract' given his play does not justify WR42 valuation; he was expected to be the second or third wideout but failed to exceed two catches in a game after his season-opening performance (5 catches, 61 yards vs. Baltimore).

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NegativeUsageJul 22, 2026Buffalo Rumblings

Fourth in first-read targets in 2025 with 27 targets (2.25 per game, 11.7% of team's total). Part of the Bills' spread offensive approach in 2025 where six players received 10% or greater first-read target share.

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NegativeRoleJul 22, 2026Buffalo Rumblings

Finished last among three primary WR3 contenders with 25% of fan votes, a surprisingly low result given Palmer brings the most experience in the trio. Palmer was oft-injured in 2025, but source frames 2026 as a reset season for him with extra motivation to prove he can handle a featured role in the Bills' offense.

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NegativeDepth ChartJul 22, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Joshua Palmer is listed among the 14 wide receivers currently on the Buffalo Bills roster competing for approximately six final roster spots.

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PositiveNewsJul 22, 2026Zain Dhanani

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Skyler Bell is in a position battle with Josh Palmer and Keon Coleman for Bills WR3 - still live to contribute this season

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NegativeUsageJul 21, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Recorded 27 first-read targets in 2025 (2.25 per game, 11.7% of team's total); expected to see his target share decline in 2026 as the Bills' offense concentrates on DJ Moore and Dalton Kincaid as primary targets.

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PositiveInjuryJul 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Palmer was oft-injured in 2025, making 2026 a reset season where he'll need to prove he's capable of handling a featured role in the Bills offense.

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NegativeRoleJul 19, 2026Yahoo Sports NFL

Joshua Palmer finished last in the WR3 competition with only 25% of votes, despite bringing the most experience among the trio.

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PositiveDepth ChartJun 21, 2026Ian Hartitz

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Bills wide receiver moves since 2024: Traded for: -DJ Moore -Amari Cooper Drafted: -Keon Coleman -Kaden Prather -Skyler Bell Signed in free agency: -Josh Palmer -Curtis Samuel -Brandin Cooks -Gabe Davis -Elijah Moore -Mack Hollins -Mecole Hardman -Tyrell Shavers -Laviska Shenault -Quintez Cephus -Chase Claypool -Marquez Valdes-Scantling -KJ Hamler -Jalen Virgil -Deven Thompkins

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PositiveRoleJun 7, 2026PlayerProfiler Fantasy Football Podcast Network

Joshua Palmer is the incumbent receiver the Bills are upgrading from with the DJ Moore trade.

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