SPORTZONE27

While the NFL Draft is an exciting time for prospects hoping to hear their names called — and for fans watching at home or attending in person — it can also be an uneasy period for current NFL players. After all, the league operates on a “what have you done for me lately” basis. If players aren’t producing, front offices are always looking for someone who will.

For the Buffalo Bills, their 2025 draft class brought a wave of defensive talent, signaling a strong commitment to bolstering that side of the ball. While fans should be thrilled about the future in Buffalo, a few veterans on the roster might now have reason to be concerned about their long-term roles with the team.

3 players who should be concerned about Bills’ 2025 draft class

DT DeWayne Carter

Buffalo’s third-round pick from last year, DeWayne Carter, endured a difficult rookie season in 2024. A wrist injury sidelined him for a significant portion of the year, and additional time missed late in the season further hampered his development. The Bills drafted Carter with the vision of grooming him behind veteran DaQuan Jones as a true 1-technique defensive tackle. However, the team’s 2025 draft strategy may have complicated Carter’s future in Buffalo.

It’s not just that the Bills selected defensive tackles T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker — it’s how aggressively they pursued them. Buffalo traded up 15 spots in the second round to secure Sanders, then jumped 23 spots to add Walker as well.

Both Sanders and Walker project as legitimate 1-technique options, directly overlapping with Carter’s expected role. Their arrivals intensify the competition heading into training camp, putting pressure on Carter not necessarily to keep a roster spot immediately, but to prove he deserves meaningful playing time — something that could heavily influence his longer-term standing with the team.

DE A.J. Epenesa

Over the last three seasons, A.J. Epenesa has been a steady presence for the Bills, recording at least six sacks each year and serving as a valuable rotational edge rusher. However, with Greg Rousseau entrenched as the future at defensive end and the high-profile addition of Joey Bosa in free agency, Epenesa’s role could soon be in flux.

The Bills’ edge group now includes Epenesa, Javon Solomon, and Michael Hoecht as the veteran contributors — and they’ve added rookie Landon Jackson with a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Jackson, a highly athletic pass rusher with tremendous upside, enters a crowded room with a real opportunity to carve out a role.

While Epenesa isn’t necessarily a release candidate — especially with his consistent production — it’s worth noting that he is entering the final year of his contract. Meanwhile, Solomon is only entering the second year of his rookie deal, and Hoecht just signed a three-year contract this offseason. If Jackson impresses in training camp and preseason, don’t be surprised if Epenesa emerges as a potential trade chip before the start of the regular season.

CB Tre’Davious White

The Bills and Tre’Davious White reunited this offseason on a one-year deal after Buffalo released him following the 2024 season. With cornerback depth a pressing need, bringing White back offers some short-term stability to the secondary. However, the Bills clearly had an eye toward the future during the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting three cornerbacks — including Maxwell Hairston in the first round.

Buffalo also added Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong on Day 3, both of whom bring valuable traits to Sean McDermott’s defense. Add in the return of Dane Jackson, who is younger and has been more durable than White, and it’s clear the cornerback room is going through a transition.

White, a fan favorite during his first stint in Buffalo and McDermott’s very first draft pick in 2017, is undoubtedly a beloved figure. But sentimentality only goes so far in today’s NFL. If White is outperformed by the younger corners during camp and preseason, he could once again find himself searching for a new home before the 2025 season kicks off.