As the preseason unfolds, the Bills have been shaping their receiving corps, and third-year pro Keon Coleman has eliminated questions about his viability for the final cut. With the last roster spot expected to come down to a few contenders, a long-time veteran is facing a pivotal opportunity to prove he still belongs on the roster.
Player to Watch: Dante Pettis
Among the players highlighted for the final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is Dante Pettis, a veteran receiver who has shown flashes of potential during training camp and in the early preseason. Pettis missed the previous week’s game and joint practices due to an injury, and he now has added urgency to rebound offensively and contribute as the team’s punt returner.
Pettis brings eight seasons of NFL experience, debuting with the San Francisco 49ers and appearing in 66 games with 19 starts, accumulating 92 receptions for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns. His veteran savvy and playmaking ability could still be valuable to a Bills team seeking depth at the position and a reliable return option.
However, projections for the final roster have been nuanced. Analysts have speculated that Pettis might not secure a spot, with some suggesting the Bills could opt to designate Mecole Hardman Jr. as their punt returner. The debate centers on special teams value and how the team balances the return responsibilities with WR depth. One factor in play is whether the Bills want a dedicated punt returner or to use a multi-position player who can contribute in multiple roles. The team has also experimented with Ray Davis in return duties, given his primary role as a kickoff returner, to assess flexibility and maximize the roster’s versatility.
Earlier in the preseason, the Bills also moved to trim competition by parting ways with another wide receiver, Mac Dalena, who had been vying for a roster spot but was falling behind on the depth chart. With Dalena out, Pettis faces a narrower field, though several teammates are positioned to contend for the final wide receiver slot, including younger players who showcased their potential in the exhibition games.
Ja’Mori Maclin emerged as a standout in the preseason, delivering a 71-yard touchdown in the latest preseason victory against the Browns. Maclin’s performance indicates that he could also be knocking on the door of a roster spot or practice squad consideration, depending on how the Bills evaluate depth and specialization at wide receiver and return duties.
What to watch in the final preseason game
– Pettis’s health and performance after returning from the injury that sidelined him in the prior game and practices.
– How the Bills allocate punt return responsibilities and whether Pettis, Hardman, or another player earns that role.
– The overall depth at wide receiver, including contributions from Keon Coleman and other depth players under consideration for the final 53-man roster.
– Special teams impact, as the team weighs the value of a dedicated returner versus a versatile roster member who can handle multiple roles.
Implications for the roster
The final roster decision will balance experience, special teams value, and the ability to contribute on offense. Pettis’s veteran presence and game-changing potential could still be a factor if he can prove he remains a reliable target and return option. Conversely, if the Bills prefer to keep an additional young receiver who can contribute on punt or kickoff returns and develop for the longer term, Pettis’s spot could be at risk.
In this period of roster deliberations, every practice rep and game snap matters as the Bills evaluate not only today’s contributors but also how the unit will function when the regular season begins. The final result will hinge on who can best complement the receiving corps and the special teams group, ensuring the Bills have a versatile and dependable group to rely on throughout the 2026 season.
