According to a report by Tom Pelissero, the Buffalo Bills are adding wide receiver and return specialist Laviska Shenault Jr. to their roster. Shenault’s name may be familiar to many fans, as he was a popular prospect among Bills Mafia leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft.
Buffalo will be the fifth team to have Shenault on its roster as he enters his sixth NFL season. It’s fair to say his career hasn’t unfolded as hoped for the former Colorado receiver. Selected 42nd overall in the second round of the 2020 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Shenault showed early potential during his two seasons in Jacksonville. He started 22 of 30 games, recording 121 receptions on 179 targets for 1,219 yards and five touchdowns—all of which came in his rookie year—while also contributing 29 carries for 132 rushing yards.
After the 2021 NFL season, Shenault was traded to the Carolina Panthers, a team dealing with significant roster instability at the time. Over two seasons with Carolina, he managed just 37 receptions for 332 yards and one touchdown, while also adding 21 carries for 120 yards and another score.
Shenault spent time with the Seahawks and Chargers in 2024 but was largely an afterthought on offense. However, he has remained a reliable option as a return specialist, primarily handling kick returns since his time in Carolina. In total, he has accumulated 708 yards on 25 kick returns, scoring two touchdowns, including a career-long 97-yarder. His best season as a returner came in 2024, when he returned 16 kickoffs for 459 yards, highlighted by that 97-yard touchdown.
Right now, most Bills fans are wondering whether a given receiver is a true speedster or thrives on contested catches. Shenault’s pre-draft measurements suggest the latter. He stands 6’5/8″ tall, weighs 227 pounds, and has 31 7/8″ arms with 9″ hands. His testing numbers included a 4.58-second 40-yard dash, a 1.61-second 10-yard split, and a 2.67-second 20-yard split.
Many fans may wonder why general manager Brandon Beane decided to sign Laviska Shenault. The simple answer is roster space—there are 90 available spots (91 with the International Player Pathway Program), and the Bills currently have fewer than 70 players under contract. Another factor is the idea of taking a chance. This signing could be a dart throw, hoping Shenault can recapture some of the potential he displayed during his time with the Jaguars.
There’s no indication that Buffalo is looking to replace Brandon Codrington as their primary return specialist. However, the Bills may be interested in seeing how Shenault fits into their system, given his early promise as a receiver in college and the NFL, along with his effectiveness as a kick returner.
This move seems less about filling a pressing need and more about taking a low-risk chance on a player with untapped potential. For the Bills, it’s an opportunity to see if Shenault can carve out a role, whether as a depth receiver, gadget player, or return specialist. For Shenault, it’s a fresh start with a team that has room to experiment.
What stands out is how his versatility—particularly his ability to contribute on special teams—might give him a better shot at making the roster than his receiving skills alone. Do you think he has a realistic path to sticking with Buffalo, or is this just a camp body signing?
