This upcoming season for the Buffalo Bills could very well determine what future the team has moving forward. They have a Top 3 quarterback in Josh Allen, a coaching staff that has continuity, and a rising tight end and running back in Dalton Kincaid and James Cook. However, they have had a lot of changes this past offseason at wide receiver and in the secondary of the defense. For the first time since 2017, Bills fans will not see players like Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer, Micha Hyde (potentially), Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis take the field as a Buffalo Bill this season.

The Bills are going to look different without question and that puts certain players in a bigger spotlight than they already have been in. There are five specific players who are facing make-or-break seasons with the Bills that could show what Bills fans are in for with the next couple of seasons, or whether or not they are in Buffalo this time next season.

Here are the five Bills that fans need to keep a close eye on this season.

5.) RB James Cook

The Bills were finally able to get a running back to rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time since LeSean McCoy. James Cook rushed for 1,122 yards with the Bills but only ran for two touchdowns, making it four in his career. Cook had four receiving touchdowns alone last season. The running back committee of Cook and Latavius Murray was a solid duo for the Bills down the stretch and then the late addition of Ty Johnson brought more versatility to the run game.

Heading into 2024, the Bills will have Cook as the main back with Johnson and rookie Ray Davis behind him. This will be his third year with the Bills making it just one season away before he enters a contract year. As a second round pick in 2022, Cook does not have a fifth-year option to his contract so the Bills will need to make a decision on whether or not Cook will be the franchise back the Bills have been lacking since McCoy.