In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the NFL, the Buffalo Bills have parted ways with their 2025 seventh-round draft pick, wide receiver Kaden Prather, before he could even ink his rookie contract. The decision, announced on Tuesday, is part of a flurry of roster moves as the Bills reshape their lineup ahead of the 2025 season, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s strategy at the wide receiver position.
A Busy Day of Transactions
The Bills were active on the transaction wire, adding running back Jarveon Howard and wide receiver Grant DuBose to the roster while placing running back Darrynton Evans on injured reserve and waiving both Prather and cornerback Te’Cory Couch, a 2024 practice squad member. Howard, who played for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL in 2024, brings a solid 4.56 yards per carry average, having rushed for 310 yards and three touchdowns on 68 carries. DuBose, a former seventh-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2023, has limited NFL experience, with just two catches for 11 yards across three games in 2024.
Roster moves:
Signed RB Jarveon Howard and WR Grant DuBose.
RB Darrynton Evans was placed on injured reserve.
CB Te’Cory Couch and WR Kaden Prather have been waived/injured. pic.twitter.com/IoepfyDYMm
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) August 19, 2025
The release of Prather, however, is the headline-grabber. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Prather was seen as a developmental prospect with potential to contribute down the line. His abrupt departure before signing a contract has raised eyebrows, especially given the Bills’ shaky depth at wide receiver.
Wide Receiver Woes in Buffalo
Buffalo’s wide receiver room is under intense scrutiny. Veteran Elijah Moore, expected to be a key contributor, has struggled mightily in training camp and preseason, putting his roster spot in jeopardy. Emerging players like Tyrell Shavers and Laviska Shenault are reportedly outshining Moore, and the potential return of free-agent wide receiver Gabe Davis, who is visiting both the Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, could further complicate the depth chart. Davis, a former Bill, would bring familiarity and proven production, potentially pushing Moore—and others—further down or off the roster entirely.
Grant DuBose, despite his addition, is considered a long shot to make the final 53-man roster, serving primarily as a camp body. The Bills’ decision to waive Prather suggests they saw little immediate or long-term value in the rookie, a surprising assessment for a player they selected just months ago.
Running Back Room Offers Hope
While the wide receiver position remains a question mark, the running back situation appears more stable. Jarveon Howard’s signing adds depth to a group that includes four other backs, and his UFL performance indicates he could compete for a roster spot. Meanwhile, Darrynton Evans’ placement on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury suffered last Friday means he’s likely to miss the entire 2025 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.
What’s Next for Prather?
Kaden Prather’s release is a stark reminder of the NFL’s cutthroat nature, where even draft picks aren’t guaranteed a chance to prove themselves. The rookie wide receiver now enters the waiver wire, where another team may claim him to bolster their own depth chart. For Prather, it’s a bitter end to what was supposed to be the start of a dream career in Buffalo, but it could also be an opportunity to find a better fit elsewhere.
A Team in Transition
The Bills’ roster moves signal a team in flux, particularly at wide receiver, where uncertainty looms large. With Gabe Davis potentially returning and underperformers like Elijah Moore on thin ice, Buffalo is clearly prioritizing immediate contributors over long-term projects like Prather. As the 2025 season approaches, the Bills’ front office and coaching staff face mounting pressure to solidify their receiving corps and maintain their status as AFC contenders.
For now, the NFL world is left reeling from the shocking release of a rookie who never got the chance to sign his name on a Buffalo Bills contract. Kaden Prather’s draft dream may have died in Buffalo, but his journey in the NFL may not be over yet.