The NFL is a brutal business. Honestly, one day you're a draft pick with a four-year contract, and the next, you're looking for a job in the UFL. That’s basically the reality for Kaden Prather right now. When the Buffalo Bills release Kaden Prather, it wasn't just a simple roster trim. It was a combination of bad timing, a nagging injury, and the high-stakes pressure of a Buffalo training camp that doesn't wait for anyone to heal up.
Most people saw the headline and moved on. But if you're a Bills fan or a draft nerd, you know Prather was one of those "project" players people were actually excited about. He had the size. He had the speed.
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He just didn't have the health.
The Short-Lived Bills Career of Kaden Prather
Buffalo took a flyer on the Maryland product in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Pick 240, to be exact. At 6-foot-3 and roughly 210 pounds, he looked like the kind of vertical threat Josh Allen loves. General Manager Brandon Beane even talked him up after the draft, mentioning how his specific physical traits could help him carve out a role.
Then came the hamstring.
Soft tissue injuries are a death sentence for rookies. You can’t make the club from the tub. Prather spent most of July and August on the sidelines watching guys like Tyrell Shavers and KJ Hamler take the reps he desperately needed. By the time he actually got on the field for 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears in the preseason, the writing was on the wall. He didn't record a catch.
Shortly after, the news broke: the Bills release Kaden Prather with an injury designation. He eventually cleared waivers, reverted to IR, and then reached an injury settlement.
Why the Release Happened So Fast
NFL teams are usually more patient with draft picks, even seventh-rounders. So why did Buffalo pull the trigger before the final preseason game?
- Roster Cracks: The Bills were dealing with a massive wave of injuries in the 2025 camp. Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel were already banged up. They needed "bodies" who could actually practice and play.
- The Settlement: By reaching an injury settlement, the Bills cleared a roster spot and avoided paying his full salary while he sat on IR.
- The Performance Gap: While Prather was out, other depth receivers were proving they could play special teams. For a seventh-rounder, special teams is your only ticket to the 53-man roster. Prather never got to show he could do it.
It’s easy to blame the player, but sometimes it’s just bad luck. Prather had a 4.46-second 40-yard dash. That’s moving for a big guy. But speed doesn't matter if your hamstring is tight.
From Orchard Park to the Louisville Kings
If you're wondering where he is now, things took an interesting turn in early 2026. After a workout with the Atlanta Falcons didn't lead to a contract, Prather shifted gears. On January 14, 2026, the Louisville Kings of the United Football League (UFL) selected him in the draft.
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It’s a smart move. The UFL has become a legitimate second-chance saloon for guys like Prather. Think about it. He gets to actually play football instead of just "working out" for scouts. He can put fresh tape out there, show that his hamstring is 100%, and potentially get a call-back to an NFL training camp by the summer of 2026.
His college stats at West Virginia and Maryland showed he can be a volume receiver. He finished his college career with over 160 catches and nearly 2,000 yards. The talent is there.
What the Bills Missed Out On
Some scouts compared Prather to a "poor man's" Courtland Sutton. He was a niche option—a field stretcher who could use his frame to shield defenders. The Bills' receiving room is currently built around versatility and route-running, but they still lack that massive, traditional X-receiver who can consistently win 50/50 balls.
Prather was supposed to be that "maybe" guy.
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Instead, the Bills moved on to guys like Grant DuBose and Jarveon Howard to fill the gaps. It shows you how little room for error there is at the bottom of an NFL roster. If you’re a day-three pick, you have to be perfect. Prather’s body just didn't cooperate at the worst possible time.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Story
If you're tracking Prather's comeback, here is what to keep an eye on:
- Watch the UFL Season: The Louisville Kings start play in the spring. If Prather starts racking up 70-yard games, NFL scouts will notice.
- Monitor the Bills' Dead Cap: Because of the injury settlement, Prather still counts for about $82,000 in dead money on Buffalo’s 2026 cap. It’s a tiny amount, but it’s a reminder of the failed 2025 pick.
- Look for the "Second Year Leap": Many receivers who fail as rookies due to injury end up signing "futures" contracts with other teams. Prather is still only 23. His NFL story might not be over; it's just on a detour through Kentucky.
Basically, the Bills release Kaden Prather was a casualty of the "availability is the best ability" rule. You can have all the 4.4 speed in the world, but if you're not on the practice field in Orchard Park, you're replaceable.