The eight undrafted free agents signed by the Buffalo Bills earlier this month face long odds to make the team’s roster.
That’s true around the NFL, but particularly so in Buffalo, where General Manager Brandon Beane has built a deep roster with no obvious holes.
When the team finally gathers, however, none of the eight undrafted free agents will have to look far to find inspiration. There are plenty of examples of their teammates overcoming those long odds to carve out successful NFL careers. Defensive end Mario Addison is entering his 10th season. Wide receiver Cole Beasley, fullback Patrick DiMarco and offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe are all entering their ninth year in the league.
It can be done. But who has the best chance? Here, in order from least to greatest, are The Buffalo News’ rankings.
8. CB Ike Brown
The Bills drafted a cornerback, Pitt's Dane Jackson, in the seventh round. After the draft, General Manager Brandon Beane said they did so at that point because they felt Jackson had the best chance at making the team among several prospects in consideration at that time. That doesn’t bode well for Brown, who has adequate height at 6 feet, but lacks strength at just 185 pounds. Brown did have seven passes defensed last season for Florida International, along with 44 tackles. The Bills’ depth at cornerback, though, makes it highly unlikely he’ll compete for anything more than a spot on the practice squad. Tre’Davious White, Josh Norman, Levi Wallace, E.J. Gaines, Taron Johnson and Jackson are all ahead of him on the depth chart. So, too, is Siran Neal, if he stays at nickel cornerback.
7. OT Brandon Walton
He blocked for Devin Singletary at Florida Atlantic, but Walton’s level of play in college leaves serious questions about how he’ll translate to the next level. He's not an overly impressive athlete, which makes the odds even longer.
6. OL Marquel Harrell
The Auburn product was a two-year starter in the SEC. That shows he can play at a high level. He’s working at both center and guard in an effort to increase his positional flexibility, which the Bills like, but the team is fairly deep on the interior of the offensive line. Starters Quinton Spain, Jon Feliciano and Mitch Morse return, as well as top backups Spencer Long and Ike Boettger. Both Feliciano and Long can play both guard and center.
5. S Garrett Taylor
A team captain at Penn State, Taylor clearly has leadership skills. The Bills are set at safety with starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Jaquan Johnson, a sixth-round draft pick in 2019, and returning veteran Dean Marlowe are the top returning backups. At just 203 pounds, Taylor is likely too small to play the "Buffalo" nickel position in Sean McDermott’s defense.
4. RB Antonio Williams
With the Bills taking running back Zack Moss in the third round, there aren’t many jobs available in the backfield. Moss and Devin Singletary are locks, and Taiwan Jones figures to be the No. 4 running back with a primary focus on special teams. That leaves Williams to compete with T.J. Yeldon and Christian Wade for one spot, assuming the Bills decide to keep four players at the position. Williams, who started his college career at Ohio State before transferring to North Carolina, does have experience on special teams, which could help his cause. Yeldon, though, is a former second-round pick who excels as a receiver. That specific skill set could be more valuable to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
3. S Josh Thomas
The Bills reportedly spent some time scouting the Appalachian State product during the season. He’s about the same size as Taylor, so he faces some of the same concerns about his ability to play the "Buffalo" nickel spot. Also like Taylor, Thomas is a college team captain. It’s not inconceivable that Thomas (or Taylor) could beat out Johnson for a reserve spot.
2. FB Reggie Gilliam
Gilliam was a special-teams monster at Toledo, which is what he’ll need to be at the next level to beat out DiMarco. The fullback doesn’t have a large role in the Bills’ offense, but Gilliam has some experience at tight end, which means his skills as a blocker and pass catcher could be utilized. Gilliam might have had a better chance had DiMarco, who is in the final year of his contract, not agreed to take a pay cut. By doing so, DiMarco’s chances of sticking around increased – particularly when considering he’s a special-teams captain who is a respected leader in the locker room.
1. LT Trey Adams
At the time the draft ended, the Washington product was ESPN’s top-ranked remaining player. Heading into his junior season in 2017, the 6-foot, 8-inch, 311-pound Adams was considered a potential first-round draft prospect. A torn ACL seven games into that season, however, put an end to that. The injury problems continued the next year when Adams had back surgery just before the season opener, missing all but the final four games of the year. Adams returned to school in 2019, playing every game and earning All-Pac 12 first-team honors, but questions about his athleticism after the injuries dropped him out of the draft. Still, he plays a premier position and if the Bills’ training staff can get the best out of him physically, it’s possible Adams could sneak onto the back end of the roster based on potential alone.
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May 26, 2020 at 04:00PM
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Which Bills' undrafted free agents have the best chance of making the roster? - Buffalo News
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