Which Bills UDFAs have best chance to make the roster?
Although the Buffalo Bills have a strong roster right now, positions and roles still need to be earned. These three undrafted free agents have the best chance of being selected by the team.
A few years ago, One Bills Drive was the ideal destination for “premiere” undrafted free agents, a highly sought-after destination for some of the more illustrious players who were overlooked by the NFL Draft.
This was mostly caused by the Buffalo Bills’ roster quality—or lack thereof—over the course of the twenty-first century.
The team has lacked depth and talent for extended periods of time, which has led undrafted free agents to view signing with the Bills as a favorable option to remain with a team.
The Buffalo team, which was once among the least talented in the league, has been transformed over the last seven years by general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott into one of the league’s deepest, a consistent challenger that even McDermott has hinted will undoubtedly win a Super Bowl. The inability to draw in high-profile undrafted free agents is an unintentional (and maybe desirable) consequence of having a deep roster and annual contention; unselected players typically desire reasonably clear paths to a roster position, and Western New York offers few of such avenues.
Though the situation may be slightly different this year, Beane made a deliberate effort this offseason to turn the team’s proverbial clock backward, parting ways with a number of reliable starters and cutting big payroll as he focused on developing young players. Even though the team is still deep, there are more unclaimed free agency positions available than in previous seasons. If these players have a run of excellent preseason and training camp performances, they may be able to grab one of these spots. While it is unlikely for any player in the Bills’ 2024 undrafted free agent class to join the team, a few have relatively easy routes to the 53-man roster.
The following three undrafted free agents, in our opinion, have the highest chance of joining Buffalo’s roster.
Xavier Johnson is categorized as a wide receiver, however he did not follow the typical route to join the Western New York team. Rather, he presents himself as a special team member and gadget player; fortunately for Johnson, Buffalo seems to have openings for both of these positions.
Johnson was a three-star prospect who was recruited to the Ohio State wide receiver machine. He lined up all over the offense and was a versatile chess piece in Columbus. Last season, he played 158 snaps in the slot, 41 out wide, and 25 in the backfield. On 41 touches, he gained 368 yards from scrimmage. Throughout his collegiate career, he returned 28 kicks for the Buckeyes on special teams.
Johnson is competitive for the Bills’ bottom spot because of his adaptability, size, and favorable circumstances. In the summer, Buffalo made changes to its receiving group, adding youngster Keon Coleman, Mack Hollins, and Curtis Samuel in place of veteran starters Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. Johnson just needs to supplement these talents and give the Bills’ offense something more that it doesn’t already have. He won’t try to usurp or replace any of these superstars.
