The Bills continue to make progress in getting their rookie draft class under contract. On Thursday they signed fifth-round pick Karlos Williams.
The running back is one of three Florida State products selected by Buffalo in the 2015 draft. Williams averaged nearly six yards a carry (5.9) over his final two seasons for the Seminoles and finished ninth in school history in rushing touchdowns with 22.
Williams is well aware of the competitive situation he walks into in Buffalo with proven veterans ahead of him on the depth chart at running back.
"I'm already up for the challenge," said Williams. "Playing the game of football is a great challenge and I went to Florida State with a lot of guys that I had to compete against. I played safety, tried out at safety against Terrence Brooks who's with Baltimore, Lamarcus Joyner who's now with the Rams and then I moved to running back and had to compete against Devonte Freeman who's with Atlanta and James Wilder Jr. with Cincinnati so competition is nothing.
"I'm not afraid of it and I'm going to be behind some great guys, some guys who've proven themselves and great backs. Having the challenge and going up there is going to be great and learning from those guys."
Williams is still young at the position, so the Bills obviously see upside in the 6-1, 230-pound back with 4.46 speed.
"I have a lot of room to grow," said Williams. "Like I said before I have a lot to learn at the position, pass protection, run blocking, pass schemes, stuff like that…I have to learn how to read coverages out of the backfield but having guys in front of me like Fred Jackson, LeSean McCoy, Boobie Dixon and Bryce Brown who are guys who have been doing it for years and who have actually learned how to perfect the craft… I'm willing to learn and get in right away."
The fifth-round pick is expected to help the Bills right away on special teams where he was a standout at Florida State.
