Last season a pair of Bills rookies who went undrafted found their way into the starting lineup. Wide receiver Robert Foster and cornerback Levi Wallace made an unexpected impact after both were signed as rookie free agents.
Buffalo signed eight more undrafted rookies to three-year contracts this spring. Below is a thumbnail sketch of the undrafted players the Bills added to their offseason roster along with some expert analysis.
LB Tyrel Dodson – Texas A&M – 6-0, 237
Known as a hard hitter, Dodson is a projected inside or strong side linebacker prospect. He put together a giant sophomore campaign leading A&M with 105 tackles including 11.5 for loss, five and a half sacks, three interceptions and seven pass breakups. Ran a 4.6 40-time at the NFL combine.
Analysis: Inside linebacker prospect in either an odd or even front with the potential to compete at SAM in a 4-3. Dodson has good size and explosiveness who offers above average special teams cover talent.
--NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein
WR Nick Easley – Iowa – 5-11, 205
A JUCO transfer who walked on at Iowa, Easley became a productive complementary weapon for the Hawkeyes passing game out of the slot. The shifty receiver posted back-to-back 50-catch seasons and finished his college career on a high note with eight receptions for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Mississippi State in the Outback Bowl. He ran a 4.58 40-time at his pro day and showed great agility with a 6.72-second time in the three-cone drill as well as a 4.08-second short shuttle.
Analysis: According to PFF, Easley had the second-lowest drop rate in the Big Ten in 2018.
LB Juwan Foggie – UNC-Charlotte – 6-0, 235
A converted receiver, Foggie took to the linebacker position exceptionally well. As a senior he posted six interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also had a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Foggie has also made plays on special teams with a blocked punt that went for a touchdown and a punter's fumble that he returned for a touchdown in his career. He clocked a 4.77 40-time at his pro day.
Analysis: Foggie's six interceptions in 2018 led Conference USA.
OL Blake Hance – Northwestern – 6-5 ½, 300
A converted tight end from high school, Hance transitioned to an offensive tackle role well as a redshirt freshman moving into the starting lineup at left tackle midway through the 2015 season. He went on to make 46 starts as a fixture on the blind side. A two-time member of the Big Ten All-Academic team.
QB Tyree Jackson – Buffalo – 6-7, 249
The Mid-American Conference Player of the Year threw for more than 3,100 yards with 28 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. Widely seen as a developmental quarterback with elite size, arm strength and good mobility. He ran a 4.59 40-time at the NFL combine and a 34.5-inch vertical.
Analysis: "I think he's still an ascending player. I know he's been working on his mechanics with Jordan Palmer. I talked to Jordan here at his pro day and just asked him some of the things he was working with him on. He thought he was heading in the right direction."
--Bills GM Brandon Beane
CB Cam Lewis – Buffalo – 5-11, 185
A 2018 second-team All MAC honoree after bouncing back from an injury-shortened 2017, Lewis posted three interceptions and six pass breakups in his senior season. Lewis began his UB career as a nickel corner inside before lining up outside more over his final three seasons. He ran a 4.44 40-time at his pro day.
Analysis: "We think he has some nickel ability. We're fortunate to add him to our team."
--Bills GM Brandon Beane
K Chase McLaughlin – Illinois – 6-1, 190
The Big Ten Kicker of the Year was an 80-percent kicker in 2018 (20-25) and ranked second in the nation in 50-plus yard makes. McLaughlin was also perfect on extra point attempts in his college career going 79-for-79.
WR David Sills V – West Virginia – 6-4, 205
A highly recruited quarterback prospect out of high school, Sills left West Virginia following his freshman year, only to return following a year at junior college and converted to wide receiver. Sills was an unstoppable scoring machine with 33 touchdown catches over his final two seasons and almost 2,000 receiving yards on 125 receptions in that span.
Analysis: "He plays outside, has height and length and you just saw production from him. A smart kid and a savvy route runner. We had a draftable grade on him."
--Bills GM Brandon Beane
