Bills' third-round pick T.J. Graham took a bit longer to sign than the rest of the team's 2012 draft class, but with a couple of weeks before training camp the receiver reached an agreement with Buffalo putting all nine draft choices under contract.
Seeing all of his other draft classmates signed a while ago didn't really weigh on his mind. Graham was confident he'd be signed in plenty of time before the opening of training camp.
"I didn't feel like I was waiting," Graham told Buffalobills.com. "I was participating in all of the other workouts this spring."
Rookies can report to the team facility to work out on their own beginning today (July 9th) provided they are under contract and that served as added motivation for Graham to get his deal done.
"I'm just excited to officially be part of the team so I'm ready to get things started," he said.
Graham was a player the Bills traded up two places to land in the third round of the 2012 draft, parting ways with a seventh-round draft choice to make it happen. Chan Gailey and his coaching staff are hoping Graham can be a much needed deep threat outside. He liked what he saw out of him in the spring camps.
"He caught the ball well," said Gailey. "To be honest with you he's exactly what we thought. He's a raw route runner. He can run fast. He can catch a football. I'm anxious to see how he can develop as time goes on, but he made a lot of progress."
"I need to be here every day to get on point with Fitz and get this offense going and see how I can get on the field and make plays for this team," said Graham.
Graham lined up at outside almost exclusively in spring workouts, and figures to be in the mix for a role outside in Buffalo's spread sets, and with a good camp could challenge for the number two receiving role opposite Stevie Johnson.
"You're trying to make a good impression amongst your coaches and your peers," said Graham. "Just doing all that and trying to satisfy yourself, your standards that you set up. You've got to take advantage of everything."
With Graham's signing Buffalo's entire 2012 draft class will report to camp on time.
