Buffalo Bills Undrafted Free Agents: Tracking the Latest Signings

The Buffalo Bills added several talented players in the draft, but the team building process is not over.

Next comes undrafted free agency, with every team getting an opportunity to bring in players who weren't drafted.

Thus, hope is not lost for prospects who didn't hear their name called during the draft.

Which players are the Bills giving an opportunity? Here's an updated tracker of all the Bills' undrafted free-agent signings.

Drew Smith, RB, Albany

Drew Smith was voted first-team All-NEC in 2012, after finishing his career as the school's all-time leader in career touchdowns with 45. His 3,196 rushing yards and 4,721 all-purpose yards were both good for second all time (via UAlbanySports.com).

Expecting him to be that productive in the NFL is not wise, but he should compete for a roster spot with limited depth at running back.

The signing was announced by his high school's athletic department via Twitter and also reported by Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Da'Rick Rogers, WR, Tennessee Tech

The Bills needed a big-bodied receiver, and they got one in undrafted free agency.

Not just anyone, though. They got Da'Rick Rogers, the troubled but talented Tennessee Tech wide receiver.

Rogers had an incredible season at Tennessee in 2011, putting up 67 receptions for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns before transferring to Tennessee Tech. He was expected to be drafted in the mid-rounds, but he unexpectedly went undrafted. The Bills sure aren't complaining, as they now have their man.

The signing was reported by The Buffalo News.

Jeff Tuel, QB, Washington State

At 6'3" and 218 pounds, Jeff Tuel has prototypical size for an NFL quarterback, although he could be taller. He was productive for Washington State when he was on the field, and in his sophomore year, he threw 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The problem is that he has a serious injury history. He has dislocated his knee cap and broken his clavicle. He also missed games because of the flu.

He'll be best served as a backup, where he won't be in the line of fire on a regular basis. The Bills have a clouded quarterback situation as it is, with EJ Manuel and Kevin Kolb vying for the top two spots.

The signing was announced by Tuel via his official Twitter account.

Nickell Robey, CB, USC

Playing cornerback in the pass-happy Pac-12, he has plenty of experience covering and being targeted on a consistent basis.

As a three-year starter at USC, Robey has solid ball skills (24 career pass breakups, seven interceptions), and he's dangerous with the ball in his hands (three interceptions returned for touchdowns).

He's very undersized at 5'7" and 169 pounds, but in the right role, he could thrive.

The signing was reported by Scott Wolf of Los Angeles Daily News.

Brandon Kaufman, WR, Eastern Washington

As the Bills continue to make over the wide receiver position after bidding farewell to both receivers Donald Jones and David Nelson over the past few months, they need to create a competition for roster spots and hopefully find a diamond in the rough or two along the way.

Brandon Kaufman isn't quite known for his speed, but the Bills don't need another speed threat with both T.J. Graham and now Marquise Goodwin on the roster. At 6'5" and 216 pounds, Kaufman provides a big-bodied receiver the Bills lack (outside newly added Da'Rick Rogers). 

The signing was reported by Tim Graham of The Buffalo News.

Kendall Gaskins, FB, Richmond

The Bills have plenty of depth in their backfield with explosive playmakers, but they lack a true short-yardage back.

Gaskins has a nose for the end zone, scoring 34 touchdowns on 452 career carries, about once every 13 carries. He had a career-high 13 touchdowns in 2012.

The signing was reported by James Christensen of NEPatriotsDraft.com and Gaskins also announced the signings via his official Twitter account.

Keith Pough, LB, Howard

Pough made plays all over the field for the Bisons, and finished his career as the FCS' all-time leader in tackles for loss with 71. 

At 6'2" and 239 pounds, Pough's size is great for a linebacker, and though he could stand to get stronger, his non-stop motor should help him make plays at the next level.

The Bills are severely lacking in both depth and talent at linebacker, and Pough should compete for a roster spot. 

The signing was announced by Pough via his official Twitter account.

Ryan Turnley, C, Pittsburgh

Turnley was selected second-team all-Big East after starting his final 26 consecutive games at center, including all 13 in 2012.

He was considered the most consistent linemen on the team in 2012 (via NFLDraftScout.com) and helped the team average 133.1 yards per game on the ground, and helped running back Ray Graham rank fifth in the Big East in rushing yards with 1,042.

The signing was announced by Turnley via his official Twitter account.

Aaron Tipoti, DL, California

Tipoti is considered a solid run-stopping defensive tackle, but at 6'2" and 280 pounds, he's less than ideal size for an NFL defensive linemen. He could play some 5-technique defensive end if the Bills go to a three-man line at any point in time.

Tipoti played in 10 games, with eight starts, and had a career-high 31 tackles. 

The signing was announced by the Cal Bears equipment Twitter page.

Jordan Dangerfield, S, Towson

At 5'11" and 199 pounds, Towson is a little undersized for a safety, but he brings the lumber with some hard hits.

He earned the respect of his teammates, and was named a team captain for Towson in 2011.

Here's a report on his pro day via Gil Brandt of NFL.com:

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The Hofstra transfer ran a wind-aided time of 4.58 seconds in the 40-yard dash and recorded an impressive 10-yard split time of 1.50. He recorded a vertical jump of 41 1/2 inches and a 10-foot-5 broad jump. He went 4.27 in the short shuttle run and 6.74 in the cone drill.

"

The signing was announced by Dangerfield via his official Twitter account and also reported by Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.

Zach Chibane, OL, Syracuse

Doug Marrone clearly knows how he feels about Zach Chibane after coaching him for four seasons at Syracuse. He also knows that Chibane is ultra-reliable, having started all 38 games in his final three seasons at Syracuse.

Via DailyOrange.com:

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The 6-foot-5, 298-pound Chibane helped block for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his three seasons as an anchor on the offensive line. The man who lined up to his left for the last three years, Justin Pugh, was selected by the New York Giants with the 19th overall pick in the NFL Draft.

"

The signing was announced by Chibane via his official Twitter account.

Kip Edwards, CB, Missouri

Kip Edwards is 6'1" and 200 pounds, so he has the size Mike Pettine loves in his defensive backs. Not only that, he comes with a blue-collar attitude, working his way into a starting role from 2008 through 2010 before finally earning it full-time in 2011. 

He isn't a great athlete, but hardly anyone picked up in undrafted free agency has eye-popping measurables.

The signing was reported by Tyler Fulgham of ABC17 Columbia.

Kevin Norrell, WR, Stony Brook

Kevin Norrell is small for an NFL receiver at 5'10" and 200 pounds, but that didn't stop him from having one of the best seasons by a receiver in school history with 66 catches for 1,388 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

He played in all 26 games over the past two years, and started every game in 2012, so durability issues are not a concern despite his diminutive frame.

The signing was announced by Stony Brook's official Twitter account.

Izaan Cross, DE, Georgia Tech

Cross is 6'2" and 283 pounds, which is less than ideal size for him to play his normal position of defensive tackle. He projects as something of a tweener in the NFL—too small to play tackle, a little too big to be an effective end.

He might compete for a job as a run-stuffing left defensive end, but his pass-rushing skills are less than adequate, as evidenced by his four career sacks at Georgia Tech.

The team announced the signing on Monday. 

Vernon Kearney, CB, Lane

At 6'2" and 185 pounds, Kearney fits the current flavor of NFL cornerbacks with his height, but is a little on the thin side. He played primarily on the outside for Lane, and his sub-4.5 long speed would be best used if he remained there.

From a scout, via BuffaloBills.com:

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"A Division II prospect that's raw, but he's got height and speed," said Bills scout Tom Roth. "He's a good developmental prospect and former Bills DB Derrick Burroughs was his head coach there. There are good traits there and Coach Henderson just needs to get some technique work in with him."

"

The Bills desperately need to find depth at cornerback, and Kearney could be a diamond in the rough.

The team announced the signing on Monday. 

Jumal Rolle, CB, Catawba

According to Bills scout Tom Roth, via BuffaloBills.com:

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Catawba is a Division II school and Jumal is almost six-foot and he's a 4.50 guy. He looked really good with movement skills. He pretty much dominated Division II, which you need to do to have a chance in the NFL. He has great special teams ability. He blocked five kicks this past season, so he's going to help on special teams.

"

When asked to describe himself as a player by Bleacher Report's Scott Bischoff, Rolle thinks of himself as a "shutdown kind of guy," and that he "[loves] a good receiver," essentially pointing to himself as a man corner. At 5'11" and 187 pounds, he's not the biggest cornerback in the room, but he is a hard worker, which he'll need to be if he wants to make the roster.

As is the case with the Kearney signing, the Bills feel the need to add depth to their battle at cornerback, and perhaps more names to add to the emergency list.

The team announced the signing on Monday.