Buffalo Bills Undrafted Free Agents: Need-to-Know Info for Every Signee
All 256 picks of the 2014 NFL draft are now in the books, but that doesn't mean the Buffalo Bills' work is done. After making seven selections in this year's draft, the Bills are now continuing to add as much talent as they can to their team by signing undrafted rookies to free-agent contracts.
The Bills come out of the draft with not only an intriguing class of talent, but also high pressure to perform. By trading up in the first round to land Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins and giving up two 2015 draft picks in the process, Buffalo set forth clear expectations that they expect to be a winning team making a playoff push in 2014.
After making a big first-round splash, the Bills drafted Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio and Louisville linebacker Preston Brown in the second and third rounds, respectively. On Day 3, the Bills selected Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell in Round 4, chose Baylor guard Cyril Richardson in Round 5 and made two seventh-round selections in Florida Atlantic linebacker Randell Johnson and Miami offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson.
How can the Bills still improve their team in undrafted free agency? There's still a number of positions where the Bills could have an opening for talent. Across the board, however, the Bills aren't looking for many immediate contributors from the undrafted pool, but mostly players who can provide depth and potentially emerge as a hidden gem.
The Bills certainly found a hidden gem last year in cornerback Nickell Robey, an undrafted USC product who emerged as one of the NFL's best slot corners in his rookie year. Another significant UDFA signing from last year's class was Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel, who ended up starting a game in his rookie year when both EJ Manuel and Thad Lewis went down with injury.
Who could be the hidden gems of this year's undrafted free-agent class? Take a look at some of the potential contributors who have been signed by the team thus far.
UPDATE, 1 p.m. ET Tuesday: The Bills have made nine of their undrafted free agent additions official.
Darius Robinson, CB, Clemson
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The Buffalo Bills' first draft selection this year is from Clemson and so is one of their first undrafted free-agent signings. According to Clemson247.com, the Bills have signed Tigers cornerback Darius Robinson to a contract.
The Bills drafted one cornerback to provide depth at the position but could potentially get more from Robinson.
Robinson, who had 37 tackles, three interceptions and three tackles for loss in his senior season, measured in at 5'10", 181 pounds and ran a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at Clemson's pro day, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
A small cornerback who only had one significantly productive season at Clemson, Robinson is a long shot to make the Bills roster but gives the team another option for a secondary it wanted to add talent to.
Darrin Kitchens, OLB, Florida
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The Bills are continuing to search for linebacker depth in undrafted free agency, starting with the signing of Florida's Darrin Kitchens, according to NFL Draft Diamonds.
At 6'2" and 230 pounds, Kitchens is a bit undersized for an NFL linebacker, but he is a fast player who ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at Florida's pro day, according to NFLDraftScout.com.
Kitchens never emerged as a key player on the Florida defense, starting just six games and recording just 59 tackles over the course of his four-year career. His athleticism and range, nonetheless, give him the potential to carve out a depth role if he shows he can continue to make plays on special teams, where he was most productive for the Gators.
Damien Jacobs, DT, Florida
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Another Florida prospect, Damien Jacobs tweeted that he has joined the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent:
"Just became the newest member of the Buffalo Bills, God is great!
— Damien Jacobs (@HallUFameDame) May 11, 2014"
Jacobs, who played two seasons at Florida and started four games after transferring to the university from junior college, recorded 34 career tackles, including six tackles for loss, over the course of his Gators career.
A 6'3", 296-pound defensive tackle who posted a 5.27-second 40-yard dash at Florida's pro day, according to NFLDraftScout.com, Jacobs doesn't have the measurables that would lead one to believe he will overcome his underwhelming Gators career to make an NFL roster. The Bills do have somewhat of a need for defensive tackle depth, however, which will give him a fighting chance.
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Deon Broomfield, S, Iowa State
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Iowa State safety Deon Broomfield announced via his Twitter account that he is joining the Buffalo Bills:
"Speechless. Headed to the Buffalo Bills!
— Deon Broomfield (@iBroomy) May 10, 2014"
Broomfield measured in at 6'0", 200 pounds and ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at ISU's pro day, according to NFLDraftScout.com. A good athlete who also posted a 10'3" broad jump, Broomfield became a full-time starter in his senior year and posted 57 tackles, one interception and six pass deflections.
After the Bills opted not to select any safeties in this year's draft class, Broomfield will compete to provide depth at that position.
Before getting the call from the NFL, Broomfield had signed on to become the defensive backs coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, according to the school's official website.
Kenny Ladler, S, Vanderbilt
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The Buffalo Bills continued to add secondary depth by signing Vanderbilt's Kenny Ladler, per the safety's Twitter account:
"Always been underestimated! Ima just keep grinding and make them believe on the next level with the @buffalobills #Thankful #BillsMafia
— Kenny Ladler (@kennyladlo) May 11, 2014"
Ladler should have a legitimate shot of making Buffalo's roster. He was considered a Day 3 draft prospect until the NFL Scouting Combine, where the 6'0", 207-pound safety ran a 4.70-second 40-yard dash, a very slow time for the position, according to NFL.com.
He might struggle in deep coverage as a result of his lackluster speed, but he is a strong, physical safety who makes plays in run support.
Ladler led the Commodores with at least 90 total tackles in each of the past two seasons. He also showed ball skills throughout his career by recording nine interceptions, including five as a senior.
If Ladler can contribute well on special teams, there could be a roster spot for him as the team's fifth safety.
Jimmy Gaines, LB, Miami
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The linebacker depth on the Buffalo Bills continues to grow, as the team signed Miami's Jimmy Gaines to a contract, according to Miami athletic communications director Chris Yandle.
A three-year starter on the Hurricanes defense, Gaines recorded 199 tackles in his Miami career.
Despite his productive career, Gaines' measurables might not stack up in the NFL. Having weighed in at just 232 pounds at Miami's pro day, according to NFLDraftScout.com, the 6'1" linebacker is small for the position in the NFL and is not an outstanding athlete, either.
Nonetheless, the Bills have made it clear through their additions that they want new linebackers in the fold, and that gives everyone—including Gaines—a chance, especially if he can establish himself as a key role player on special teams.
Derek Brim, S, Buffalo
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The Bills continued to add safeties on the undrafted free agent market by staying local and bringing in University at Buffalo's Derek Brim, who announced via Twitter on Saturday morning that he was getting a shot with the Bills.
"Blessed to become part of the Buffalo Bills. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to play in the NFL for my hometown! #BillsMafia
— Derek Brim (@DerekBrim15) May 11, 2014"
Brim, who measured at 6'1" and 200 pounds and ran a 4.60-second 40-yard dash at Buffalo's pro day according to NFLDraftScout.com, began his Buffalo career as a wide receiver but converted to defensive back and emerged as a starter midway through his junior year. He recorded 105 tackles and six pass breakups in his final two seasons for the Bulls.
He's another long shot to make the roster, but as the team has brought in three UDFA safeties, it's evident that there might be a roster spot available for one of them.
Colby Way, DT, Buffalo
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The Bills are giving another local product a chance, as announced by the University at Buffalo's Twitter account Monday, by signing defensive lineman Colby Way as an undrafted free agent.
Way made a name for himself in Western New York with a productive career for the Bulls, recording 148 total tackles and 27 total tackles for loss in his four-year collegiate career.
The problem for Way, however, is that he is an undersized defensive tackle who lacks explosive physical traits. According to NFLDraftScout.com, Way measured in at 6'3" and 285 pounds while running a 5.15-second 40-yard dash at Buffalo's pro day.
Like most of Buffalo's undrafted free agents, he's a roster long shot.
Bryan Johnson, LB, West Texas A&M
9 of 10The Buffalo Bills announced Bryan Johnson of West Texas A&M as one of nine undrafted free agent additions as they rounded out their rookie class Tuesday.
A junior college transfer into the Division II ranks, Johnson played in 28 games at West Texas A&M, of which he started 10. He finished his Buffs career with 89 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, eight quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
Johnson is listed by the team as a linebacker, but with some pass-rushing ability, he might be better suited to play defensive end. He measured in at 6'3" and 260 pounds at the Detroit Super Regional Combine, according to NFLDraftScout.com, but only managed a 4.99-second 40-yard dash.
An older prospect who will already be 26 years old when the 2014 season begins, he appears to be the longest of long shots, but he could factor in at the defensive end position given the team's lack of depth there.
Kenny Guiton, QB, Ohio State (Camp Invitation)
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The Buffalo Bills opted not to add any quarterbacks in free agency or the draft, but they are giving an undrafted free agent passer an opportunity.
"Just got off the phone with Kenny Guiton's agent who informed me Guiton has accepted invite to #Bills camp this week. #Buckeyes
— David Wilkinson (@David10TV) May 12, 2014"
Guiton's addition was not officially announced by the team Tuesday, unlike the team's other nine undrafted free agents, so he will have to stand out in minicamp just to earn a spot on the Bills' roster. If he fights his way onto the 90-man team, however, he could provide a legitimate push to Jeff Tuel for the Bills' third-string quarterback job.
While he was a backup to Braxton Miller for most of his career at Ohio State, injuries to Miller gave Guiton opportunities to play, and he performed well when called upon. Over the past two seasons, Guiton completed 88-of-132 passes for 888 yards, 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while he also rushed for 362 yards and five touchdown on 49 attempts.
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