Archives for April 8, 2017

'Yates started two playoff games for the Texans as a rookie, beating the Bengals in the wild-card round before losing to Baltimore. He also played for the Dolphins in their playoff loss to the Steelers in January. In 18 career games, he's thrown for 1,352 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions, with a passer rating of 72.8.'

'Metz, 26, played for the Qingdao Clipper of the China Arena Football League after he was drafted in the third round of the league's inaugural draft. As Colton alluded to, he also played for the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul. A 6-foot-7, 265-pounder, Metz played at Div. II Shippensbugh University before going undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft.'

'A former undrafted free agent, Robey-Coleman played in all 64 games for the Bills over the past four seasons, with 15 starts. He has five sacks and three interceptions in his career, two of which he has returned for touchdowns. One of those came against the Rams in 2016, helping the Bills to a win in Week Five.'

'Williams' scouting profile on nfl.com says his "early route speed is below average. Takes too long to get to the top of his routes." A 4.43-second 40-yard dash at Grambling's Pro Day, however, showed he has the speed needed to play at the next level. That time was even lower on some other stopwatches, too.'

'Robey-Coleman will reunite with former Bills and Trojan teammate Robert Woods in Los Angeles. They'll both get to play their home games in their college stadium, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2017.

'Yates, 29, spent the 2016 season in the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins. He did not record any stats in Miami. The majority of Yates' career has been with the Houston Texans. He spent his first three seasons with the team after being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft and returned to Houston after a one-year stint in Atlanta.'

'The two defensive backs the Bills brought in both have a shot to compete. Cromartie spent the last three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. Sylve spent last season out of football with a torn achilles tendon he suffered at Alabama's pro day.'

'Buffalo has many needs they could address at pick 10, but if Whaley and new head coach Sean McDermott view Deshaun Watson as a franchise quarterback, it may be difficult for the team to pass on the Clemson signal-caller.'

'At this point in the offseason, Metz appears to be a longshot to make the 53-man roster. The Bills need bodies to hold a minicamp in a few weeks before the draft. With the signing of Metz, the Bills now have 62 players under contract, which is still the lowest amount in the NFL.'

'Yes, Sean McDermott said he thinks the Bills' No. 2 wide receiver is on the roster, but there's no question Boldin, even at his age, would be a significant upgrade over either Andre Holmes, Philly Brown or any other receiver the Bills have. Boldin took a step back in 2016 and still finished with 67 catches and eight touchdowns. That would have been a career year for any Bills receiver not named Watkins.'

'In two years with the Soul (2015-16), Metz racked up 29.5 total tackles and 7.5 sacks. His swarming style also resulted in three pass break-ups and a pair of forced fumbles.'

'The Bills also signed linebackers Jacob Lindsey, Junior Sylvestre and Eddie Yarbrough, defensive end Jake Metz and defensive back Bradley Sylve. Buffalo also addressed its offensive line depth by signing Cameron Jefferson and Jordan Mudge.'

'Among the newest Bills is former Alabama cornerback Bradley Slve. He was a draft prospect for the 2016 NFL Draft, but went undrafted and did not play at all last season due to a torn achilles sustained at his pro day.'

'Now, even though that you've heard of him and remember him starting in Houston all those years ago, that doesn't necessarily owe him any sort of extended opportunity as a backup in Buffalo. If they were to sign him, it would likely be to compete with Cardale Jones to be the backup quarterback in Buffalo.'

'"The wild card, he said, is Buffalo at No. 10 overall if general manager Doug Whaley is 'as in love with [Deshaun" target="_blank"> Watson as we hear he is.'"