DC Leslie Frazier thinks NFL teams might regret passing on this Bills rookie

[HOUSE]

3 days ago

 

BuffaLowDown

 

Nate Mendelson

Contributing Correspondent

 

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference isn’t exactly known for producing droves of football players to the NFL. But, the last three MEAC defensive players of the year have turned into solid NFL players.

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was an All-Pro as a rookie, Steelers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has started the past three seasons and linebacker Joe Thomas has played 52 games the past five seasons with the Packers and Cowboys.

The most recent winner of the award was the Bills’ seventh round pick Darryl Johnson, a defensive end, out of North Carolina A&T.

“When we drafted Darryl we were all excited about getting him in the seventh round,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. “We had our eyes on him and I was so happy when Brandon and his staff decided to take him. To see his growth from rookie minicamp to what he’s now doing in preseason is really encouraging.”

Johnson has flashed during Buffalo’s first two preseason games. He’s made his presence known with a sack and a pass batted down at the line.

“You just like to see the maturation continue,” Frazier said. “He has a lot of natural ability, but he’s still a rookie, there’s so much to learn. He’s still very raw, but you can see some natural instincts and you can see the potential that’s there. If he continues to work hard, you know he’ll have a future in our league.”

Frazier was surprised to see that the Bills were one of the only teams at Johnson’s pro day. Frazier cited the career of Cameron Wake as a pass rusher that wasn’t recruited highly out of college. Johnson might not be Wake but he could be a very successful pass rusher in the league.

“There’s such a premium on pass rushers and usually people dig deep to try and find those type of guys, and for whatever reason Darryl is one of those guys,” Frazier said. “I think we will look back and say he kind of slipped through the cracks.”

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-today-dc-leslie-frazier-thinks-nfl-teams-might-regret-passing-on-this-bill

 

 

Edited August 21, 2019 by HOUSE

[Buffalo716]

6'6 long limbs 

 

Plays with high energy and can dip around a tackle

 

1 trick pony at this point... But he has good potential

[YoloinOhio]

4 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

6'6 long limbs 

 

Plays with high energy and can dip around a tackle

 

1 trick pony at this point... But he has good potential

Definitely worth a 7th rd flier to find out 

[Buffalo716]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

Definitely worth a 7th rd flier to find out 

He has also flashed the ability to shoot inside a tackle with quickness in college occasionally

 

If he can develop that with his straight speed rush and bend ability I can see a legitimate 3rd down specialist who can notch 6+ sacks a year

[Saint Doug]

“If he continues to work hard, you know he’ll have a future in our league.”

 

“...usually people dig deep to try and find those type of guys”

 

”...he kind of slipped through the cracks.”

Edited August 21, 2019 by Saint Doug

[Alaska Darin]

Poor man's Chandler Jones.  Here's to hoping he develops similarly.

[DCofNC]

Hopefully he can stick and develop here, looks like he has the talent to be a big contributor.

[Don Otreply]

Sounds like they want him on the team, 

 

Go Bills!!!

[Augie]

7 minutes ago, Alaska Darin said:

Poor man's Chandler Jones.  Here's to hoping he develops similarly.

 

I hope he too can make the Patriots feel remorse.   ?

[YoloinOhio]

See Brady, get Brady.

[BigdaddyinOrlando]

I’m willing to bet he is on the 53, showed a lot of potential and is developing nicely it sounds like. No way he doesn’t get scooped up by someone immediately and definitely wouldn’t make it to our practice squad.  

[HOUSE]

1 hour ago, BigdaddyinOrlando said:

I’m willing to bet he is on the 53, showed a lot of potential and is developing nicely it sounds like. No way he doesn’t get scooped up by someone immediately and definitely wouldn’t make it to our practice squad.  

 

I highly doubt Brandon Beane would waive a drafted 2019 player. 

[YoloinOhio]

10 minutes ago, HOUSE said:

 

I highly doubt Brandon Beane would waive a drafted 2019 player. 

Right. Unless they significantly outplay him over the next 2 weeks, he’s going to get the nod over guys like Mike Love and Eddie Yarbrough 

[Fixxxer]

49 minutes ago, Buffalo716 said:

6'6 long limbs 

 

Plays with high energy and can dip around a tackle

 

1 trick pony at this point... But he has good potential

 

and the great news is that his college position was RDE and with us he has played almost exclusively as LDE and he has done a fantastic job so far. This coaching staff must love his versatility.

[RocCityRoller]

want to see him vs 1s and 2s. He is clearly better than 3s and 4s.

[LeGOATski]

Gotta build through the draft. 

 

It's definitely happening on defense. These guys have an eye for those players.

 

Still waiting to see for the offense.

[Albany,n.y.]

The Bills may have hit on both 7th rounders.  Top teams hit on lower round picks.  

[Cheektowaga Chad]

Gotta imagine he has a place on the team right now.

 

I mean if you wanted to sneak him onto the practice squad you'd avoid an interview like this right?

[JerseyBills]

13 minutes ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

Gotta imagine he has a place on the team right now.

 

I mean if you wanted to sneak him onto the practice squad you'd avoid an interview like this right?

And Bills coaches are very calculated when giving prraise to young guys , at least that's the impression I've gotten over 3 years. This kid earned these compliments and McD and Frazier must be very happy with how he's handling himself on n off the field. 

[Flip Johnson]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

Definitely worth a 7th rd flier to find out 

 

Frazier's comments make it sound like this guy is a roster lock.

 

Last year we took Austin Proehl in the 7th round!