Re-sign or “wave good-bye” series: Player 8 - TJ Yeldon

[YoloinOhio]

TJ Yeldon is a UFA in 2021. He will turn 28 in October. Drafted 36th overall by the Jags in 2015, the Bills signed him to a 2 year deal in 2019 FA. He spent the majority of these two years inactive on GameDay. He has 1 TD in 2 years. He does not play ST but provides decent depth in the backfield and adds to the passing game.

 

Evidently not someone you want dating your sister 

Edited February 26, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[DrDawkinstein]

Ha, first one of these that I am straight up "BYE!"

 

Nothing much against Yeldon, but we can do better. Especially if we end up drafting Najee Harris at #30. Let Moss and Singletary battle for TJ's spot.

[Buftex]

Honestly, I would have liked to have seen more of Yeldon in 2020.  I have nothing against bringing him back at the right price, but wouldn't be upset to see him go either.  A lot depends on how Beane/McDermott plan on attacking our running game woes.  Are they of the opinion that our running game issues are rooted in the offensive line, or the running backs.  As a depth guy we could do worse...

[LABILLBACKER]

3 minutes ago, Buftex said:

Honestly, I would have liked to have seen more of Yeldon in 2020.  I have nothing against bringing him back at the right price, but wouldn't be upset to see him go either.  A lot depends on how Beane/McDermott plan on attacking our running game woes.  Are they of the opinion that our running game issues are rooted in the offensive line, or the running backs.  As a depth guy we could do worse...

I agree. He was so underutilized but for whatever reason Daboll and McD went with their 3rd round duo instead. This organization has no intention of giving Yeldon a chance so there's no point in keeping him. Draft Najee and let the duo decide who's worthy of being Harris's backup. 

[machine gun kelly]

LA, that’s why I voted to let him go.  In two years they never have used him to his strengths so why bother keeping him?  This is a year picking at 30 where Harris makes sense.  It’s not like we are going to get a top flight Edge Rusher at that spot.

 

Yolo, thanks for doing this series.  It’s actually enjoyable to talk about in the off season.  I hope you consider making this a yearly thing in Februaries, as the free agent talk will heats up especially in March, we’ll see lots of releases, then it’s all draft, all the time in April.  
 

Then we just suffer with baseball until it starts again.  Sorry for you guys who like MLB, but for me the only thing worse than baseball is soccer.  Sorry GB and Aussie.  No futbol for me.

Edited February 26, 2021 by machine gun kelly

[Special K]

You can feel bad for Yeldon for not getting many opportunities in his time with the Bills, but don't feel too bad as he made millions of dollars for being a little-used insurance policy for two years....nice work if you can get it!!

 

I think the Bills let him walk, and I think Williams, the RB who showed flashes in the last game of the year vs the Dolphins will get a look at that third RB spot, especially if he can play ST, and if the Bills do not draft a RB.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, YoloinOhio said:

TJ Yeldon is a UFA in 2021. He will turn 28 in October. Drafted 36th overall by the Jags in 2015, the Bills signed him to a 2 year deal in 2019 FA. He spent the majority of these two years inactive on GameDay. He has 1 TD in 2 years. He does not play ST but provides decent depth in the backfield and adds to the passing game.

 

Evidently not someone you want dating your sister 

 

The Bills have voted on this one.  Even when our run game was craptastic, this guy couldn't get on the field.

 

Whether that's due to what they see in practice or to unreasonable coaching prejudice, who knows? but if you aren't gonna use him, lose him.

 

[LABILLBACKER]

16 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

LA, that’s why I voted to let him go.  In two years they never have used him to his strengths so why bother keeping him?  This is a year picking at 30 where Harris makes sense.  It’s not like we are going to get a top flight Edge Rusher at that spot.

It's just frustrating for players like Yeldon, McKenzie and even Duke Williams. If your intent is to never play these guys stop stringing them along and cut them loose. And you're right, I just don't see an elite pass rusher worthy of that 30 pick. Maybe Basham falls to the 2nd round?

[Buftex]

7 minutes ago, Special K said:

You can feel bad for Yeldon for not getting many opportunities in his time with the Bills, but don't feel too bad as he made millions of dollars for being a little-used insurance policy for two years....nice work if you can get it!!

 

I think the Bills let him walk, and I think Williams, the RB who showed flashes in the last game of the year vs the Dolphins will get a look at that third RB spot, especially if he can play ST, and if the Bills do not draft a RB.

Not sure if anyone is "feeling bad" for Yeldon...just wondering why he didn't get used much in 2020.  He played well with the few chances he had.  And, he had a size advantage over Singletary and Moss. 

[Maybe Someday]

I can’t see why he’d even want to resign with us. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

0% chance he is re-signed.
 

I think the better 3rd RB is a Rex Burkhead or James White, who could take over for both Yeldon and Taiwan Jones— and catch a lot of balls and play ST. 

[Buftex]

10 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

The Bills have voted on this one.  Even when our run game was craptastic, this guy couldn't get on the field.

 

Whether that's due to what they see in practice or to unreasonable coaching prejudice, who knows? but if you aren't gonna use him, lose him.

 

I have been wathcing football long enough to know that the best players are not always on the field...even with the best coaching staffs.

[RyanC883]

why was he not played more?   maddening.  

[Special K]

2 hours ago, Buftex said:

Not sure if anyone is "feeling bad" for Yeldon...just wondering why he didn't get used much in 2020.  He played well with the few chances he had.  And, he had a size advantage over Singletary and Moss. 

 

I would have liked to see him active as the third RB, but this coaching staff expects its RB3 to play special teams, so Taiwan Jones got the nod over Yeldon....not sure if I agree with their strategy, but it is what it is.

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

4 hours ago, Maybe Someday said:

I can’t see why he’d even want to resign with us. 

His uniform stays clean and 'laundry fresh'? 🤔

[davefan66]

Based on his lack of playing, and that he was a 2 million dollar cap hit, expect him to be gone.

 

I see us drafting a RB unless we land one through FA.  I’d prefer a RB1 if Beane can get one in the 2nd round.  If not, backup through the daft at rookie minimum.  

[H2o]

They won't offer him a contract. He should have been used more, but it is what it is. He'll land a backup gig somewhere. Adios TJ. 

[Buddo]

He's not being used, so there's little to no point keeping him.

 

Tbh, I think he has been very under-used in his time here, and I don't see that changing going forward.

 

No idea why that should have been the case, but it is what it is.

 

While there isn't likely to be much of a market for his services, at least he will have more chance of getting playing time if he can sign elsewhere, as I think he's a better player than we have given him the chance to show.

[Beast]

I don’t think Yeldon wants to be back anyway. He probably wants some NFL game day memories before he retires.

[oldmanfan]

He’s gone.  I don’t see interest from either side in staying.