The Next Ryan Bates.

[BigAl2526]

We all know his story.   Undrafted free agent out of Penn State who stuck on Buffalo's practice squad because of his athleticism and versatility until he developed, finally gaining a starting guard job later in the season last year and improving the offensive line by his presence.  Buffalo looks for players like that, young free agents with athleticism, potential and great attitude that they can develop for the future.  The reason is obvious.  You can't draft enough players to fill every role you need filled, and quality veteran free agents are too expensive to sign more than a limited number.

 

The Bills have signed a young undrafted free agent who may be able to follow a similar path to the one Ryan Bates has followed.  He is Derek Kerstetter, an offensive lineman out of Texas.  He played every position on the offensive line at Texas except left tackle, starting a decent number of games.  He tested well at his pro day with good strength and athleticism.  He's tall enough at 6'5" and has long enough arms for the tackle position but he's not so tall that it's hard for him to get low on the inside.  He's got deficiencies in his game that will keep him from winning a roster spot this season, but there is some potential to develop. 

 

Nice article in Buffalo Rumblings

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/7/9/23196554/90-buffalo-bills-players-in-90-days-tackle-derek-kerstetter

[Doc]

I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates.

[Warcodered]

4 minutes ago, Doc said:

I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates.

There's also this guy.

 

 

[Doc]

Hopefully they all are.

[Logic]

If we’re talking strictly offensive linemen, then the candidates have all already been listed in this thread.

 

If we’re talking UDFAs with versatility who make the 53 man roster and work their way into a starting spot over time in general, regardless of position, I pick Nick McCloud. It sounds like he has been impressing at both corner and safety — with Jordan Poyer even saying that McCloud reminded him of himself when he was younger — and after he was plucked off the practice squad last year, the Bills may not want to risk losing him again.

[Fan in Chicago]

I am more interested in the next Dawkins or Morse

[machine gun kelly]

1 hour ago, BigAl2526 said:

We all know his story.   Undrafted free agent out of Penn State who stuck on Buffalo's practice squad because of his athleticism and versatility until he developed, finally gaining a starting guard job later in the season last year and improving the offensive line by his presence.  Buffalo looks for players like that, young free agents with athleticism, potential and great attitude that they can develop for the future.  The reason is obvious.  You can't draft enough players to fill every role you need filled, and quality veteran free agents are too expensive to sign more than a limited number.

 

The Bills have signed a young undrafted free agent who may be able to follow a similar path to the one Ryan Bates has followed.  He is Derek Kerstetter, an offensive lineman out of Texas.  He played every position on the offensive line at Texas except left tackle, starting a decent number of games.  He tested well at his pro day with good strength and athleticism.  He's tall enough at 6'5" and has long enough arms for the tackle position but he's not so tall that it's hard for him to get low on the inside.  He's got deficiencies in his game that will keep him from winning a roster spot this season, but there is some potential to develop. 

 

Nice article in Buffalo Rumblings

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/7/9/23196554/90-buffalo-bills-players-in-90-days-tackle-derek-kerstetter

Its a good question Big Al, but guesses now is like throwing darts blindfolded.  All subsequent replies will be WAG’s. 
 

Its a good question though and I trust our coaches will develop at least one UDFA and will be somewhere eventually on our team even if it’s a ST guy.

[Albany,n.y.]

Bates was never on a practice squad.  

[Rocky Landing]

7 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Bates was never on a practice squad.  

Maybe he could be the next Ike Boettger?

[Mr. WEO]

Who was the last Ryan Bates?

[uticaclub]

59 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said:

I am more interested in the next Dawkins or Morse

2nd round draft picks?

[Albany,n.y.]

16 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Maybe he could be the next Ike Boettger?

Boettger wasn't on the practice squad either. 

11 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

Who was the last Ryan Bates?

Ryan Bates

[Your Brown Eye]

There was a video of him bench pressing a station wagon on youtube a while back

[John from Riverside]

We have a good start and actually having a decent ol coach

[Mr. WEO]

1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said:

Boettger wasn't on the practice squad either. 

Ryan Bates

 

So that would make it 3 Ryan Bateses in a row?

 

His legend is ever growing....

[Robert Paulson]

You mean Rick Bates?

[Freddie's Dead]

4 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

You mean Rick Bates?

 

You beat me to it.

[Fan in Chicago]

3 hours ago, uticaclub said:

2nd round draft picks?

Stellar performers on the OL 

[Dr.Sack]

Can Tommy Doyle step in? The 2nd line active roster depth is equally important. It’s great developing guys for beyond the current season, but I also have high expectations in Beane & Co to find guys who can step in and provide immediate impact. I see the beating both OL & DL take as the highest importance.

[gobills404]

11 hours ago, Doc said:

I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates.

That’s who I thought this thread was gonna be about

 

11 hours ago, Warcodered said:

There's also this guy.

 

 

He seems like he’d be a great personality in the locker room but I’m not holding my breath