Rd 7, Pick 221: OT Travis Clayton

[The Jokeman]

Just now, JimBob2232 said:

How does this work - will he not take up a roster slot?

If he makes the 53 yes, if he's on the PS no we get an extra PS spot. 

[stevestojan]

He’s never played a single snap of American football. Interesting. 

[All_Pro_Bills]

Thinking outside the box, f he can catch a Rugby ball he can catch a football.  Put him out wide at the goal line for the fade againt one of those 5 10 180 lb corners and go get the ball. 

[Poleshifter]

15 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Not for nothing, but I feel like the majority of picks spent on the International Pathways players are just wasted picks. 

RB Christian Wade had to wait for his blockers to be BEHIND him. 

 

I don't see that as a problem for a OG/OT. Perhaps we can give this guy a chance before dismissing him.

 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

I don’t want a guy that has never played football before. I often wonder how a guy like that can even get considered. Regardless, if you insist on getting an outside the box guy like that…a freak athlete that is huge and can run…don’t waste him on the Oline. Make him a FB/Hback or TE. Do something with him that uses that unique skill set. Don’t take a guy that’s impossible to tackle and put him on the Oline.

Edited April 27 by Brianmoorman4jesus

[LeGOATski]

We could turn him into the best run blocking WR the game has ever seen.

[Tim Tindale]

13 minutes ago, JDubya76 said:

Can you imagine with old kickoff rules, this guy coming at you with a 40 yard run up?

Like a more refined Waterboy. 

[LeGOATski]

1 minute ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I don’t want a guy that has never played football before. I often wonder how a guy like tat can even get considered. Regardless, if you insist on getting an outside the box guy like that…a freak athlete that is huge and can run…don’t waste him on the Oline. Make him a FB/Hback or TE. Do something with him that uses that unique skill set. Don’t take a guy that’s impossible to tackle and put him on the Oline.

Blocking TE who occasionally catches a pass. I'm here for it.

[OZBILLS]

Does he have the Mailata in him? Hope so

[BuffaloBillyG]

18 minutes ago, mannc said:

Like Jordan Mailata??

Cool. Now lost off every International Pathway player and judge the success rate on the whole. Or do you also profess that pick 199 is the best pick of any draft because of Tom Brady?

[thewookie1]

We have 3 years to play with an unusual athlete with a sub 5 40 at 300lbs+ at 6’7”

 

He could try to bulk up and be an OL, maybe be a super 6OL set guy. If he can’t bulk up he could be converted to DE and/or FB. As a 7th rounder and a free practice squad spot; I see no negative there

[finn]

15 minutes ago, Aurelius said:

Plenty of 7th rounders are throwaways,  but nice to see an absolute physical specimen that is right now just raw materials.  Guy can move like a tight end at 6’7” 300+.  Kid ran a 4.79 which is incredible and clocked above 20mph as well.  Great type of guy to have on practice squad and develop and see what he can become.  Will need strength and a lot to learn but a good gamble to take this late. 

I wonder if he would be better at tight end. 

[Shaw66]

3 minutes ago, Rockinon said:

Could you imagine this dude in kick off coverage. Who would be willing to block this freight train with a head of steam?

I think this is an important point.   He might actually make the team as a special teamer.   I know that sounds nuts, but think about it for a minute.   Kickoffs are going to be unlike anything we've seen, literally.  Every player, including experienced players, are going to be learning completely new tactics about how make those plays.   So, unlike the rest of the game, Clayton is not going to be as far behind the curve as any ordinary position player.  At least of kickoff coverage.   Even on kickoff receiving, he just won't be as far behind the curve.   

 

Then, if he actually could have role on kickoffs, then you start thinking about about place kicking.   It's not out of the question to teach him to be an interior line blocker.   Not a ton of football complexity there.   Eventually, he might report as eligible on the kick coverage team, and he might be a great threat on fakes.   And it's not out of the question to put him on the kick block team, either.    All stuff he could more quickly than the complexity of playing on the offense or defense.  

 

I just read something that for him to make the practice squad, he has to clear waivers first.   He doesn't get a pass to the practice squad.  I doubt any team would sign him to their 53, sight unseen, but it is a risk.

[BuffaloBillyG]

4 minutes ago, Poleshifter said:

RB Christian Wade had to wait for his blockers to be BEHIND him. 

 

I don't see that as a problem for a OG/OT. Perhaps we can give this guy a chance before dismissing him.

 

Not dismissing him. Anything can happen. But even late picks that have played the sport their whole life, trained and have experience for 15 years have difficulty making a career for themselves. Doing it while trying to learn and train your body at the highest level of the sport adds many new layers of difficulty and unlikeliness. Anything can happen for sure. The road just is a bit tougher.

[Matt_In_NH]

So you have to draft the pathway players?   I thought that was an extra UFA 

[stevewin]

19 minutes ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

 

NFL humping the International angle so much they should throw in a comp pick too

[mannc]

5 minutes ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Cool. Now lost off every International Pathway player and judge the success rate on the whole. Or do you also profess that pick 199 is the best pick of any draft because of Tom Brady?

Interestingly, the guy the Bills drafted has similar measurables to Mailata…

[Taro Nimbus]

Dude is fast for his size!

[Rockinon]

3 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

I think this is an important point.   He might actually make the team as a special teamer.   I know that sounds nuts, but think about it for a minute.   Kickoffs are going to be unlike anything we've seen, literally.  Every player, including experienced players, are going to be learning completely new tactics about how make those plays.   So, unlike the rest of the game, Clayton is not going to be as far behind the curve as any ordinary position player.  At least of kickoff coverage.   Even on kickoff receiving, he just won't be as far behind the curve.   

 

Then, if he actually could have role on kickoffs, then you start thinking about about place kicking.   It's not out of the question to teach him to be an interior line blocker.   Not a ton of football complexity there.   Eventually, he might report as eligible on the kick coverage team, and he might be a great threat on fakes.   And it's not out of the question to put him on the kick block team, either.    All stuff he could more quickly than the complexity of playing on the offense or defense.  

 

I just read something that for him to make the practice squad, he has to clear waivers first.   He doesn't get a pass to the practice squad.  I doubt any team would sign him to their 53, sight unseen, but it is a risk.

Just being able to run that fast at his size is proof that he is all ready an athlete. Raw as you are going to get, but there are things he can do. I agree. Maybe he surprises and becomes a great offensive tackle. Someone with that size and moves like that is rare. It could happen. Not likely but still possible. He has a tough road to proving himself but just getting the opportunity can be transformative.

[Gunney]

Think of all the extra Bills merchandise that will be sold in Basingstoke, England (pop. 120,000).