Meet the newcomers at Bills Training Camp
Joe Banyard. Position: Running back. College: Texas El-Paso. Age: 28. Height: 5-foot-10. Weight: 221 pounds. Experience: Fifth season. Statistics: 24 games, 23 carries, 95 yards, 10 catches, 73 yards. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Banyard will compete for a reserve job behind LeSean McCoy. In all likelihood, that will be the No. 3 job, provided second-year veteran Jonathan Williams fills the No. 2 role.
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Carl Bradford. Position: Linebacker. College: Arizona State. Age: 24. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 248 pounds. Experience: Third season. Statistics: Six games, five tackles. Where he came from: Free agent from 49ers. How he fits: Bradford was cut loose by the 49ers after they went through a front-office change. Heu2019ll compete for a reserve job at weak-side linebacker and will need to make his mark on special teams.
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Philly Brown. Position: Wide receiver. College: Ohio State. Age: 25. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 213 pounds. Experience: Fourth season. Statistics: 43 games, 79 catches, 1,019 yards, 7 TDs. Where he came from: Free agent from Panthers. How he fits: Brown figures to compete for the No. 3 receiver role. Given his size, he might fit best in the slot. Heu2019s a known commodity to coach Sean McDermott after the two were together in Carolina.
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Jeremy Butler. Position: Wide receiver. College: Tennessee-Martin. Age: 26. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 248 pounds. Experience: Third season. Statistics: 12 games, 33 catches, 374 yards. Where he came from: Free agent from Chargers. How he fits: Butler had 31 catches with the Ravens in 2015, but then made just two catches with the Chargers in 2016. Heu2019ll compete for one of the final roster spots at wide receiver, and will need to show his worth on special teams.
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Jason Croom (18). Position: Tight end. College: Tennessee. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 246 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 39 games, 60 catches, 816 yards, 6 TDs. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: The race for backup tight ends is wide open behind starter Charles Clay, so Croom has an outside chance at the 53-man roster. More likely, however, would be a spot on the practice squad while he develops.
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Ryan Davis (59). Position: Defensive end. College: Bethune-Cookman. Age: 28. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 260 pounds. Experience: Sixth season. Statistics: 47 games, 38 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles, one interception. Where he came from: Free agent from Cowboys. How he fits: Davis figures to be the primary backup at defensive end behind Jerry Hughes and Shaq Lawson. Heu2019s the only player at the position among the projected backups with any meaningful experience.
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Dion Dawkins. Position: Offensive tackle. College: Temple. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 314 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 44 games, 41 starts. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, second round. How he fits: Dawkins lined up as the starter at left tackle throughout the spring. Heu2019s expected to switch to the right side and compete with Jordan Mills for the starting job with Cordy Glenn back on the left.
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Patrick DiMarco. Position: Fullback. College: South Carolina. Age: 28. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 237. Experience: Sixth season. Statistics: 67 games, 37 catches, 273 yards, 4 TDs. Where he came from: Free agent from Falcons. How he fits: DiMarco figures to give the Bills a receiving threat out of the backfield in addition to being LeSean McCoyu2019s new lead blocker. Expect him to be a starter, although his usage will vary from week to week.
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Vlad Ducasse. Position: Guard. College: UMass. Age: 29. Height: 6-foot-5. Weight: 329 pounds. Experience: Eighth season. Statistics: 89 games, 30 starts. Where he came from: Free agent from Ravens. How he fits: Ducasse split first-team reps with John Miller at right guard during the spring. That was an unexpected development, but shows how much the Billsu2019 new coaching staff thinks of him.
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Trae Elston. Position: Safety. College: Mississippi. Age: 23. Height: 5-foot-11. Weight: 193. Experience: First season. Statistics: Spent 2016 with Cleveland, but did not appear in any games. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Elston will compete for the fourth safety job behind projected starters Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, as well as special teams ace Colt Anderson, who figures to be the No. 3 safety.
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Anthony Harrell (48). Position: Linebacker. College: Florida. Age: 24. Height 6-foot-2. Weight: 229 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 47 games, 57 tackles, one forced fumble. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: It would be a shock if Harrell was anything more than a camp body. He didnu2019t play anywhere in 2016 and will be buried on the linebacker depth chart when practices start.
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Stephen Hauschka. Position: Kicker. College: North Carolina State. Age: 32. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 210 pounds. Experience: 10th season. Statistics: 117 games, 191 of 219 field goals (87.2 percent), 271 of 284 extra points. Where he came from: Free agent from Seahawks. How he fits: Hauschka was signed to replace Dan Carpenter as the teamu2019s primary kicker. It would be a shock if he were beat out for that job, but the Bills do have some competition in camp with Austin Rehkow.
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Gerald Hodges. Position: Linebacker. College: Penn State. Age: 26. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 236 pounds. Experience: Fifth season. Statistics: 54 games, 224 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 10 passes defensed, three interceptions. Where he came from: Free agent from 49ers. How he fits: Hodges has the speed to play weak-side linebacker in the 4-3 scheme the Bills plan to run. He signed late in free agency and has ground to make up in the race for playing time.
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Andre Holmes. Position: Wide receiver. College: Hillsdale. Age: 29. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 210 pounds. Experience: Sixth season. Statistics: 65 games, 102 catches, 1,462 yards, 12 TDs. Where he came from: Free agent from Raiders. How he fits: Holmes had a strong spring and gave himself the inside track to the No. 3 receiver job, often earning the praise of coach Sean McDermott. His size should make him a threat in the red zone.
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Micah Hyde. Position: Safety. College: Iowa. Age: 26. Height: 6-foot-0. Weight: 197 pounds. Experience: Fifth season. Statistics: 63 games, 227 tackles, four sacks, eight interceptions, five fumble recoveries. Where he came from: Free agent from Packers. How he fits: Hyde is a sure-fire starter who has been looked at as a leader almost from the minute the Bills signed him. Heu2019ll be a key member of the defense in every way.
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Charles James (31). Position: Cornerback. College: Charleston Southern. Age: 27. Height: 5-foot-9. Weight: 186 pounds. Experience: Fourth season. Statistics: 34 games, 43 tackles, two passes defensed. Where he came from: Free agent from Colts. How he fits: A former star on u201cHard Knocks,u201d James faces an uphill battle to win a roster spot at what looks to be a crowded cornerbacks room. Heu2019ll need to show he can contribute on special teams to earn a spot.
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Cameron Jefferson. Position: Offensive tackle. College: Arkansas. Age: 25. Height: 6-foot-5. Weight: 317 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 42 games, 34 starts. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Jefferson was on the Broncosu2019 practice squad when they won the Super Bowl in 2015. He was out of football last year and is a long shot to earn a reserve spot on the Billsu2019 offensive line.
Courtesy Denver Broncos
Jordan Johnson. Position: Running back. College: Buffalo. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 220 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 33 games, 446 carries, 2,212 yards, 19 TDs. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Johnson will compete for the third running back job behind LeSean McCoy and likely Jonathan Williams. His primary competition will be Joe Banyard and Cedric Ou2019Neal.
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Leonard Johnson. Position: Cornerback. College: Iowa State. Age: 27. Height: 5-foot-10. Weight: 194. Experience: Sixth season. Statistics: 62 games, 189 tackles, 24 passes defensed, five interceptions. Where he came from: Free agent from Panthers. How he fits: Johnson, who is a favorite of coach Sean McDermott, lined up with the starters as the nickel cornerback throughout the spring. Heu2019ll compete with Kevon Seymour for that job.
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Zay Jones (7). Position: Wide receiver. College: East Carolina. Age: 22. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 200 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 50 games, 399 catches, 4,279 yards, 23 TDs. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, second round. How he fits: Jones will get the first chance to replace Robert Woods as the No. 2 receiver. He should get plenty of work early at camp, especially if Sammy Watkins is limited coming back from foot surgery.
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Marquavius Lewis (8). Position: Defensive end. College: South Carolina. Age: 24. Height: 6-foot-3. Weight: 270 pounds. Experience: Rookie. Statistics: 24 games, 93 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Lewis will be part of the competition to earn the fourth defensive end job, which looks to be wide open.
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Jacob Lindsey. Position: Linebacker. College: Harvard. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 220 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 30 games, 185 tackles, five forced fumbles. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Lindsey got plenty of work during the spring at middle linebacker with the second unit with Reggie Ragland out. Unless thereu2019s an injury in camp, he will be a roster long shot.
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Abner Logan. Position: Linebacker. College: Albany. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 235 pounds. Experience: Rookie. Statistics: 11 games, 96 tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Signed following a tryout at rookie minicamp, Logan played one season at Albany after transferring from Maryland. He faces long odds to make the roster or practice squad.
Courtesy Albany athletics
Greg Mabin (13). Position: Cornerback. College: Iowa. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 200 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 36 games, 144 tackles, 19 passes defensed, three interceptions. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Mabin converted to cornerback from wide receiver in 2013, so heu2019s still green. His best hope is to land a spot on the practice squad to continue that development.
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Jake Metz. Position: Defensive end. College: Shippensburg. Age: 26. Height: 6-foot-7. Weight: 265 pounds. Experience: First season. Statistics: None. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: The Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Arena Football League in 2016, Metz will compete for the fourth defensive end spot on the roster.
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Matt Milano (28). Position: Linebacker. College: Boston College. Age: 22. Height: 6-foot-0. Weight: 223 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 50 games, 141 tackles, 31.5 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, fifth round. How he fits: Milano could challenge for the staring weak-side linebacker job currently held by Ramon Humber, but itu2019s more likely he starts his career as a reserve with a big role on special teams.
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Jordan Mudge. Position: Offensive line. College: Nevada. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 300 pounds. Experience: First season. Statistics: None. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Mudge played for Nevada way back in 2010-11 and since that time has played in the Arena League. He deserves credit for continuing to chase the dream, but is unlikely to realize it with the Bills.
Courtesy Nevada athletics
Cedric Ou2019Neal. Position: Running back. College: Valdosta State. Age: 23. Height: 5-foot-10. Weight: 215 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 48 games, 4,115 yards, 48 TDs. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Ou2019Neal took the early lead in the race for the third running back job during the spring. Heu2019s the all-time rushing leader in yards and touchdowns at Valdosta State.
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Nathan Peterman. Position: Quarterback. College: Pitt. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 226 pounds. Experience: Rookie. Statistics: 26 games, 61.1 completion percentage, 5,142 yards, 47 TDs, 15 INTs. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, fifth round. How he fits: Peterman will challenge Cardale Jones for the third-string quarterback job, and itu2019s not out of the question that he pushes T.J. Yates to be the backup to Tyrod Taylor.
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Jordan Poyer. Position: Safety. College: Oregon State. Age: 26. Height: 6-foot-0. Weight: 191 pounds. Experience: Fifth season. Statistics: 48 games, 124 tackles, six passes defensed, two interceptions. Where he came from: Free agent from Browns. How he fits: Poyer will start next to Micah Hyde in the retooled Buffalo secondary. He played in just six games last year because of a scary injury, but is back to 100 percent.
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Greg Pyke (73). Position: Guard. College: Georgia. Age: 24. Height: 6-foot-6. Weight: 325 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 27 games. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Pyke has an NFL size, but faces long odds to crack the 53-man roster at what might be the deepest position on the Bills. A spot on the practice squad would be an accomplishment.
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Austin Rehkow. Position: Punter. College: Idaho. Age: 22. Height: 6-foot-3. Weight: 213 pounds. Experience: Rookie. Statistics: 48 games, 224 punts, 45.8-yard gross average, 70 of 92 field goals. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Signed primarily to be competition for Colton Schmidt, Rehkow got a surprising amount of work on field goals in the spring. He can also kick off, making him versatile enough that he could push for a roster spot.
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Brandon Reilly (87). Position: Wide receiver. College: Nebraska. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 200 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 41 games, 70 catches, 1,275 yards, 6 TDs. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Reilly is in a crowded competition for one of the final two spots at wide receiver. Given the amount of reps he can expect, a spot on the practice squad would be a realistic goal.
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Rashad Ross. Position: Wide receiver. College: Arizona State. Age: 27. Height: 6-foot-0. Weight: 180 pounds. Experience: Fourth season. Statistics: 20 games, nine catches, 192 yards, 1 TD. Where he came from: Free agent from Redskins. How he fits: Ross will primarily compete with Brandon Tate to be the teamu2019s primary kick return man. Heu2019s averaged 23.9 yards per return on 34 career attempts, with one touchdown.
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B.T. Sanders. Position: Safety. College: Nicholls State. Age: 22. Height: 6-foot-0. Weight: 195 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 43 games, 254 tackles, three interceptions, four forced fumbles. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Sanders is well down on the depth chart, but heu2019ll get a chance to earn the fourth safety job, which is wide open.
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Wes Saxton. Position: Tight end. College: South Alabama. Age: 23. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 235 pounds. Experience: First season. Statistics: One NFL game played. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Saxton was hyped up by draft gurus coming out of South Alabama in 2015, but it hasnu2019t translated to success at the pro level. Heu2019s likely competing with Logan Thomas for the third tight end job.
Courtesy New York Jets
Marcus Sayles. Position: Cornerback. College: West Georgia. Age: 22. Height: 5-foot-10. Weight: 175 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 47 games, 12 interceptions, 36 passes defensed, 13 blocked kicks. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: A small-school prospect, Sayles set a program record in college with 13 blocked kicks, which is a good sign he may be able to contribute on special teams. His best hope is to land a spot on the practice squad to develop.
Courtesy West Georgia athletics
Ian Seau. Position: Defensive end. College: Nevada. Age: 24. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 250 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 37 games, 100 tackles, 17.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Seau, the nephew of late Chargers Hall of Famer Junior Seau, has experience with Bills defensive line coach Mike Waufle from last season with the Rams. That could help him in his push for a depth spot at defensive end.
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Daikiel Shorts. Position: Wide receiver. College: West Virginia. Age: 22. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 202 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 51 games, 177 catches, 2,263 yards, 14 TDs. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Shorts will compete for one of the last spots at wide receiver. That particular spot on the roster demands special teams ability. His best hope might be to land a spot on the practice squad to develop.
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Rod Streater. Position: Wide receiver. College: Temple. Age: 29. Height: 6-foot-3. Weight: 200 pounds. Experience: Sixth season. Statistics: 52 games, 127 catches, 1,755 yards, 10 TDs. Where he came from: Free agent from Raiders. How he fits: Streater had an 888-yard season with the Raiders in 2013, but hasnu2019t been able to come close to that level the last three years. Heu2019s part of a crowded depth chart at receiver competing for one or two jobs.
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Bradley Sylve (3). Position: Cornerback. College: Alabama. Height: 5-foot-11. Weight: 180 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 15 games, 40 tackles, seven passes defensed. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Sylve has track star speed, and has been clocked as fast as 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Heu2019s coming back from a torn Achilles suffered at Alabamau2019s Pro Day in 2016. Heu2019s most likely competing for a spot on the practice squad.
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Mike Tolbert. Position: Running back. College: Coastal Carolina. Age: 31. Height: 5-foot-9. Weight: 250 pounds. Experience: 10th season. Statistics: 131 games, 630 carries, 2,402 yards, 33 TDs, 203 catches, 1,783 yards. Where he came from: Free agent from Panthers. How he fits: Good question. It remains to be seen whether the Bills will use Tolbert more as a running back or fullback. Either way, expect him to be a third-down specialist and pass blocker.
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Keith Towbridge (89). Position: Tight end. College: Louisville. Height: 6-foot-5. Weight: 262 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 15 games, 21 catches, 283 yards, 3 TDs. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: As his college stats would suggest, Towbridge will have to earn a spot as a blocking tight end. The good news is, suspect depth at tight end gives him at least a decent chance to do that.
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Tanner Vallejo (20). Position: Linebacker. College: Boise State. Height: 6-foot-1. Weight: 228 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 46 games, 277 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, sixth round. How he fits: Vallejo figures to contribute on special teams as a rookie while providing depth at linebacker. Heu2019ll need to stay healthy as his college career was slowed by injuries.
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Zach Voytek. Position: Guard. College: New Haven. Height: 6-foot-5. Weight: 305 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 44 games. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: A Div. II All-American, Voytek is a three-time Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. Heu2019s a supreme long shot to land a spot with the Bills, however.
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Treu2019Davious White. Position: Cornerback. College: LSU. Age: 22. Height: 5-foot-11. Weight: 192 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 49 games, 167 tackles, 34 passes defensed, six interceptions. Where he came from: 2017 NFL Draft, first round. How he fits: Drafted to replace Stephon Gilmore, White looked every bit the part of a future No. 1 cornerback in the spring. He figures to start next to Ronald Darby.
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Nigel Williams. Position: Defensive tackle. College: Virginia Tech. Height: 6-foot-2. Weight: 297 pounds. Experience: Rookie. College statistics: 51 games, 73 tackles, seven sacks. Where he came from: Undrafted free agent. How he fits: Williams is a roster long shot, not because of anything heu2019s done wrong, but rather the depth ahead of him at defensive tackle. A spot on the practice squad would be an accomplishment.
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Shareece Wright. Position: Cornerback. College: Southern Cal. Age: 30. Height: 5-foot-11. Weight: 184 pounds. Experience: Seventh season. Statistics: 67 games, 229 tackles, 31 passes defensed, one interception. Where he came from: Free agent from Ravens. How he fits: Wright, made famous by a Chicago-to-Buffalo Uber ride this offseason, should provide quality veteran depth in his role as the fourth or fifth cornerback.
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Eddie Yarbrough. Position: Linebacker. College: Wyoming. Age: 24. Height: 6-foot-3. Weight: 259 pounds. Experience: First season. College statistics: 47 games, 256 tackles, 21.5 sacks, four forced fumbles. Where he came from: Free agent. How he fits: Yarbrough, who was cut by the Broncos in 2016, was a three-time All-Mountain West selection in college. His best hope is probably to make the practice squad as a potential pass rusher.
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
T.J. Yates. Position: Quarterback. College: North Carolina. Age: 30. Height: 6-foot-4. Weight: 217 pounds. Experience: Ninth season. Statistics: 18 games, 132 of 227, 1,534 yards, 6 TDs, 8 INTs. Where he came from: Free agent from Dolphins. How he fits: Yates will head to training camp penciled in as the backup to Tyrod Taylor. He has a knowledge of offensive coordinator Rick Dennisonu2019s scheme from their time together in Houston.
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Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Jay Skurski breaks down each of the Buffalo Bills’ newcomers heading into 2017 training camp:
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