Taking a closer look at the Buffalo Bills’ Tight End Position

The Buffalo Bills tight end position is intriguing, as it includes just one player with quality NFL experience, surrounded by several prove-it players.

The Buffalo Bills are entering 2017 with very little change to the tight end position. The only real difference is last year’s backup tight end, Chris Gragg, is no longer on the roster — meaning the Bills will rely on the other tight ends on the roster to produce.

Charles Clay will continue to be the starting tight end in new offensive co-coordinator Rick Dennison’s system.

Tight ends on the roster

• Charles Clay
• Nick O’Leary
• Blake Annen
• Logan Thomas
• Keith Towbridge
• Jason Croom (Nothing more than a camp body)

Charles Clay

To say Charles Clay’s career in Buffalo has been anything but eventful would be understating it. His time with the Bills has been full of ups and downs, key plays and then injuries keeping him out.

At the same time, when the Buffalo Bills signed Clay from the Dolphins, he immediately filled a need left by Scott Chandler.

Even with a new coach and offensive coordinator, Clay will still come in and be the starting tight end and be a big part of the Bills offense. Last season with the Bills, he caught 57 passes for 552 yards and four touchdowns.

The question on Clay is how long in he has left in Buffalo, as his salary may make him a cap casualty in the coming seasons.

Charles Clay Role: Starting Tight End

Nick O’Leary

All of a sudden with Chris Gragg not being re-signed, Nick O’Leary will be the projected backup tight end. O’Leary’s time with the Bills has been weird to say the least. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2015 draft and has been on and off the roster for some time. .

In his two-year career with Buffalo, O’Leary has caught 10 passes for 151 yards and is still looking for his first touchdown. O’Leary is mainly known for his blocking, more than his receiving. He will be a valuable blocker on a team that needs it.

Just creating lanes for McCoy will leave McDermott happy with his play.

Nick O’Leary’s Role: Backup Tight End

Blake Annen

Annen will come into training camp and be immediately thrown into competition. The first part of the competition will be with Logan Thomas for the 3rd string tight end position and then with O’Leary for perhaps backup the backup role.

Annen is very similar to O’Leary, given he is a blocking tight end, which is something the Buffalo Bills want with their offense. In his career, Annen has bounced around team to team, but this may be his best shot at making a NFL 53-man roster.

Blake Annen Role: 3rd string tight end or cut

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Logan Thomas

Like mentioned above with Annen, Thomas will have competition to make this roster with Annen. And yes, Thomas is very new to the position as he is a former quarterback . He was drafted in the fourth round, but failed to make an NFL roster.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end is an immediate red zone target. A big body will help Thomas against smaller defenders, but will still need work done to show he can be an NFL tight end. He is still a very interesting project.

Logan Thomas Role: 3rd String Tight End or Cut

Keith Towbridge

Towbridge is an interesting player. At 6-foot-5, he can add size to the Bills tight end position. The undrafted free agent is a very good blocker, who didn’t show much pass catching abilities in college.

He only caught 21 passes in his college career at Louisville, but will have a shot at making this roster as a blocker. Along with being a blocker, Towbridge will need to show he can contribute on special team coverage as well.

Keith Towbridge Role: Cut/Practice Squad

Next: Taking a closer look at the Bills' RB and FB positions

What do you make of the Buffalo Bills‘ tight ends this season? Leave your thoughts below!