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5 Buffalo Bills with plenty to gain in training camp

By Avery Duncan

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball on a 26-yard touchdown play in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 23: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball on a 26-yard touchdown play in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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BUFFALO, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the start of NFL game action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field on November 25, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY – NOVEMBER 25: Jason Croom #80 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before the start of NFL game action against the Jacksonville Jaguars at New Era Field on November 25, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

2. Jason Croom – TE

The Bills’ off-season didn’t exactly contain a vote of confidence for tight end Jason Croom. Outside of the undrafted market, the team added four tight ends to the roster: free agency signings Tyler Kroft and Lee Smith and draftees Dawson Knox (third-round) and Tommy Sweeney (seventh).

Considering that NFL teams rarely bring over four tight ends on the 53-man roster, and three out of the four previously mentioned are near locks, Croom has a job in Buffalo to gain. As he currently stands, the former Tennessee Vol is the only tight end on the Bills’ roster to play for the team last year — a testament to the overhaul at the position.

Croom is a talented tight end who formerly played wide receiver. As is the nature of a position convert, a developmental period can often be prolonged. Now, Croom is entering his third year doing so and must impress mightily to beat out Sweeney for the fourth spot on the roster.

Croom spent his rookie season on the Bills’ practice squad, then elevated to the NFL gridiron in year two. He looked the part of a former receiver, as he caught 22 catches (62.9% catch rate) for 259 yards and a score. But, playing tight end isn’t just about catching the ball; Croom struggled as a blocker. If he wants to make the roster for a second time, he needs to show improvement in that area as well as a continuation of the honing of his receiving craft in training camp.

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