BuffaLowDown
Fansided

Buffalo Bills: Breaking down UDFA signings under Brandon Beane

By Caleb Holfoth

Dec 7, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) is hit by Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) as he throws a pass during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Nick Mullens (4) is hit by Buffalo Bills cornerback Levi Wallace (39) as he throws a pass during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Buffalo Bills
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 03: Antonio Williams #35 of the Buffalo Bills rushes past Byron Jones #24 of the Miami Dolphins at Bills Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

2020 Undrafted Free Agents

Undrafted Signings: RB Antonio Williams, FB/TE Reggie Gilliam, OT Trey Adams, OT Brandon Walton, G Marquel Harrell, CB Ike Brown, S Josh Thomas, S Garrett Taylor

Still with Buffalo: Antonio Williams, Reggie Gilliams, Josh Thomas

Still in the NFL:  OT Brandon Walton (Steelers)

Antonio Williams was a fan favorite of Bills Mafia. Williams got an opportunity to make a cameo in week 17 against the Miami Dolphins in a game that meant nothing to Buffalo. Williams made the most of his opportunity running for 63 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 12 carries. While it was just a cameo Williams looked like a legit NFL running back with a hard-running style. Williams does have an uphill climb with the Bills signing Matt Breida and potentially not being done adding running backs before training camp. 

Reggie Gilliam was a Fullback/H-back coming into training camp last season. During training camp, Gilliam transitioned to tight end and played a reserve tight end/H-back role for Buffalo while being an important special teams player. Gilliam had two catches for 16 yards and one touchdown during the season. However, Gilliam was a huge contributor on special teams playing almost 150 snaps and forcing a fumble. Gilliam had only 81 offensive snaps in 2020 but with Tyler Kroft and Lee Smith both gone that number could increase significantly in his second season.

Josh Thomas spent nearly all season on the Bills practice squad. Called up for two games and not having a preseason Thomas’ skill level and ability are the most unknown of any undrafted player still on the Bills. Thomas came from Appalachian State where he was a two-time captain.

With over 45 college games to go along with seven interceptions and 163 tackles, Thomas is a player who could sneak onto the roster with a good training camp. Thomas could have been a late-round pick too many but due to the COVID-19 pandemic was not able to show his skills at the combine or a Pro Day leaving his ability largely unknown. Thomas has a real chance to make the roster which you can read more about here.

Beane only brought in eight undrafted free agents. Three of them were a part of the Buffalo Bills in 2020. Two players retired (Trey Adams and Ike Brown), Brandon Walton who spent all of 2020 on the Steelers practice squad, and two players who did not make it past their first training camp. A pretty solid haul from Beane if you consider that both players who retired were capable of making it. into the league. Walton has not shown much so far but this class is young and had to endure the COVID year of the NFL making it harder for them to have an impact.

Home/Bills Draft