5 Buffalo Bills on roster bubble who helped themselves against the Lions
These are five players that helped their chances at making the Buffalo Bills roster with their performance against the Detroit Lions
The Buffalo Bills kicked off the preseason with a come-from-behind victory over the Detroit Lions by the final score of 16-15. While the score may not matter, the coaching staff got a chance to see a number of players on the backend of the roster fighting for roster spots step up.
When looking at the Buffalo Bills, these players may still have a long way to go to earn a spot on the Buffalo Bills 53-man roster but their performance on Friday night was a step in the right direction for them. Let’s start with a player the Bills traded for right before the start of last season.
Andre Smith
Last year, Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott went back to their Carolina Panthers background when they traded for linebacker Andre Smith. The former 2018 seventh round pick by the Panthers was acquired due in large part to his play on special teams. This was where he made most of his impact last season after playing 48% of the special teams snaps in 2020.
However, this season Andre Smith is trying to show he can contribute more than just on special teams. In the game against the Detroit Lions, Smith had six solo tackles (eight total tackles), and one tackle for a loss.
On Monday, Leslie Frazier spoke about Andre Smith and described a player who not only is a core special teamer but someone who can play inside and out as Chris Brown with the Buffalo Bills tweeted.
Frazier on LB Andre Smith who stood out Friday night: he’s a core special teamer too. That piqued our interest but his flexibility of being able to plat inside and outside at LB. He’s a guy who can fill a number of roles. #Bills
— Chris Brown (@ChrisBrownBills) August 16, 2021
For any player trying to make a roster, when you can bring that kind of versatility and help in multiple ways, it only helps your chances. Andre Smith is one who may have been considered a long-shot to make the roster but has certainly helped his chances.