The Buffalo Bills improved their preseason record to 1-1 after a 9-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Saturday. A good reason for the victory comes courtesy of some standout rookie play. Of these four rookies, one stood out in the most positive way, and this particular rookie was an undrafted free agent. With that, we take a look at four rookies that are playing like full-time starters.
RB Ray Davis
Davis, a fourth round rookie running back out of Kentucky, certainly made some splash plays that consisted of hitting the hole the offensive line provided and not stopping at first contact. Davis' night consisted of 8 carries for 58 yards (7.25 yards per carry), which was the best stat line for any ball carrier of the night on either team. The common consensus for every Bills fan and analyst says that Davis is going to be the Robin to James Cook's Batman, but Davis could have a bigger role on this team before the end of the season. Especially if he continues these great plays on the ground and as a pass protector.
DE Javon Solomon
The day three draft pick out of Troy continues to flash in the preseason. Solomon has been getting successful run with the starters in both pre-season games thus far, and has shown great growth in his pass rush productivity. Solomon didn't fill out the stat sheet (2 tackles, both assisted, no solo) but he made his presence known by both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Solomon got around his man and had a pressure that lead to an incomplete pass. Along with his flashes on the defensive line, he had some flashes on special teams as well, getting at least one tackle. Even though Solomon probably won't be a starter, he's shown enough prowess that could potentially force his way up the depth chart.
CB Daequan Hardy
Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane had the idea in mind for Hardy to be a return specialist. Although he did well at Penn State as a punt returner, he also was a pretty good slot corner. Through two preseason games, not only is Hardy taking a lot of reps at both kick and punt return, but he's also taking snaps at outside corner. Even though being a boundary corner wasn't something that Hardy did very much in college if at all, he is definitely rising to the occasion at the NFL level. With how well he has been doing in the pre-season, he almost seems like a lock at both returner and a jack-of-all-trades depth corner.
LB Joe Andreessen
The local undrafted talent from the University of Buffalo came out of nowhere. As Josh Allen and the rest of the Buffalo Bills have affectionately called him "Buffalo Joe", Andreessen sure did embody Buffalo in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Andreessen was flying all over the field, so much so that nearly every play on defense he was making the tackle or just right there. Andreessen led all Bills tacklers with 12 tackles (7 solo, 5 assists) and also had 2 tackles for loss as well.
With the injury to Matt Milano and also McDermott not starting Terrel Bernard this game, there had to be another linebacker opposite of Dorian Williams. McDermott could have easily leaned into the veteran in Deion Jones, but decided to give the local kid a chance. Andreessen rose to the occasion and then some. With how well Andreessen played, and with the growing injuries at the linebacker position, he could easily fight his way onto the roster and be the first linebacker in behind Bernard and Williams. Especially if he performs well again in the next and final preseason game against Carolina.