We recently brought this up as a possibility for the Buffalo Bills selecting a quarterback in the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. I mentioned it on X as well, posting a poll asking Bills Mafia if they would prefer bringing Kyle Allen back, drafting a rookie quarterback or simply signing another free agent to back up Josh Allen.
In regard to the #bills backup QB, should they#BillsMafia
— Papa Ron (@RonnieEastham) February 15, 2024
As of the time of writing this, the difference between a new free agent backup and drafting a rookie backup was only 0.8 percent. I think it's safe to say that no one is a fan of Kyle Allen but I guess maybe I'm the outlier here. For starters, I would prefer drafting a new rookie quarterback in the later rounds. A young QB that you can develop over four years within your offense and on a rookie deal. I think a rookie contract would be cheaper than that of signing another veteran journeyman QB.
But I will also add that if a rookie QB doesn't happen, then just bring Kyle Allen back. I know most fans believe the team is screwed if Josh goes down and we have to rely on a backup but at least with Kyle, you have a player that is experienced within the Bills offense and these players. To me, that is important, and you won't get that by signing another new backup QB off the free agent market.
The Bills still have Shane Buechele on the practice squad too. But look, I want Buffalo to draft a new rookie QB to develop. Another reason is that you just might get lucky and find a gem of a quarterback that turns out can win some games for the Bills. Then, after his four years, you have someone you can trade and get some solid draft assets in return. The NFL Scouting Combine is set to start on February 26th, so here are six QBs that will be in attendance at the combine that all Bills fans should keep an eye on.
Jordan Travis - Florida State
Travis is projected as a fifth-rounder, per NFLdraftbuzz.com, and scored with an overall rating of 81.9, compared to a Pro Football Focus grade of 87.8. In the previous two seasons, he's received PFF grades of 85.2 (2021) and 91.7 (2022). Last season, Travis completed nearly 64% of his passes for 2,756 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. As a runner, he added another seven touchdowns on the season.
The Bills would have to spend a fifth-rounder on him and I'm not sure the Bills want to go that high for their backup quarterback but the long-term potential that Travis offers, could pay dividends if Josh Allen were to go down, plus the added possibility of trading him for draft assets that could outweigh the fifth-round selection.
Joe Milton III - Tennessee
This one is my favorite of all six of these guys. He's about as close to being physically similar to Allen. Milton is 6'5" and weighs 235 pounds. He is rumored to run the 40 in 4.78 seconds. We'll get confirmation of that at the combine but I love what he offers at the quarterback position. The part of his game that isn't talked about enough is his quick release. Per NFLdraftbuzz.com, he has the third fastest release among the draft prospects.
If the Bills brought this young man in, they wouldn't have to alter the offense at all. He has all the tools to be successful and could be a steal in this year's draft. For a fifth-round pick, I'd take the shot on Milton. Last season, he finished with a 64.7 percent completion rate, 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only five picks. He added another 299 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Sam Hartman - Notre Dame
Per NFLDraftbuzz.com, Sam Hartman is currently projected to go in the seventh round. Hartman is 6'1" and weighs 209 pounds and is reported to run a 40 in 4.85 seconds. For some context, Josh Allen ran the 40 in 4.75 seconds at the 2018 combine. Hartman doesn't have a quick release like that of Milton but he can throw the long ball with the best of them.
Coming from Notre Dame gives Hartman that experience against quality opponents too, which means hopefully a smaller learning curve at the NFL level. In 2023, Hartman completed 63.5 percent of his passes, for 2,689 yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. His previous two seasons at Wake Forrest, he threw for nearly 8,000 yards and 77 touchdowns. He has a ton of experience too, playing a total of 4,040 snaps.
Kedon Slovis - BYU
Kedon Slovis is 6'2" and weighs 214 pounds. He also brings a 4.73 40 to the field. Slovis is being projected as an undrafted free agent by NFLDraftbuzz.com, so the Bills could likely bring him in on a free agent deal, rather than spending a draft pick on him. Slovis played for three different schools in his five-year collegiate career. His first three with USC, followed by Pittsburgh and finishing with BYU.
In 2019 with USC, Slovis had a remarkable season. Completing nearly 72 percent of his passes for 3,502 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions on 392 pass attempts. However, he's never been able to recapture that magic since then. Over the last four seasons, he has thrown a total of 50 touchdowns, and in the last two seasons, he's only completed 58.4 and 57.5 percent of his passes, respectively.
Devn Leary - Kentucky
Devin Leary is 24 years old and will turn 25 shortly after the start of the 2024 season. Depending on how you look at that, it could be good or bad. Either way, if the Bills go this route, he's projected as an undrafted free agent, so no draft capital will need to be expended on him. He is 6'1" and weighs 215 pounds, with a 40-time of 4.76.
Leary is a three-year starter, two with NC State and last season with Kentucky. He has a decent release speed but has not shown to be a very accurate passer. His career completion rate of 59 percent is a concern. During his senior season at Kentucky he threw for 2,746 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He's also not going to wow anyone with his running ability. In five collegiate seasons, Leary has -125 yards rushing.