The Buffalo Bills signed four wide receivers among their undrafted free agent signings from last week with one of those being Tyrell Shavers. He has an interesting background that could give him arguably the best shot at making the 53-man roster of any of the four.
He began in 2017 with the Alabama Crimson Tide but would redshirt his first season and after that season was primarily a special teams player. He would however have one catch for 20 yards in the 2019 season. Shavers would transfer to Mississippi State and play in four games, finishing with nine receptions for 107 yards and one touchdown.
Shavers would last only one season at Mississippi State before transferring to San Diego State where he had a bigger role in the offense with 18 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns in 2021. This past season was by far his best with 38 receptions, 643 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
How does Tyrell Shavers fit with the Buffalo Bills?
The reason that Tyrell Shavers might be a surprise addition to the 53-man roster is not for his play at wide receiver but actually for his experience on special teams. In total, he has three blocks returned for touchdowns with one at Alabama and then one in each of his two seasons with the Aztecs.
The Buffalo Bills could be looking for new players on special teams with veterans like Jake Kumerow and Taiwan Jones not brought back at this point of the offseason. The coaching staff certainly makes this part of the roster a priority and players who excel really help their chances.
A perfect example of this was Reggie Gilliam, who was an undrafted free agent in 2020, and would beat out veteran Patrick DiMarco and earn a spot o the 53-man roster. One of the big reasons for this was his play on special teams after he had six blocked kicks in college.
The Bills have a lot of depth at wide receiver but if Tyrell Shavers can impress the coaching staff on special teams, it will be tough to cut him ahead of the 2023 season.