The 2023 NFL Draft was over two weeks ago and since that time the Buffalo Bills have been busy putting the final touches on their roster for the upcoming season. They have added defensive tackle Poona Ford and running back Latavius Murray, adding some much-needed depth at the respective positions.
Recently, the Bills held their rookie minicamp and this was the first opportunity for their recent draft picks to get familiar with the coaching staff and playbook. It also presented a chance for the front office to invite other players to try out and earn a spot on their roster heading into OTAs and eventually training camp.
One of those tryouts was a former first round pick in Shane Ray, who was drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He showed enough during the rookie minicamp to earn himself a contract for the upcoming season.
Ray had a great start to his career with four sacks as a rookie then eight in his second season.
Unfortunately, wrist injuries and complications from surgeries derailed his career and the final two years with the Broncos were not the same. He has not played in an NFL game since the 2018 NFL season but has played in the Canadian Football League recently with the Toronto Argonauts.
Shane Ray is an excellent low-risk, high-reward signing for the Buffalo Bills
For a player who is four seasons removed from his last NFL game, Shane Ray is really an unknown at this point. However, he entered the league with excellent potential and showed early in his career that he can make an impact.
The reason that it is worth the gamble for the Buffalo Bills, is that he will only be 30 years old this season. It also appears that the wrist injuries are behind him being a few years removed now.
Another reason the move makes sense is he showed he can be productive playing opposite Von Miller. Both players were with the Denver Broncos in 2014 and 2015 and Ray had 12 sacks during that stretch while Miller had 25.
The Buffalo Bills could use some additional depth at the position with the questions surrounding Von Miller and his recovery from the ACL injury last year. He probably is still a long shot at making the 53-man roster but a player with Ray's upside for one of the final spots on the depth chart is a smart move for the front office.