The NFL Draft is over in the blink of an eye, and the Buffalo Bills are now filling out the rest of their roster with rumored undrafted free agents and low-level unsigned veterans. GM Brandon Beane made some draft picks that were shocking to Bills fans, and some that they loved that they viewed as future stars. But what about some players that didn't get drafted? Can any of them crack this 53-man roster? The roster is deep at many positions, but some more notable undrafted players have a chance to make the team at more thinner positions. It's important to note that while these signings were reported by credible reporters, they aren't made official until the team announces them.
The Bills added to the running back position a couple of times this past weekend, drafting Ray Davis along with the reported signing of Frank Gore Jr after the draft concluded, as Jordan Schultz reported. After losing Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, and not signing anyone in free agency to replace them, Gore Jr has a legit shot at making the roster as Davis' backup. Keeping four running backs on the active roster is something that the team hasn't done too often with this regime, most recently in 2022 with Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, James Cook, and Taiwan Jones. Now with another crowded backfield with plenty of talent, they could opt to do the same this year.
Another reason they could look to keep four players in the backfield again this year is they haven't done too much to replace the production of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Curtis Samuel and Keon Coleman are fine players, but neither likely step into the Diggs role and perform as an All-Pro WR1 this year. So, keeping another running back allows them the option to go more ground and pound while they figure out the wide receiver room.
But, let's check out two UDFAs that have a good chance to make the Buffalo Bills roster.
Frank Gore Jr.
His father, Frank Gore Sr, played for the Bills five years ago where he shared a backfield with Devin Singletary. Now, his son is fighting for a roster spot with the same coaches that his dad played for. Gore Jr had a very successful four-year college career where he totaled 4,022 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 759 carries. His dad told Josina Anderson after his son signed with Buffalo that their pre-draft testing was "identical", and he's not lying either. Gore Jr's combine measurements we're pretty crazy. He weighed in at 201 pounds and standing at 5'8. However, he didn't run the 40-yard dash, but that isn't a must as it used to be.
The Bills are projected to go into training camp with five running backs, and Gore Jr. will be fighting for a roster spot with Darrynton Evans. Both present a different skillset to the Bills, as Evans can become their kick returner in the new kickoff rules, but Gore's running style may be too good to risk losing for Buffalo. If he's anything close to his father, he'll have a long successful NFL career, even as a backup on somebody's roster.
He's going to have a tough battle in training camp, and in Evans' second time around in Buffalo, he's not going to give up his roster spot easily. But with the amount of injuries the Bills suffered to their backfield last season, we could see somebody land on the practice squad.
Xavier Johnson Jr.
The Bills reportedly signed Johnson early after the draft out of Ohio State, Jordan Schultz reported. Johnson is a former running back converted to wide receiver, which gives the Bills their gadget guy to replace Deonte Harty, only on a much cheaper contract. In a crowded receiver room at Ohio State, he couldn't get the reps that he needed to show off his skillset, but he was still a big part of their team. From the ground, to in the air, to returning kickoffs, he'll have plenty of room to show the Bills why he needs to make the roster.
On the ground, Johnson totaled 190 yards on 12 attempts. At receiver, Johnson was a little bit better, totaling 178 yards on 13 receptions. But he really shined as their kick returner, he finished last season with 11 returns for 250 yards.
As I said before with Darrynton Evans, the Bills may keep an extra roster spot at one of these positions for specifically a return man. Johnson can fill two holes on this team if the Bills view his skillset the same way, as their primary returner, and seeing reps here and there as their new gadget guy in this brand new Joe Brady offense.