BigAl2526 Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 We all know his story. Undrafted free agent out of Penn State who stuck on Buffalo's practice squad because of his athleticism and versatility until he developed, finally gaining a starting guard job later in the season last year and improving the offensive line by his presence. Buffalo looks for players like that, young free agents with athleticism, potential and great attitude that they can develop for the future. The reason is obvious. You can't draft enough players to fill every role you need filled, and quality veteran free agents are too expensive to sign more than a limited number. The Bills have signed a young undrafted free agent who may be able to follow a similar path to the one Ryan Bates has followed. He is Derek Kerstetter, an offensive lineman out of Texas. He played every position on the offensive line at Texas except left tackle, starting a decent number of games. He tested well at his pro day with good strength and athleticism. He's tall enough at 6'5" and has long enough arms for the tackle position but he's not so tall that it's hard for him to get low on the inside. He's got deficiencies in his game that will keep him from winning a roster spot this season, but there is some potential to develop. Nice article in Buffalo Rumblings https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/7/9/23196554/90-buffalo-bills-players-in-90-days-tackle-derek-kerstetter 5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warcodered Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 4 minutes ago, Doc said: I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates. There's also this guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Hopefully they all are. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logic Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 If we’re talking strictly offensive linemen, then the candidates have all already been listed in this thread. If we’re talking UDFAs with versatility who make the 53 man roster and work their way into a starting spot over time in general, regardless of position, I pick Nick McCloud. It sounds like he has been impressing at both corner and safety — with Jordan Poyer even saying that McCloud reminded him of himself when he was younger — and after he was plucked off the practice squad last year, the Bills may not want to risk losing him again. 7 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 I am more interested in the next Dawkins or Morse 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine gun kelly Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 1 hour ago, BigAl2526 said: We all know his story. Undrafted free agent out of Penn State who stuck on Buffalo's practice squad because of his athleticism and versatility until he developed, finally gaining a starting guard job later in the season last year and improving the offensive line by his presence. Buffalo looks for players like that, young free agents with athleticism, potential and great attitude that they can develop for the future. The reason is obvious. You can't draft enough players to fill every role you need filled, and quality veteran free agents are too expensive to sign more than a limited number. The Bills have signed a young undrafted free agent who may be able to follow a similar path to the one Ryan Bates has followed. He is Derek Kerstetter, an offensive lineman out of Texas. He played every position on the offensive line at Texas except left tackle, starting a decent number of games. He tested well at his pro day with good strength and athleticism. He's tall enough at 6'5" and has long enough arms for the tackle position but he's not so tall that it's hard for him to get low on the inside. He's got deficiencies in his game that will keep him from winning a roster spot this season, but there is some potential to develop. Nice article in Buffalo Rumblings https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2022/7/9/23196554/90-buffalo-bills-players-in-90-days-tackle-derek-kerstetter Its a good question Big Al, but guesses now is like throwing darts blindfolded. All subsequent replies will be WAG’s. Its a good question though and I trust our coaches will develop at least one UDFA and will be somewhere eventually on our team even if it’s a ST guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albany,n.y. Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Bates was never on a practice squad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 7 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said: Bates was never on a practice squad. Maybe he could be the next Ike Boettger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Who was the last Ryan Bates? 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uticaclub Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 59 minutes ago, Fan in Chicago said: I am more interested in the next Dawkins or Morse 2nd round draft picks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albany,n.y. Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 16 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said: Maybe he could be the next Ike Boettger? Boettger wasn't on the practice squad either. 11 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said: Who was the last Ryan Bates? Ryan Bates 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Brown Eye Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 There was a video of him bench pressing a station wagon on youtube a while back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 We have a good start and actually having a decent ol coach 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. WEO Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 1 hour ago, Albany,n.y. said: Boettger wasn't on the practice squad either. Ryan Bates So that would make it 3 Ryan Bateses in a row? His legend is ever growing.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Paulson Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 You mean Rick Bates? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie's Dead Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 4 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said: You mean Rick Bates? You beat me to it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in Chicago Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 3 hours ago, uticaclub said: 2nd round draft picks? Stellar performers on the OL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Sack Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Can Tommy Doyle step in? The 2nd line active roster depth is equally important. It’s great developing guys for beyond the current season, but I also have high expectations in Beane & Co to find guys who can step in and provide immediate impact. I see the beating both OL & DL take as the highest importance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobills404 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 11 hours ago, Doc said: I actually think that Tanner Owen could be the next Bates. That’s who I thought this thread was gonna be about 11 hours ago, Warcodered said: There's also this guy. He seems like he’d be a great personality in the locker room but I’m not holding my breath 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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