Bills Sign UDFA 6’6 WR Shavers (Reportedly 3 year deal)

[Radar]

12 hours ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Team is just obsessed with STs lol it’s insatiable 

Well, have you thought about how important ST are to wins and losses. Marv Levey did and he was right in my opinion.

[SCBills]

22 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I think we may carry a 7th WR as opposed to a 4th RB like we have in the past. 

 

Someone like Shavers as WR7 as opposed to Taiwan Jones as RB4. 
 

Allen/Allen (2)

 

Cook/Harris/Hines (3)

 

Gilliam (1)

 

Diggs/Davis/Shakir/Harty/Sherfield/Shorter/Shavers (7)

 

Knox/Kincaid/Morris (3) 

 

Dawkins/Brown/Morse/Bates/McGovern/Torrence/

Edwards/Doyle (8) 

 

Rousseau/Basham/Lawson/Epenesa/Miller (5)

 

Jones/Oliver/Settle/Phillips (4)

 

Milano/Bernard/Williams/Dodson/Matakevich (5)

 

White/Elam/Benford/Johnson/Jackson/Neal (6)

 

Hyde/Poyer/Rapp/Hamlin (4) 

 

Martin/Bass/Ferguson (3) 

 

That’s 51/53

 

It would leave the following guys competing for the last 2 spots (3 with Von likely starting on the PUP). 
 

Broeker, Quessenberry, Boettger (OL)

 

Jonathan/Ankou/Bryant (DL)

 

Klein/Spector (LB)

 

Austin/Lewis (DB) 

 

I agree they may keep 7 WR, but it sounds pretty much guaranteed that the Bills are going to sign at least 1 DL piece soon. 
 

That being said, I don’t know if Settle or Basham are completely safe. 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

3 minutes ago, Radar said:

Well, have you thought about how important ST are to wins and losses. Marv Levey did and he was right in my opinion.

Have I? Yes and I have articulated it several times. In 2023…almost not at all. They have changed every rule to where STs is borderline meaningless. Almost nobody returns anything and almost every play is a penalty 

[PBF81]

24 minutes ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

Did we go with 7 last year to start the season? If so, we are good. Diggs, Davis, Shakir, Hardy, Sherfield and the two rookies. 

 

I don't recall.  I have no idea BTW, just asking the question.  I mean we drafted this WR Shorter from Florida that everyone's going bonkers over, but in addition to him and numerous others on the roster, I don't know where they're all going to fit.  You only need so many STs WRs, eh.  

 

We'll see.  On a tangent though, our OL could be much better of Torrence is the real thing and McGovern is as they say.  Bates can play C if Morse gets hurt, Dawkins is solid despite some being down on him, so if Brown can step up, particularly with four other decent OL-men next to him, if Dorsey can avoid f'ing things up then we could very well have the #1 offense.  I don't have the same hopes for our D, but having the top offense or even a well-balanced #2 would be great.  

 

 

[Radar]

1 minute ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Have I? Yes and I have articulated it several times. In 2023…almost not at all. They have changed every rule to where STs is borderline meaningless. Almost nobody returns anything and almost every play is a penalty 

Must agree. In spite of the rule changes I think special teams is important.

[buffblue]

24 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

I think we may carry a 7th WR as opposed to a 4th RB like we have in the past. 

 

Someone like Shavers as WR7 as opposed to Taiwan Jones as RB4. 
 

Allen/Allen (2)

 

Cook/Harris/Hines (3)

 

Gilliam (1)

 

Diggs/Davis/Shakir/Harty/Sherfield/Shorter/Shavers (7)

 

Knox/Kincaid/Morris (3) 

 

Dawkins/Brown/Morse/Bates/McGovern/Torrence/

Edwards/Doyle (8) 

 

Rousseau/Basham/Lawson/Epenesa/Miller (5)

 

Jones/Oliver/Settle/Phillips (4)

 

Milano/Bernard/Williams/Dodson/Matakevich (5)

 

White/Elam/Benford/Johnson/Jackson/Neal (6)

 

Hyde/Poyer/Rapp/Hamlin (4) 

 

Martin/Bass/Ferguson (3) 

 

That’s 51/53

 

It would leave the following guys competing for the last 2 spots (3 with Von likely starting on the PUP). 
 

Broeker, Quessenberry, Boettger (OL)

 

Jonathan/Ankou/Bryant (DL)

 

Klein/Spector (LB)

 

Austin/Lewis (DB) 

 

Gotta think that Klein will find his way onto the roster.

 

I'm curious to see how Doyle may look coming off the injury. 2 years ago he was basically the swing tackle, and he is still a very young player. Hopefully he shows enough to where Quessenberry is not needed

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

1 minute ago, Radar said:

Must agree. In spite of the rule changes I think special teams is important.

I think it can hurt you and obviously don’t miss FGs…but return game has never been less important 

[Radar]

2 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I think it can hurt you and obviously don’t miss FGs…but return game has never been less important 

FG's, punting game are obviously important. Seems to me there are still a fair amount of run backs as well. I'd be interested in some stats on that.

[JGMcD2]

13 minutes ago, buffblue said:

Gotta think that Klein will find his way onto the roster.

 

I'm curious to see how Doyle may look coming off the injury. 2 years ago he was basically the swing tackle, and he is still a very young player. Hopefully he shows enough to where Quessenberry is not needed

I think if Doyle is healthy he makes the roster easily. He showed some positive flashes before injury. 

[Doc]

31 minutes ago, die hard bills fan said:

How fast is he?  

One report states a 40 time of  4.38 

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2646131-tyrell-shavers-to-alabama-crimson-tide-land-4-star-wr-prospect#:~:text=Shavers already had 12 Division, second fastest at the regional.

 

Another report says. A lack of speed is a major concern, and it could keep Shavers from ever seeing the field in the NFL.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/san-diego-state-2023-nfl-draft-scouting-reports-include-jesse-matthews-alama-uluave-and-tyrell-shavers/

 

 

The 4.38 was wind-aided (as per the article).

Edited April 30, 2023 by Doc

[BADOLBILZ]

24 minutes ago, die hard bills fan said:

How fast is he?  

One report states a 40 time of  4.38 

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2646131-tyrell-shavers-to-alabama-crimson-tide-land-4-star-wr-prospect#:~:text=Shavers already had 12 Division, second fastest at the regional.

 

Another report says. A lack of speed is a major concern, and it could keep Shavers from ever seeing the field in the NFL.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/san-diego-state-2023-nfl-draft-scouting-reports-include-jesse-matthews-alama-uluave-and-tyrell-shavers/

 

 

 

There isn't a lot of video of him from what I saw but yeah he doesn't look very fast in the little bit of it.    Not 4.38 likely.   There are a few of these traits WR's with stories of interest.   Shavers wasn't one of the plethora of 5 stars in this draft but he was a big time recruit with rare size.   Back in 2017 that is.   The Bills got another one with Jalen Wayne part of the Reggie Wayne family.    I was hoping for Shedrick Jackson........nephew of Bo.   He signed with Cinci.   All of these guys will probably be playing spring football in a couple years but it adds interest to the preseason etc.. 

[NickelCity]

21 minutes ago, SCBills said:

I agree they may keep 7 WR, but it sounds pretty much guaranteed that the Bills are going to sign at least 1 DL piece soon. 
 

That being said, I don’t know if Settle or Basham are completely safe. 

 

Settle ought to be safe. Good player at a thin position. What am I missing?

[BADOLBILZ]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

The 4.38 was wind-aided.

 

 

Have you seen him?   He is built for wind confusion.

[SCBills]

3 minutes ago, NickelCity said:

 

Settle ought to be safe. Good player at a thin position. What am I missing?

Im pretty sure he graded out as one of the worst DL in the league last year.  
 

I was intrigued when we signed him, but he gave us nothing last year. 

[Warcodered]

39 minutes ago, Roundybout said:

Somewhat off topic but I saw Josh speak at UB a couple weeks ago and he said that his touchdown to Kumerow against the Broncos during the 2020 season was his favorite touchdown pass he’s ever thrown. 

We're just lucky that ball didn't travel back in time to the year 1955.

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, BADOLBILZ said:

Have you seen him?   He is built for wind confusion.

 

Nope.  I know very little about him other than what's been posted here.  Just saying the link above says the 4.38 was wind-aided.

[JGMcD2]

6 minutes ago, SCBills said:

Im pretty sure he graded out as one of the worst DL in the league last year.  
 

I was intrigued when we signed him, but he gave us nothing last year. 

83/127 wasn’t great, wasn’t a complete disaster.

 

He wasn’t too far behind Fletcher Cox and Daron Payne. He was actually above Dre’Mont Jones who got a big pay day. 
 

Wasn’t he scuffed up a bit during the year too? Calf? 

[Thurman#1]

54 minutes ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Have I? Yes and I have articulated it several times. In 2023…almost not at all. They have changed every rule to where STs is borderline meaningless. Almost nobody returns anything and almost every play is a penalty 

 

 

And yet most teams have several spots for ST guys, including just about all of the good ones.

 

STs make a difference. Less difference than they used to, that's correct. But they still make a difference. Teams fight for every advantage, as they should.

[Sierra Foothills]

13 hours ago, boyst said:

It's becoming normal. Players are trying to get to UDFA status instead of the 6-7 round. They get more flexibility and can negotiate a lot better deals. The NFLPA union screws rookie draftees. 

 

The NFL rookie wage scale was implemented during the 2011 negotiations. It took money from 1st rounders such as Sam Bradford ($76 million), Jason Smith ($62 million), JaMarcus Russell $61 million) and reallocated that money towards veteran players who had already proven their value.

 

3 hours ago, Straight Hucklebuck said:

You mean nobody wants a 33 year old with like 10 career catches? 

 

You have to admit, "Touchdown Jesus" is a pretty cool nickname though.

 

13 hours ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Team is just obsessed with STs lol it’s insatiable 

 

1 hour ago, Radar said:

Well, have you thought about how important ST are to wins and losses. Marv Levey did and he was right in my opinion.

 

1 hour ago, Radar said:

Must agree. In spite of the rule changes I think special teams is important.

 

1 hour ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I think it can hurt you and obviously don’t miss FGs…but return game has never been less important 

 

1 hour ago, Radar said:

FG's, punting game are obviously important. Seems to me there are still a fair amount of run backs as well. I'd be interested in some stats on that.

 

12 minutes ago, Thurman#1 said:

And yet most teams have several spots for ST guys, including just about all of the good ones.

 

STs make a difference. Less difference than they used to, that's correct. But they still make a difference. Teams fight for every advantage, as they should.

 

Yes, ST is less important but still important.

 

Ask the 2021 Green Bay Packers who lost 4 games directly to special teams including their NFC Divisional Game loss to SF.

 

"Despite leading 10–3 throughout most of the game, the Packers went on to lose 13–10 to the 49ers. During the game, the special teams received scrutiny after allowing a blocked field goal, a 32-yard kick return by JaMycal Hasty, a 45-yard return by Deebo Samuel, and blocked punt that would tie the game at 10–10 in the 4th quarter."

 

 

 

[BillsShredder83]

13 hours ago, Roundybout said:

 

Hopefully this means Taiwan Jones gets taken out to pasture. 

"Look at the flowers"

[Beck Water]

3 hours ago, boyst said:

I don't disagree with you at all. I speak from one anecdotal experience and then reading about some of this happening. In the early pp's a family friend was looking at a possible late round draft pick. His agent did not like the options he was likely to get through the draft on the teams that were calling and saying he was on their radar. Somehow, the agent was able to decline some drafting options to let him fall to UDFA status. The guy went to a super bowl contending team to backup a HOF player for 3 or 4 years on a UDFA contract where he was a PS player for most of it.

 

He had many interesting stories about his PS players are treated, and they're not given a second rate treatment. They're no star but they're well taken care of beyond the $$. 

 

That's actually really good to know about how well PS players are treated.  I have heard it varies from team to team, the biggest issue being availability of short-term housing in cities with tight and expensive housing markets (since PS guys can be signed to a roster across the country or released at any time).

 

I've heard that some of the best teams provide subsidized, furnished apartments and also encourage their position groups to take PS guys "under their wing" and offer them rooms, while others are more like "good luck, don't get hurt"

[Big Turk]

2 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

Mainly it is because they end up being cut. Put on PS and then have to sign futures. Tricks people into thinking they were one year deals. 
 

the reality is when that PS player makes the team after camp. Stays on team all season He doesn’t have to be re-signed in offseason. Still would have 2 years left 

 

Ok that makes a lot of sense. I learned something today...thanks! 

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

Seems like some healthy WR battles in training camp this year.

[Beck Water]

2 hours ago, Captain_Quint said:

It's time to start trimming the fat on the ST player contracts. Guys like Metakavich, Jones, Kumerow etc are being phased out for guys like Spector, this guy, Dorian Williams, all on cheaper rookie contracts. Hopefully this guy is as described by that guy up above. May be a steal for the Bills.

 

Don't hold your breath on Matakevich since we just re-signed him, and he's pretty established as the ST tonesetter and captain until someone unseats him.

 

But I think you're correct that Jones and Kumerow and Jaquan Johnson are gone, in favor of Trent Sherfield (who can actually play WR), Zayne Anderson, and maybe 1 of our 2 new rookie WR

 

Beane has been pretty clear on the point that if you aren't starting on the Bills, you need to play ST.

 

 

[The Frankish Reich]

14 hours ago, boyst said:

It's becoming normal. Players are trying to get to UDFA status instead of the 6-7 round. They get more flexibility and can negotiate a lot better deals. The NFLPA union screws rookie draftees. 

Well, then it would benefit a team like the Bills to draft him in the 7th to eliminate his bargaining power, right? So I’m not getting it. 

[Doc]

20 minutes ago, BuffaloBillsGospel2014 said:

Seems like some healthy WR battles in training camp this year.

 

I don't see much of a battle.  I think they keep 7 WRs with Short and Shavers making it and Dezmon Patmon, Keesean Johnson and Isaiah Couter being goners unless one of them surprises.  Now if they get DHop...

[billsfan_34]

14 hours ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

Team is just obsessed with STs lol it’s insatiable 

Coming from the dudes handle of Brian Moorman lol 😂 

[Ethan in Cleveland]

14 hours ago, boyst said:

It's becoming normal. Players are trying to get to UDFA status instead of the 6-7 round. They get more flexibility and can negotiate a lot better deals. The NFLPA union screws rookie draftees. 

Agreed and since the signing bonus is minimal if they are cut after year 1 there really is no significant cap hit.  Though even with that it's unlikely they would be in the top 50 (I think this is the number) salaries that count towards the cap anyways. 

10 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

I don't see much of a battle.  I think they keep 7 WRs with Short and Shavers making it and Dezmon Patmon, Keesean Johnson and Isaiah Couter being goners unless one of them surprises.  Now if they get DHop...

Agreed. 

The only thing that will be interesting is to see if Beane gets crazy and moves Davis knowing he will be gone next year anyways. 

 

I'm much higher on this board than most about Davis. I wouldn't move him.  I think he is going to be great this year.  He is going to be the homerun ball guy that gets one on one coverage as the safeties are pulled closer to the line because the run game and underneath passing is improved.

 

[papazoid]

diggs, davis, shakir, shefield, harty, shorter, shavers (7)

[Thurman#1]

37 minutes ago, Ethan in Cleveland said:

Agreed and since the signing bonus is minimal if they are cut after year 1 there really is no significant cap hit.  Though even with that it's unlikely they would be in the top 50 (I think this is the number) salaries that count towards the cap anyways. 

Agreed. 

The only thing that will be interesting is to see if Beane gets crazy and moves Davis knowing he will be gone next year anyways. 

 

I'm much higher on this board than most about Davis. I wouldn't move him.  I think he is going to be great this year.  He is going to be the homerun ball guy that gets one on one coverage as the safeties are pulled closer to the line because the run game and underneath passing is improved.

 

 

 

No reason to think Davis will be gone this year, or next for that matter.

 

It's one of the possibilities. But they also might easily find a way to keep him.

 

I'm with you that I think he'll be better this year, though I don't know about great. 

[GoBills808]

2 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

83/127 wasn’t great, wasn’t a complete disaster.

 

He wasn’t too far behind Fletcher Cox and Daron Payne. He was actually above Dre’Mont Jones who got a big pay day. 
 

Wasn’t he scuffed up a bit during the year too? Calf? 

I want to know who compiled those rankings because Daron Payne was one of the best DTs in the league last season

[ChevyVanMiller]

1 hour ago, BillsShredder83 said:

"Look at the flowers"

Kudos on a SOA reference.

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

2 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

Coming from the dudes handle of Brian Moorman lol 😂 

I was going to see how long it took for someone to call me out on that lol I got pretty far

[Buffalo716]

17 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Damn...a 3 years contract for a UDFA? Is that normal?

Yea unless you get just a mini camp invite 

 

they sign 3 year deals

4 hours ago, HOUSE said:

Any player receiving a 3 year deal should have been drafted no later than round 4.

Obviously Brandon Beane thought this guy was walking after one season.

Every single undrafted free agent who signs with  a team is given a three-year deal

 

It’s when they get cut and re-sign to the practice squad… That futures contract takes place

 

Any undrafted free agent that makes the team out of camp has three years

 

 

[BigAl2526]

17 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Damn...a 3 years contract for a UDFA? Is that normal?

I'm guessing any signing bonus would be minimal, so if he ends up getting cut, the dead cap issue won't be a problem.  

[Beck Water]

7 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

I think we may carry a 7th WR as opposed to a 4th RB like we have in the past. 

 

Someone like Shavers as WR7 as opposed to Taiwan Jones as RB4. 
 

Allen/Allen (2)

 

Cook/Harris/Hines (3)

 

Gilliam (1)

 

Diggs/Davis/Shakir/Harty/Sherfield/Shorter/Shavers (7)

 

Knox/Kincaid/Morris (3) 

 

Dawkins/Brown/Morse/Bates/McGovern/Torrence/

Edwards/Doyle (8) 

 

Rousseau/Basham/Lawson/Epenesa/Miller (5)

 

Jones/Oliver/Settle/Phillips (4)

 

Milano/Bernard/Williams/Dodson/Matakevich (5)

 

White/Elam/Benford/Johnson/Jackson/Neal (6)

 

Hyde/Poyer/Rapp/Hamlin (4) 

 

Martin/Bass/Ferguson (3) 

 

That’s 51/53

 

It would leave the following guys competing for the last 2 spots (3 with Von likely starting on the PUP). 
 

Broeker, Quessenberry, Boettger (OL)

 

Jonathan/Ankou/Bryant (DL)

 

Klein/Spector (LB)

 

Austin/Lewis (DB) 

 

 

Wow, this is a pretty durn good roster forecast right out of the draft.

 

Historically last 2 seasons, Bills roster has broken down as follows

2022

QB 2, RB 4, FB 1, WR 6, TE 3, OL 9, DL 9, LB 6, CB 6 S 4 ST 3

2021

QB 2 RB 4, FB1 WR 7, TE 2, OL 9 DL 10 LB 6, CB 5 S 4 ST 3

 

So we've carried 7 WR before, but it was at the expense of only 2 TE which I think bit us in the buttocks when Knox broke his hand

Whether we'd do it at the expense of an RB - given that Hines is kind of like a quasi receiver - I don't know.  I guess it would depend on how much confidence we have in Gilliam in the RB role a fullback sometimes has?

 

Re your last 2 spots:

-Unless something very unexpected happens, I think you can lock Klein into a roster spot this year.   I think this because when pushed a bit about MLB in his post draft presser, Beane said something to the effect "we have a guy on the roster we know can do it, AJ Klein". 

 

-If the rules of the previous 3 seasons remain, teams get a benefit of having 8 OLmen active on game day, of being able to have 48 active players instead of 46.

So I don't see the Bills carrying less than 9 OLmen on the active roster, because with dings or injuries it's going to be hard to field 8 active OLmen with only 8 on the roster.

 

Re some guys you put on the roster:

-I'm pretty confident Doyle, who tore his ACL in the 1st Miami game on September 25th, is going to start the season on PUP.   And I haven't seen anything out of Doyle that says to me he's better than Quessenberry at swing tackle.  So barring Edwards just playing his ass off at OT, or acquiring someone better, I think Quessenberry is a lock. 

 

 

[Milanos Milano]

Gillette commercial in his future? 

[bigK14094]

19 hours ago, Roundybout said:

 

Hopefully this means Taiwan Jones gets taken out to pasture. 

Happy Trails

[billsfan_34]

5 hours ago, Brianmoorman4jesus said:

I was going to see how long it took for someone to call me out on that lol I got pretty far

Well played lol 😂 

[Buffalo Barbarian]

No more TD Jesus

 

 

On 4/29/2023 at 10:37 PM, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Likely little interest in Kumerow league wide due to injury and surgery.  I'm guessing no one signs him till medically cleared.  Could see the Bills signing him to PS as insurance against injury elsewhere on roster.  But Rodgers may want him for Jets

 

What surgery did Kumerow have ?