Duke Williams is circling the wagons with the Buffalo Bills.
Williams has made two acrobatic touchdown grabs in the pre-season, catching the attention of the franchise quarterback.
“He’s one of the guys that you gravitate towards. You want one of those guys on your team. He’s gone out the last couple games and made some really big plays for us,” said Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen.
“He’s just hungry, he doesn’t care what’s in his way. One of those guys that’s just going to find a way.”
The 26-year-old pass catcher has six receptions for 53 yards and two touchdowns in three exhibition outings with Buffalo. Head coach Sean McDermott said Williams has “flashed” and demonstrated impressive physicality while blocking on running plays.
Through the first two seasons of the McDermott-Brandon Beane regime, the Bills kept five receivers on their final 53-man rosters at the end of training camp. Zay Jones and Robert Foster were one and two in receiving production last season, while John Brown and Cole Beasley signed 25-plus million dollar contracts as free agents in March. Isaiah McKenzie and Andre Roberts contributed as receivers and special teamers last year, the latter was an All-Pro returner.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Williams has an NFL frame and big school experience from his days at Auburn University. From the current group of receivers in Bills camp, Williams’ ability to win 50-50 balls stands out as his most desirable attribute. It’s a trait Buffalo could look to keep in a receiving corps McDermott affectionately refers to as the ‘Smurfs’ due to a relative lack of size.
Williams’ recorded 1,579 receiving yards with the Eskimos a year ago, earning him a second NFL opportunity. Following his NCAA career, the Los Angeles Rams signed Williams to an undrafted free agent contract, but he was among the team’s final training camp cuts.
The shot in Western New York has been different. Williams has seen action with the No. 1 offence and taken advantage of the reps. Less than a week is left for Williams to further his case for earning a roster spot. NFL teams must trim down to 53 players on the active roster by 4 p.m. eastern time on Saturday, August 31.
It seems as though the chances of Williams sticking with the Bills have risen just like the way he’s skied for touchdowns.
