The Bills addressed some of the positions that weren't filled with their eight draft picks when they signed 10 undrafted rookies to participate in Buffalo's rookie minicamp. They also added some prospects that may have just slipped through the cracks and could surprise.
Here's a quick look at the prospects that were added after the draft was over with some expert comment on their abilities from the Bills scouting department.
OT Joel Bell – 6'7" 315 - Furman
A three-time all-conference performer at left tackle for Furman, Bell passes the eyeball test with prototype size and length. Young at the position, but viewed as a player with good upside.
"As a player last year he played on the left side. I think he's more of a right tackle," said Bills scout Tom Roth. "Excellent size. I'm surprised he was undrafted. He has all the measurables. He plays well and could often dominate his opponents at the 1-AA level especially in pass protection. Right now he's a better pass protector."
DT John Faletoese – 6'2" 285 - Cal DavisAnother Division 1-AA performer that relies on quickness and burst. A three and a half year starter Faletoese uses his hands well and is often in the offensive backfield, and fits as a three-technique tackle in Buffalo's scheme. Had nine blocked kicks on special teams.
"He's an undersized guy, but he plays with a lot of quickness. He can shoot the gaps and uses his initial quickness to his advantage," said Bills scout Rashaan Curry. "The guy had a lot of sack production as well.You like his sustained production all four years."
OL Nick Hennessey – 6'6" 293 - Colgate
A strong run blocker for a run-oriented offense at Colgate with good size and explosion off the ball. A three-year starter at right tackle and a second-team All-American.
"He's athletic enough to be a tackle," said Bills coordinator of college scouting Doug Majeski. "He's got good size, but he's a bit raw and I think he might project to guard. He has to adjust to the level of competition as well. He certainly has the height and length to play tackle."
DL Ventrell Jenkins – 6'1" 286 - Kentucky
A consistent performer in the run front with the ability to make plays in the backfield. Jenkins showed his athleticism with his 56-yard fumble return in Kentucky's Liberty Bowl win over East Carolina. Solid intangibles.
"He was a pretty good player for them," said Majeski. "He played some end and some three technique for them. I see him more as a defensive tackle than a defensive end. He's a strong player with his leverage and anchor. I like the way he played. He played with a lot of effort in college. We're glad to have him as a free agent."
DT David Lindquist – 6'2" 293 - Illinois
A steady interior performer for the Illini that loves to grind in the run game. Lindquist is a blue collar, effort player with above average strength. Led the Big Ten in 2007 with four fumble recoveries.
"A strong run defender, tough kid," said Majeski. "He's more of a run stopper than anything else. He's really strong and thick throughout from top to bottom. You like the way he plays with his effort and motor. I think he's best suited as a one-technique, but he'll probably flip back and forth in our system."
TE Travis McCall – 6'2" 276 - Alabama
A solid blocking tight end that had a positive impact on the Crimson Tide running game in his time at Alabama. He hits well at the line of scrimmage, a physical player and solid special teamer.
"He was used kind of like our tight ends where he'd line up in the backfield and also on the line, but he is a tight end," said Bills scout Shawn Heinlen. "He's a blocking tight end. He's adept at that. He's a short area receiver that was used as an outlet, safety valve type guy in the passing game."
OLB Ashlee Palmer – 6'1 ½" 223 - Ole Miss
A junior college transfer that was a sideline to sideline defender for the Rebels, Palmer was a two-year starter. Timing in the mid to high 4.5s, Palmer is an aggressive player that can help on the pass rush and special teams.
"He's a really good athlete. A little bit of a late bloomer, but he has some upside to him." said Bills scout Shawn Heinlen. "His best asset is his speed and ability to get to the ball. He really has a knack for blitzing quarterbacks. He times it well and just finds a way to get there."
CB Lydell Sargeant – 5'9" 190 - Penn St.
Sargeant was an instinctive cover man on the corner for Penn State. Timed in the high 4.4's. Had seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups in his college career.
"Lydell has good hips and good feet," said Majeski. "His speed is good and he's got pretty good man cover skills, it's just hard to see it because they play such little man coverage. He's a tough kid that will come up and tackle and hit in the run game. He's a good player."
K Danny Urrego – 5'11" 190 - Portland St.A junior college transfer, Urrego is a versatile specialist as he handled punting, place kicking and kickoff duties for the Vikings over the last year and a half of his career. Went 23-27 on field goal attempts at Portland State, and has a good touch dropping punts inside the 20-yard line.
"He does everything," said Bills scout Brad Forsyth. "He had a solid year last season. He's not a big guy, but he does have a strong leg. The other benefit he brings to the table is he's a left footer and gives your returners a chance to work against a left footer in camp."
DE Gerald Washington – 6'4" 262 - USC
A converted tight end, Washington flipped to defensive end in 2007, but had trouble getting on the field at USC. He also spent four years in the Navy as a helicopter mechanic before entering college in 2004. 27-years old.
"He is a physical specimen," said Bills scout Brad Forsyth. "He's really what you want just looking at a guy. He's big, he's got long arms and an athletic physique. He just never had a lot of time on the field. He looks good in practice and looks like he should be a player, but didn't get reps. He's a raw talent."
