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Bills sign five draft picks from 2023 draft class

May 11, 2023 at 06:14 PM

Maddy Glab

Team Reporter

The Bills announced on Thursday that five of their 2023 draft picks have signed their rookie contracts. All five signed a four-year contract with the Bills.

After being one of the first rookies to sign with the Bills on Thursday, LB Dorian Williams said it's a dream come true to be able to put pen to paper on his first NFL contract.

"Oh man, it's super exciting, just another home to add to know our life. Me and my family are super excited to be up here in Buffalo," he said.

Offensive guard O'Cyrus Torrence also made it official with the Bills on Thursday. The Florida product can't wait to get started.

"I'm very excited just to be able to officially be a part of this great culture and just the organization itself," Torrence said. "I'm just feeling like this is the start to accomplishing something great in my life, especially now that I'm actually on the team. I get to get ready to go to work with some of the guys here. I'm really looking forward to that."

Buffalo's rookie mini camp begins May 12 where the newly-signed players will all practice as a Bill for the first time. Williams said he's looking forward to a chance to bond with the rookie class and help make each other better.

"Super excited to go out here and be able to compete and finally be able to be part of the team," Williams said. "It'll be amazing to get out here to compete against these guys."

Here's a rundown of each of the players that signed their rookie contracts.

OG O'Cyrus Torrence

Torrence, 6-5, 330, was drafted by the Bills in the second round with the 59th overall pick. The guard was a consensus All-American and first-team All-SEC member in 2022. Torrence started in 46 games over his four-year career with his first three years being at Louisiana and his final season at Florida. The interior offensive lineman didn't allow one sack throughout his entire collegiate career. The SEC product mostly played at right guard but also has experience at left guard.

LB Dorian Williams

Williams, 6-1, 228, was drafted by Buffalo in the third round with the 91st overall pick. The LB played in 48 games for Tulane and totaled 306 total tackles, 27 tackles for loss, nine and a half sacks, 14 passes defensed and two interceptions over his four years with the Green Wave. Williams earned first-team All-AAC in 2022 and tied ninth in the FBS with 132 tackles. The third rounder was named the Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP with 17 tackles in Tulane's win over USC.

WR Justin Shorter

Shorter, 6-4, 229, was selected by the Bills with the 150th pick in the fifth round. The WR played three seasons with Florida (2020-2022) and two seasons with Penn State (2018-2019). During his three years at UF, Shorter played in 34 games and totaled 95 catches, 1,395 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns and averaged 14.7 yards per catch. The WR played in 14 games during his two-year stint at Penn State. Coming out of high school in 2018, Shorter was rated as the top receiver prospect in the country.

OL Nick Broeker

Broeker, 6-4, 305, was drafted by the Bills in the seventh round with the 230th pick in the NFL Draft. During his senior season, Broeker won the Kent Hull Trophy, earned second-team All-America and first-team All-SEC honors. The OL played in 48 games over his four-year career at Ole Miss and started in 23 at left tackle and 13 at left guard. Broeker did not allow a sack in 435 pass blocking snaps in his 13 starts in 2022, per PFF.

CB Alex Austin

Austin, 6-1, 195, was selected by the Bills with their final pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The CB was drafted in the seventh round with the 252nd pick. Austin earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2022. The Oregon State product played in 36 games and racked up 140 total tackles, 24 passes defensed, four interceptions, two tackles for loss and one sack.