On the same day Bills rookie minicamp opened at One Bills Drive Buffalo's front office made a big dent in getting their 2013 draft class under contract. A day after signing seventh-round pick to his rookie contract, Buffalo signed four of his draft classmates shortly before the first practice Friday.
The Bills signed third-round receiver Marquise Goodwin, fourth-round defensive back Duke Williams, fifth-round safety Jonathan Meeks and sixth-round kicker Dustin Hopkins (pictured).
POST-DRAFT CONFERENCE CALLS: Marquise Goodwin | Duke Williams | Jonathan Meeks | Dustin Hopkins
Williams even announced his signing on Twitter.
Goodwin totaled 120 receptions for 1,364 yards and seven touchdowns in 50 games (22 starts) at Texas. He amassed 2,776 all-purpose yards in his Longhorns career. He ranked third on the team with 26 catches for 340 receiving yards and averaged 25.2 yards per kick return on 13 attempts in 2012.
Williams started 38-of-50 games at Nevada and compiled 292 tackles (198 solo), 14 pass break-ups, four interceptions to go along with five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. In 2012, Williams earned All-Mountain West Conference first-team honors with a career-high 106 tackles (68 solo), eight pass deflections and one interception in 13 starts.
Meeks posted 157 tackles, seven interceptions, 13 pass break-ups, four quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries in 50 games played (24 starts) at Clemson. His 192 interception return yards are fifth-most in Tigers history. Meeks started all 13 games played in 2012 and tallied 62 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions en route to All-ACC accolades.
Hopkins established a new NCAA record among kickers with 466 points in his Florida State career. His 88 career field goals set a new record in NCAA, ACC and Florida State history. Hopkins' 290 career kicks made (202 PAT's and 88 FG's) established a Seminoles record. In 2012, Hopkins totaled 140 points – marking a new ACC single-season scoring record.
The signings leave only Buffalo's top three picks unsigned, quarterback EJ Manuel, receiver Robert Woods and linebacker Kiko Alonso. All of the Bills draft choices are expected to be on the practice field Friday for the start of rookie minicamp, which runs through Sunday.
