After being part of the team's first cut, the practice squad was the next best option if Jon Corto wanted to be part of the team he grew up rooting for in Orchard Park. And that option became a reality Sunday as Corto was one of the seven players signed by the club to make up their practice squad.
Buffalo has one open spot they can still fill on the practice squad.
Joining the college linebacker turned safety are fellow unrestricted rookie free agent offensive lineman Christian Gaddis, defensive lineman Corey Mace, receiver Scott Mayle and guard Nevin McCaskill.
Gaddis saw perhaps the most action in the preseason as he manned the second team center position and showed some promise. Mayle's 4.38 speed was intriguing as he did a good job gaining separation from defenders in the preseason. He just needs to improve his consistency catching the football.
But Corto was an athletic player that caught Dick Jauron's eye early in the offseason as the Bills head coach called him one of the more athletic players they had in the secondary. But after playing linebacker at Division 1-AA Sacred Heart making that transition could take a little time.
The Bills also added seventh-round pick Derek Schouman to the practice squad after he was one of the 20 final cuts Saturday. He'll provide emergency depth at the fullback position should something happen to Ryan Neufeld.
NFL Europe receiver Justin Jenkins was the eighth player to make up the squad. Jenkins was fearless in the team's final preseason game making several catches in traffic and took some hard hits from the Lions' defense. He finished as the team's leading receiver in the preseason finale with five catches for 56 yards.
NFL International allocation Daniel Watts is currently the eighth player, but by rule he can never be elevated to the active roster. He doesn't count toward the practice squad total. So another player can still be signed.
Players eligible for the practice squad are those who do not have an Accrued Season of free agent credit; or who have one or more Accrued Seasons, but who were on the 45-player Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during each of such Accrued Seasons. So if a player has been active for nine or more regular season games he is not eligible for the practice squad.
A player may serve up to a maximum of three seasons on a team's practice squad, but there are certain requirements to be granted a third season of eligibility.
