Buffalo Bills get UDFA steal in OT Ike Boettger from Iowa

The Buffalo Bills may have made one of the best undrafted free agent pickups in Iowa offensive tackle Ike Boettger, who is coming off of an injury…

The Iowa Hawkeyes are nothing if not consistent, especially when it comes to cranking out NFL-caliber offensive line talent.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz was an offensive line coach in the NFL and has brought a pro-style approach to Iowa City, where the Hawkeyes have coached and developed some of the best linemen in the NFL.

Most recently, the Hawkeyes put center James Daniels into the league, the 39th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to the Chicago Bears.

Daniels, only 20, grew into one of the best centers in college football in no time.

This piece is not meant to highlight Daniels but a former teammate of his at Iowa, Ike Boettger.

Who is Ike Boettger?

I’m glad you asked.

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Boettger was slated to be the Hawkeyes’ starting right tackle in 2017 before an Achilles injury shortened his season to less than two full games.

Able to play both right and left tackle, Boettger will be able to come in and compete right away for a Bills offensive line that no longer includes Cordy Glenn.

Boettger is built with NFL size for the tackle position, checking in at Iowa’s pro day at 6-foot-6, 313 pounds.

If Boettger can stay healthy, I think he has a chance to contribute as the Bills’ swing tackle right away and could compete to be their starting right tackle as soon as 2019.

If he had been able to play a full season in 2017, I have no doubt he would have elevated his draft stock, potentially as high as a late day-two selection, or perhaps early day three.

With the Bills’ youth offensively, the timing may be everything for Boettger. He’s got a chance to be a really good NFL player and I think he will prove that rather quickly in Buffalo.

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