Buffalo Bills: Rookies to watch in preseason matchup vs. Colts
Which Buffalo Bills rookies should we be keeping the closest eye on in their preseason opener against the Indianapolis Colts?
On Thursday night, the Buffalo Bills will kick off their preseason slate with a matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Bills are unlikely to be major contenders in 2019, but they have put together an interesting young roster that undoubtedly has some real upside going forward.
The performances of rookies are always the most fun part of the preseason. We finally get to see these players compete against real NFL competition as they try to solidify their spot on their new team. The Bills have one of the most interesting rookie classes in the entire NFL and will undoubtedly use the preseason to work in and showcase their new talent.
Let’s take a look at the three Buffalo Bills rookies who we should be watching the closest on Thursday night against the Colts.
3. TE Tommy Sweeney
The Bills drafted Boston College tight end Tommy Sweeney in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft and he should see a lot of playing time against the Colts. Due to injuries to fellow tight ends Tyler Kroft, Jason Croom and Dawson Knox, Sweeney has seen more snaps than expected in training camp and has built a nice rapport with starting quarterback Josh Allen.
Sweeney is a big and physical target who can work the middle of the field well. He is not an elite athlete by any means, but he has soft hands and blocks well. The injuries have certainly helped Sweeney get a longer look and he has a real opportunity to establish himself as a potential playmaker for the Bills in 2019. He is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on.
2. RB Devin Singletary
With LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore on the roster, third-round rookie running back Devin Singletary is unlikely to be a featured part of the Bills’ offense in 2019. That being said, he is a talented guy who undoubtedly has the ability to be a full-time ball carrier at some point in his carrier.
Singletary is a powerful and compact back who shows great patience and ball carrier vision. He also does a tremendous job of finishing forward and maintaining balance through contact. Singletary was absolutely dominant in college, but playing at FAU did not exactly offer top-tier competition. He also lacks ideal explosiveness and athleticism at the running back position.
Singletary is certainly an interesting player, but his athleticism is limited and he has never played against elite competition. I am excited to see what he can do against legitimate NFL talent on Thursday night.
1. DT Ed Oliver
Ed Oliver is an absolute monster at the defensive tackle position. He has an incredible combination of power and athleticism up front and was a huge steal for the Buffalo Bills when they landed him at No.9 overall. Oliver is expected to be a starter and major contributor for the Bills as a rookie and it will be especially interesting to see him against the Colts.
If Oliver starts on Thursday night, he will likely see some snaps against Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. Now that will be an exciting interior battle to watch and it will certainly be fascinating to see how Oliver can hold up against such a great player.