Bills Camp - Week 1

McDermott on James Cook, Bills are seeing what they have in two former top picks

Photo SJF.edu

With the running back depth chart filled with NFL household names like Latavius Murray and Damien Harris, what role is second-year back James Cook going to play?

Here's McDermott's take on the situation, “Roles to me are defined a little bit more once we get to cut down time,” “Right now it’s ‘Hey, go out there and compete and continue to grow as a football player.’ He’s just in his second year now. So we’ll see how that competition plays out.”

It's hard to imagine James Cook not getting a majority of the snaps as he looks to make a leap from his promising freshman season. But if the NFL has taught us anything; it's good to have depth at every position.

Former 1st and 2nd round picks seek redemption at Bills training camp

There is a former Bronco edge-rusher at training camp with a 2015 Super Bowl ring. Hint... it's not Von Miller.

It's Shane Ray - the former edge rusher and Denver Broncos' first-round draft pick in 2015.

Having spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Ray was given the opportunity to try out with the Bills during their minicamp.

Despite facing challenges due to injuries, Ray managed to start 13 games last season, showcasing his talent with six sacks and two forced fumbles before a season-ending torn biceps injury in a game against Calgary on October 1st. In 2021, injuries limited his appearances to just four games.

During that 2015 season, Ray played in 15 games, recording four sacks while being on the field for 30% of the snaps, leaving a lasting impact on the team.

It remains to be seen if Shane Ray's tryout will lead to a final roster spot on the Bills, but his journey from being a Super Bowl champion to showcasing his skills at a rookie minicamp adds an intriguing storyline to this year's training camp.

Andy Isabella

The Buffalo Bills have made an interesting move by signing former second-round pick Andy Isabella to a one-year deal, following a workout session on Friday.

In a corresponding move, the Bills are releasing Jalen Wayne, who happens to be the younger cousin of former Indianapolis Colts legendary receiver Reggie Wayne. Reggie currently serves as the receivers coach in Indianapolis, making this family connection an intriguing aspect of the transaction.

Originally selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the 66th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Isabella's journey has been filled with ups and downs. He was waived by the Cardinals last season, only to find a spot on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad. Despite his four seasons in the league, Isabella has yet to make a significant impact on a roster.

With this opportunity to join the Buffalo Bills, Isabella will be eager to showcase his skills and potential in a new environment. The Bills' coaching staff and fans alike will be keeping a close eye on him during training camp and preseason to see if he can finally make his mark on an NFL roster.