The Buffalo Bills offense will look completely different in 2018 than it did during the 2017 NFL season. With a new offensive coordinator and quarterback, even casual Bills fans (I don’t know too many of those, but maybe they exist!) will see a difference in play. A more astute observer will also notice that the Bills will deploy at least three new starters along the offensive line.
In the latest installment of our “90 players in 90 days” series, we examine an offensive lineman fighting to make the roster as a backup.
Name: De’Ondre Wesley
Number: 74
Position: T
Height/Weight: 6’6” 331 lbs.
Age: 26
Experience: 3
College: BYU
Draft: Signed by the Baltimore Ravnes as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Wesley is signed to a two-year deal worth a total of $1.2 million. In 2018, his cap hit will be $555,000 if he makes the final roster.
2017 Recap: Wesley spent the duration of the 2017 season on Buffalo’s practice squad. He signed with the team on September 5. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bills on January 8.
Positional outlook: Wesley is cross-training a bit on the offensive line, which is a smart thing both for him and for the coaching staff to do. Joe Buscaglia listed him as the second-team left guard after Day two of practice, but after four days, both Buscaglia and Sal Capaccio have Wesley listed as the second-team left tackle. Excluding the three centers in camp, there are a total of 12 offensive linemen in camp. Wesley and Marshall Newhouse have each spent time at both tackle and guard.
2018 Offseason: Wesley has participated in all offseason activities, and he has played multiple positions along the line.
2018 season outlook: While Wesley may be a long shot, he definitely has the potential to sneak on to the back end of the roster if he has a strong preseason and training camp. It’s far more likely that the Bills keep Conor McDermott and Newhouse to back up presumed starters Jordan Mills and Dion Dawkins, but if the team opts to keep a fifth tackle, Wesley’s versatility gives him a leg up on his competition.