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When it comes to offensive linemen, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott seem to value versatility far more than other general manager/head coach pairings. Especially when discussing reserve offensive linemen, the ability the play more than one spot along the trenches is paramount to making the team.
In our latest edition of “90 players in 90 days,” we profile an undrafted rookie free agent along the line who fits the Bills in terms of size, strength, and that all-important positional versatility.
Name: Garrett McGhin
Number: 64
Position: OL
Height/Weight: 6’6” 316 lbs.
Age: 23
Experience/Draft: R; undrafted
College: East Carolina
Acquired: Signed as UDFA with Buffalo on 5/13/19
Financial situation (per Spotrac): McGhin signed a three-year pact worth a total of $1,755,000, a fairly standard deal for undrafted rookies. If he makes the team this season, he will count $495,000 against the salary cap.
2018 Recap: McGhin started 12 games for the Pirates, moving to right tackle from the interior offensive line spots he had occupied during his sophomore and junior seasons—he played left guard, right guard, and center at various times—and was also a nominee for Bruce Feldman’s “College Football Freaks” list. According to ECU’s website, McGhin’s insane workout numbers include a max bench press of 425 lbs., a max squat of 635 lbs., a max power cleans of 352 lbs., and a 40-yard dash time of 5.1 seconds.
Positional outlook: McGhin joins a crowded offensive-line group that has plenty of new faces. Of the 16 offensive linemen currently on Buffalo’s roster, eight were on the team last season. McGhin is the only one listed merely as an offensive lineman rather than at a specific position, and given his experience all along the line, he will have to essentially battle everyone for roster space.
2019 Offseason: Little has been said about McGhin since he joined the Bills in mid-May.
2019 Season outlook: Given McGhin’s versatility and athleticism, it’s clear why Buffalo was interested in adding him. Given the amount of depth they already have along the offensive line, depth with experience in NFL games to boot, it’s unlikely that McGhin makes a real push for a spot on the final roster this year. He is, however, a perfect practice-squad candidate the team may keep to develop for the future.