Buffalo Bills sign receiver Jake Kumerow, defensive tackle Chris Slayton to practice squad

The Buffalo Bills added two players to their practice squad on Tuesday, signing wide receiver Jake Kumerow and defensive tackle Chris Slayton. To make room on the practice squad, the Bills released tight end Nate Becker and offensive tackle Brandon Walton.

Slayton, 24, was a seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. The 6’4”, 307-lb defensive tackle played his college ball at Syracuse. Slayton spent much of his rookie year on the Giants’ practice squad, and while he was called up from the squad for the team’s final game, he did not play. Slayton fills the depth role that the coaching staff probably hoped Vincent Taylor would fill, but the big man was claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Browns after he was released.

Kumerow, 28, entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2015 when he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. After spending time on the New England Patriots practice squad, he signed with the Green Bay Packers. In 19 games with the Packers, Kumerow caught 20 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a big (6’4” and 209 lbs), fast (4.54 time in the 40-yard dash) wideout who is a willing, nasty blocker.

Becker was in his second offseason with the Bills after he signed with the team as an undrafted free agent last season. He spent all of 2019 on Buffalo’s practice squad. Walton signed with the Bills this year as an undrafted free agent.