By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Alliance of American Football has filled the void of professional football action following Super Bowl LIII. Over the first two weeks of the league, several players have made their names known to fans watching while other players have returned to the professional landscape. In either case, players are on the cusp of an invite to an NFL training camp.
Without a doubt, Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane is taking a close look at these games as they extend into the spring. Beane had luck finding undrafted free agents who have become productive players for the Bills.
With a developmental league showing off players in a game situation, there are definitely guys who can compete on the Bills roster.
Here are six AAF players from the offensive side of the ball whom the Bills should seriously consider bringing to camp this summer:
WR Charles Johnson
Johnson put forth a dominant performance in Week 2, reeling in 7 of 10 targets for 192 yards. Pro Football Focus gave him the highest grade of an offensive player in Week 2. In addition, the outlet highlighted each of his receptions either found the end zone or moved the chains.
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound wideout has the size to compete in the NFL. He played three seasons in the league from 2014-16, catching 60 passes in 39 games for the Minnesota Vikings. The former seventh-round pick hasn’t been in the NFL in two seasons. However, he is showing that teams should give him one more look. At 29, he still has enough in the tank for a final run at the big time for even a few more years.
WR Rashad Ross
Ross had an explosive opening week for Arizona, catching five passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He added another touchdown in the Hotshots’ Week 2 victory, reeling in four catches 67 yards on the evening. The 29-year-old has bounced around several practice squads since joining the NFL in 2013. He leads the AAF with three touchdown receptions, and he is second in yards with 170 yards through the air.
Ross was on the Bills’ roster for a short time in 2017, replacing Kolby Listenbee. However, Ross was released the following month and never made much of an impact with the team. Nevertheless, his performance in the Alliance may make him an appealing player for a second look. Plus, he has special teams experience which is something Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott covets in players.
WR DeMarcus Ayers
There’s a theme here with the position that the Bills need to upgrade on offense. Ayers caught five passes for 80 yards and earned a spot on Pro Football Focus’ Week 2 Team of the Week.
He’s undersized at 5-foot-9, but Ayers could be solid shifty option underneath, and he is worth a peek. In college, Ayers was a solid option as a return man as well.
Ayers only featured in one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016 after he was a seventh-round pick of the team. He then bounced to the practice squads of the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears.
RB Kenneth Farrow
Farrow is a bit undersized at 5-foot-9 but is solid at nearly 220 pounds. He’s shown a flash in the AAF that has opened some eyes. Farrow has two rushing touchdowns on 27 carries thus far. His 111 rushing yards rank fourth in the league.
With the dropoff in LeSean McCoy’s production last season, the Bills would benefit from taking a long hard look at running backs in this league. Chris Ivory, McCoy’s primary backup, will be 31 years old at the start of camp, as will McCoy himself. Thus, a line of succession is needed at this position.
Farrow, 25, who made two starts for the San Diego Chargers in 2016.
RB Zac Stacy
The argument for Stacy is similar to the reasons behind looking at Farrow. He currently leads the AAF in rushing with 159 yards. The 27-year-old is averaging 5.1 yards per carry, and he has a touchdown to add to his AAF resume. He is the first player to break the century mark on the ground for the AAF.
Stacy had some success as a rookie in 2013, rushing for 973 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. The following season, he lost carries to Tre Mason. The St. Louis Rams selected Todd Gurley in the 2015 NFL draft, and Stacy was traded to the Jets. His work thus far in the AAF indicates that he could push depth players at the running back spot in the NFL.
G Ryan Cummings
Buffalo’s offensive line is in a state of flux. It’s no mystery that the team needs to upgrade the position. While the AAF hasn’t shown a plethora of offensive line talent who could break into the NFL, Cummings may be a player who could buck that trend if given an opportunity.
According to Pro Football Focus, Cummings allowed only one pressure so far in his AAF tenure. In addition, he led all guards in his run blocking grade. Cummings is also familiar with the Bills in a particular way: he is a former blocker for the Bills QB Josh Allen, having attended the University of Wyoming. Cummings has experience playing both guard and tackle as well.