Buffalo signs a receiver from the CFL.
By Nick Wojton / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills nabbed a free agent at an odd time for the second-straight year.
After signing cornerback Vontae Davis earler in the 2018 offseason, the 2019 offseason starts with a similar swing. According to reports, wide receiver Duke Williams has signed with the Bills.
His name might sound familiar because it’s already worn a Buffalo uniform before, but this isn’t former defensive back Duke Williams, it’s a whole new guy. So who is he?
Here are six things to know about Williams:
CFL All-Star
Williams comes to Buffalo via an interesting route. The former undrafted rookie from the 2016 NFL Draft was most recently with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. So how’d he catch the Bills’ attention from western Canada? He was a CFL All-Star.
Williams, who’s full first name is D’Haquille, led the CFL with 88 catches for 1,579 yards with 11 touchdowns in 18 games played. Williams has deep-threat potential, averaging 17.9 yards per catch. This past season was his second in the CFL. His first season saw him post 46 catches for 715 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games played.
Off-field issues
That’s a lot of catches in the CFL, which is probably the No. 2 professional league behind the NFL. So what gives? How didn’t a guy who can do that stick in the NFL? Well, Williams comes with some baggage. Born in Los Angeles, Williams attended East St. John High School in Louisiana and went to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. As a top junior college prospect, he ended up at Auburn. There, problems happened.
In 2015, Williams reportedly was in a brawl at a bar, striking up to four people and security guards during the incident. He also reportedly toss a drink at a female patron at the bar. He was dismissed from the football team for the incident. Following that episode, Williams also had a poor combine, causing him to go undrafted. He briefly signed with the Rams but was cut and then went to the CFL. Per reports in Edmonton, Williams has straightened out and the Bills have likely done their homework on that matter.
This block
Ironically, some scouting reports criticized Williams blocking when he was first looking to make it in the NFL. We might be able to assume he’s improved as a blocker as well. Williams’ blocking helped him star in a viral video.
This is Williams blocking a guy who was trash talking his team:
The biggest trash talk whiff in football history pic.twitter.com/VsCqSYgJXL
— Someone’s An Idiot (@SomeonesAnIdiot) October 20, 2018
See ya later.
Ridiculous measureables
The Bills recent moves indicate one thing: Speed. There’s Robert Foster, Isaiah McKenzie and Deonte Thompson. Who knows how the Bills wide receiver room will look in 2018, however, we know they’re at least still interested in adding some size, not just speed. That’s what Williams’ game is. Williams comes in at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. He actually ran a slower 40-time at his combine than Kelvin Benjamin, but his hands certainly look a lot better and despite those combine numbers. maybe he picked it up in the speed category, too. He looks like he has a little bit of a step on Benjamin.
Future Bills standout?
That could be a tough assumption to make. Like college, talent from the CFL doesn’t always translate to the NFL. But Williams likely selected Buffalo because he has a legit chance to stick around. Per Farhan Lalji from TSN, Williams had “a lot of workouts and interest.”
Buffalo certainly needs playmakers. Outside of Zay Jones and Foster, every receiver roster spot is likely up for grabs. Williams wants a chance, he’ll have it in Buffalo, so you can bet that’s why he picked the Bills. On top of that, in just the past few weeks alone, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott & Co. proved he will give any player a look. (i.e. Foster). That could’ve convinced Williams, too. Let’s hope he comes from the Marv Levy school of CFL success.
Loves a good celly
One thing the 2018 Bills really lacked at was… creative celebrations (Maybe only Jones’ Pancho Billa celebration was memorable?) If Williams sticks around Buffalo’s final 53-man roster when training camp is over, heck even in the preseason, fans could be in for a treat of a celebration.