Buffalo pulled the trigger on a quarterback late in round five of the 2017 NFL draft, adding a cerebral signal caller, who could have a short learning curve for the NFL game.
Buffalo Bills Insider Chris Brown provides the details. Here is his report:
Most knew at least the possibility existed for the Bills to add a quarterback in this year’s draft. It didn’t happen until day three, but with Pitt QB Nathan Peterman still available at the end of the fifth round the Bills chose to invest at the position for the second consecutive draft.
Buffalo hosted Peterman on a pre-draft visit at One Bills Drive, put him on the board and on the whole liked what they heard and saw in the 22-year old Jacksonville native.
“We visited with Nathan here and the success speaks for itself at the position in terms of what he’s gone through,” said head coach Sean McDermott. “He faced some adversity early on in his career at Tennessee. He showed a tremendous amount of grit and turned that into a positive in terms of his career at Pitt.”
Peterman (6-2, 225) broke the thumb on his throwing hand after being thrust into the Volunteers lineup as a freshman. Unable to play he gave way to Josh Dobbs, who never let go of the starting job. Peterman eventually transferred to Pitt and started there his last two collegiate seasons.
All he did was lead the Panthers to their highest scoring offensive season in team history (41 points per game) and helped secure the only victory over the national champion Clemson Tigers at Death Valley (43-42) with a 300-yard, five touchdown performance in 2016.
His final two years at Pitt he was a 61 percent completion passer despite ranking fourth in yards per completion (15.4) and seventh in yards per attempt (9.33). Peterman also had a 3:1 touchdown to interception ratio over those final two collegiate season. He also led the ACC and finished eighth nationally in passing efficiency with a mark of 163.4.
“I know (Pitt head) coach (Pat) Narduzzi very well down at Pitt and I know what he values,” said McDermott. “We’re similar in terms of those characteristics. The grit. The leadership. If you’re wired the right way, something good is happening when you’re going from Pitt and you’re beating Clemson and you’re almost going down to Oklahoma State and knocking them off. Those are good things, when you’re playing under center.”
Peterman is just grateful for the opportunity to get his NFL career off the ground and called his visit to One Bills Drive less than a month before the draft a successful one.
“I really enjoyed it just meeting all the people there,” he said. “I’ve always said that the people make the place. And it seems like the people there, (quarterbacks) coach (David) Culley, (offensive coordinator) coach (Rick) Dennison, coach McDermott and GM Doug Whaley being a Pitt guy and getting to talk about that was cool. I’m really excited just to get up there and be part of the team.”
Peterman, who played in a pro-style offense has called plays, he’s been under center and he’s made progression reads, all things that should put him on a faster track to adapting to the NFL game than the signal callers who get all of their information from the sidelines before the play.
“I think it’s been really helpful having the opportunity to be exposed to some of the things I’ve seen on my pre-draft visits with teams,” Peterman said. “To have some familiarity with that I think is going to help me a lot in Buffalo and help me get started on the playbook.”
He doesn’t have an elite arm, but it’s good enough for the NFL game. What was attractive to the Bills was his consistency in hitting the target and the ability to make anticipatory throws.
“You look at his accuracy and the timing of his throws from the position and his ability to work under center – that was important for us,” said McDermott. “It’s not something you see often in the college game.”
Peterman will have a healthy amount of competition with four other quarterbacks on the roster including second-year QB Cardale Jones. McDermott however, is relying on that competition to see who emerges and thrives in such a setting.
“They’re going to compete like the rest of them,” said McDermott. “Nothing is promised to anyone. We’re going to compete every day. I’ve got to earn my spot and I’m sticking with that. These guys are going to compete. Competition, if you’re wired the right way, brings out the best people.”
“I think you’re always made better through competition so I’m just excited to get started,” said Peterman. “I’m excited for any opportunity that comes my way.”