UDFA David Sills looks to make immediate impact in Buffalo

There’s a reason the NFL Draft is one of the top live events in all of television. There’s no debating that football is king in the sporting world here in the United States and the Draft is the one event where all fans, whether it’s the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the New England Patriots, can watch with the same level of anticipation and excitement. But while most eyes are on the Draft, and deservingly so, many overlook the importance of the undrafted free agency period.

In 2018 we saw an undrafted free agent running back in Phillip Lindsay be named to the Pro Bowl, becoming the first undrafted rookie on the offensive end to be named to a Pro Bowl. Other undrafted stars include Tony Romo, Wes Welker, James Harrison, Kurt Warner and Antonio Gates.

So who will be this year’s Phillip Lindsay, or this year’s Wes Welker? Of all the undrafted free agent signings, the one I loved the most was the signing of David Sills by the Buffalo Bills. The West Virginia wide receiver signed a three-year $1.8-million deal with Buffalo, the largest of any undrafted player. Sills, I believe will be the best of this year’s undrafted rookie class and I don’t think it will be particularly close.

The Bills are looking to help second-year quarterback Josh Allen in any way possible. The Bills used four picks on offensive players, including an offensive lineman, a running back and two tight ends. Additionally, the Bills also added two offensive linemen in free agency to go along with the signings of future Hall of Famer Frank Gore at running back, as well as adding wide receivers Cole Beasley and John Brown to secure some weapons for Allen. But Sills could provide a unique weapon for Allen, and it’s something the Bills desperately need.

The Bills ranked second-to-last in 2018 in receiving yards, finishing just ahead of the three-win Arizona Cardinals. Additionally, Buffalo receivers caught just 11 touchdowns, last in the NFL, with seven of those coming from one receiver. The Bills addressed the need at receiver this offseason with the signings of Beasley and Brown, both of who would have led the Bills in receiving yards in 2018. But while those two receivers would have led the Bills in yards, neither would have made a large impact in scoring - Brown and Beasley combined for eight touchdowns in 2018.

So what did the Bills do to increase the scoring effort on the part of their receivers? Look no further than David Sills. As a team in 2018, the Bills caught 13 touchdown passes. Individually, in 2018, David Sills caught 15 touchdowns. In 2017, Buffalo’s lone playoff season since 1999, the Bills caught 16 touchdown passes. David Sills caught 18 touchdowns that same season at West Virginia.

Yes, the college game is much different than the pros. Many times college stars come to the NFL and fall flat on their face, but that won’t be the case with David Sills. Sills has the physical tools to be effective for Buffalo, especially in the red zone.

Sills was virtually unstoppable in red zone situations in college, part of the season he led the nation with 18 TD catches in 2017. At 6’4, Sills already ranks as the Bills’ tallest receiving target, standing a full eight inches taller than WR addition Cole Beasley, and five inches taller than recent signee John Brown.

So while the Buffalo Bills will have solid options for a deep threat - John Brown - and a reliable target in the slot - Cole Beasley - the Bills were in search for a big, strong receiver that is capable of going up and winning 50/50 balls, especially in the red zone. Fortunately for Buffalo, the search begins and ends with David Sills out of West Virginia. Bills Mafia and West Virginia fans won’t be surprised to see Sills making plays on the field for Buffalo this fall, and neither should you.