The Buffalo Bills have a surprise in their backfield through the first week and a half of training camp, but the impressive performance might still not be enough to earn a roster spot.
The Bills added some depth to their running back position this offseason, signing former UFL standout and United Bowl MVP back Ian Wheeler. He earned some good marks so far in training camp, but faces a roster crunch in the backfield and could see the practice squad as his only opportunity to stick with the team.
Ian Wheeler Looking Good so Far
As reporter Ryan Miller of the Democrat & Chronicle reported, Wheeler has made some impressive plays during 11-on-11 drills at the team’s training camp at St. John Fisher University, outside Rochester, New York.
“Wheeler showed some of what caught Buffalo’s attention during Tuesday’s practice, turning a short catch into a long gain as he weaved through the defense and accelerated up the left sideline during 11-on-11 drills,” Miller wrote.
Miller noted that Wheeler earned praise from new head coach Joe Brady.
“Man, he’s extremely bright,” Brady said. “There’s nothing Ian’s done that I’m like, this guy feels out of place where he’s struggling to learn. It’s been pretty impressive.”
Wheeler said it’s been a challenge to adjust, saying the team’s playbook is just as hard as the organic chemistry he studied at Howard University.
“This is hard because with organic, it is what it is. But here, you’ve got to kind of be able to adjust on the fly,” Wheeler said. “Especially this playbook. This playbook is one of the more challenging playbooks I’ve come across, especially because I’ve been thrown in the fire.”
Ian Wheeler Facing Roster Challenges
Despite the strong performances and praise from Brady, Wheeler could still face a significant challenge in aiming for a roster spot. The Bills have the top three spots on the depth chart set, with reigning rushing title holder James Cook at the top and key reserves Ray Davis and Ty Johnson behind him.
The Bills are expected to keep a fullback, which The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia predicted would be Jackson Acker. Buscaglia predicted at the start of training camp that Wheeler would miss the final cut.
“It appears the Bills will go with the trio of Cook, Davis and Johnson for a third straight season,” Buscaglia wrote. ” Whether their roles are as defined under Joe Brady as head coach as they were in the last two seasons remains to be seen. The Bills likely will have a new fullback on the 53-man roster this season, filling the role vacated by Reggie Gilliam. I gave the edge to Acker, the undrafted rookie out of Wisconsin, because he has the advantage of being on a three-year deal, is a restricted free agent after that and has more guaranteed money than the veteran free-agent pickup Ben VanSumeren.”
That leaves Wheeler competing with two-year practice squad veteran Frank Gore Jr., who has turned in some impressive performances in past training camp and preseason opportunities.
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