Two University of Buffalo longshots defy the odds and make initial Buffalo Bills 53-man roster
The Buffalo Bills have made a flurry of moves to get down to the 53-man roster, and notably, a pair of undrafted free agents that played their college ball at University of Buffalo have made the team – CB Ja'Marcus Ingram, and LB "Buffalo Joe" Andreessen. Buffalo Joe has made the roster It's easily the […]
The Buffalo Bills have made a flurry of moves to get down to the 53-man roster, and notably, a pair of undrafted free agents that played their college ball at University of Buffalo have made the team – CB Ja'Marcus Ingram, and LB "Buffalo Joe" Andreessen.
Buffalo Joe has made the roster
It's easily the coolest story of the year for the Buffalo Bills, and arguably around the entire NFL. Joe Andreessen, a local kid that grew up in a suburb of Buffalo, who played his high school ball just 20 minutes from Highmark Stadium, has made the team.
An undrafted free agent, he was invited for a try out during Rookie Mini Camp back in May. Ever since then, he has been inevitable. He continues to pop on film, led the team in tackles throughout the preseason, and carries himself the right way. He'll factor in as a depth linebacker, but more than that, he becomes a local legend for kids in Western New York.
Who knows, someday maybe he'll get a crack at the starting lineup.
With injuries at the linebacker position, having depth will be crucial. There absolutely could come a time when Andreessen will hear his name called, and his ability to read, react, and fly to the ball will be paramount.
Ja'Marcus Ingram looked great in preseason action
After the 2022 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills signed cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram as an undrafted free agent out of University of Buffalo. This year, Ingram is making the 53-man roster after a standout preseason. For Ingram, he's been patient and has stayed consistent in his work and in his progress. Seeing the organization develop a young player like this and reward him for his efforts is great to see.
Ingram was truly one of the bright spots of the preseason, seeing consistent work and flashing in coverage and as a tackler in his opportunities. He has good length at 6'1", and was constantly flying to the ball to support.
Ingram flashed in their first preseason game against the Chicago Bears, lining up against true pro wide receivers in D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen. He more than held his own, blanketing them in coverage and showcasing good abilities to jam receivers off the line of scrimmage.
Two weeks ago, head coach Sean McDermott had this to say about Ingram:
"Well, he practices the same way," McDermott said when asked about why Ingram has been able to perform in key moments. "His teammates love him. They respect him for the way he works and all the work he puts in physically, all the work he puts in on the mental part of the game, and I'm just real proud of him. Very impressed."
Ingram has appeared in five games for the Bills over the last two seasons.
Ingram one of six cornerbacks to make the final roster
If you include Taron Johnson at nickel, the Bills will be rostering six cornerbacks on the initial 53-man roster, and I don't expect this group to change much. The group was exactly how I predicted it, and it seems to be taking shape.
They'll roll out Christian Benford at left cornerback, Rasul Douglas at right cornerback, Taron Johnson at nickel, while having 2022 first-round pick Kaiir Elam and Ja'Marcus Ingram as the next guys up, with rookie Daequan Hardy locked in as the primary return man and sixth corner. It's arguably the strongest position group on the Bills roster.
Bills roster cuts tracker 2024: Here is every move Buffalo has made on their way to trim down to 53 players
Let the roster moves begin.
Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp.
