Three veteran players were added by the Buffalo Bills on Friday to strengthen their roster’s back end. Defensive end Dawuane Smoot, linebacker Deion Jones, and wide receiver Chase Claypool were all signed by the organization to one-year contracts. The deals’ terms were not immediately known.
It was reported that Jones, 29, signed yesterday. Although the team has officially announced his signing, we covered him when the news first surfaced. At best, Jones is a capable veteran with a ton of starting experience who, given his athletic profile and skill at pass coverage, could be a useful member of the team in an emergency. In the worst case scenario, Jones is an experienced player on his fourth team in as many seasons, hoping to hang onto a spot toward the bottom of an NFL roster or continue as a seasoned practice squad member.
Smoot, 29, has spent his whole professional career with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was chosen by the team in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, with the 68th overall pick. In 99 career games, 17 of which were starts, he has amassed 23.5 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, and 64 quarterback hits. He’s not a showy player, but he’s a reliable experienced depth option who can be counted on to maintain pressure on the quarterback. He fits the mold of Shaq Lawson. Although he isn’t a very impressive player, he is a reliable experienced depth player who can be counted on to maintain pressure on the quarterback for 15 to 20 snaps each week.
In the 2020 NFL Draft, Claypool, 25, was selected No. 49 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, their previous second-round selection. Standing at 6’4″ and about 240 pounds, he physically fits the mold of the typical, big-bodied “X” receiver. Still, his career has been tainted by very inconsistent work and efficacy. Following a stellar rookie campaign in which he hauled in 62 passes for 873 yards and nine scores, Claypool has had some inconsistent play. In 2022, the Steelers traded him to the Chicago Bears, where he appeared in just ten games before being dealt in exchange for a draft pick to the Miami Dolphins. Although the terms of the one-year contracts are unknown, it is reasonable to presume that they are all at or near the veteran’s minimum, possibly with incentives for performance and playing time. We will update as soon as contract details are made available.
