The Buffalo Bills gave up a late-round draft pick to acquire wide receiver Mike Williams from the Buccaneers and guaranteed his $1.7 million salary. That would seem to guarantee Williams' spot on the team's roster, but he's struggling to carve out a role at the moment.
ESPN.com's Mike Rodak listed Williams as one of the team's "fallers" during OTA season, noting that he didn't display any special athletic traits. Rodak also openly wondered if Williams' spot on the roster was safe. Chris Hogan has been lining up as the team's starting slot receiver, meaning that Williams could slide behind Sammy Watkins and Robert Woods on the outside.
It would be a surprise if Williams didn't make the team, but Rodak points out how crowded the Bills' receiver position is. Robert Woods has reportedly had the best rapport with quarterback EJ Manuel all offseason. He didn't drop a pass all of last season, and that streak has continued this offseason. Watkins has been up and down in OTAs, but the No. 4 overall pick is obviously a starter. Marquise Goodwin and Marcus Easley are expected to make the team, so Rodak believes that Williams could be battling Hogan and T.J. Graham for a roster spot.
This could come back to Hogan. The man named "7-11" on the Miami Dolphins' season of Hard Knocks tends to inspire hype in non-contact practices, but there's no reason to think he's a better NFL talent than Williams.
In the latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast," the heroes talk "Hard Knocks" before delving into a new batch of rookie whispers.