During training camp at St. John Fisher University, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Ed Oliver painted the perfect picture to describe Deone Walker.
“If you could take a bear and put ballerina legs on him,” Oliver said of his description of Walker. “He literally is a dancing bear.”
The 6-foot-7-inch, 345-pound dancing bear was on full display in the Bills’ preseason finale.
Walker opened the game, blowing past an offensive lineman to force Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask to run backwards on a screen pass. In doing so, the Bills were able to stop the pass attempt for a loss. He proceeded to fill a gap on a run attempt by Sean Tucker. Needless to say, Tucker was not able to get past the massive defensive tackle. Walker would go on to add a sack on Trask and later chased down wide receiver Tez Johnson on a short pass.
Although no real snaps have taken place, Walker is looking like an absolute steal for Buffalo through the summer. Considering how much the Bills like to rotate their defensive linemen, Walker is making his case for a sizable role in 2025.
Who else impressed for Buffalo in their 23-19 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Here’s our list of players who stood out and those who likely wish they had another opportunity before roster cutdown day on Tuesday, August 26.
STOCK UP
S Cole Bishop: Cole Bishop looked like a player trying to shake off some rust last week in Buffalo’s preseason matchup against the Bears. There was no rust on Saturday night against the Buccaneers.
Bishop let his instincts take over in the preseason finale, which enabled him to play at a faster pace. The second-year safety flew to the football to make immediate tackles and create a pass breakup. It was exactly the type of performance that Bills fans were hoping to see ahead of Week 1.
WR Tyrell Shavers: Tyrell Shavers had another strong summer for the Bills. That carried over to the preseason as a receiver and on special teams. Shavers made two grabs in the game, including a one-handed touchdown grab that may have put his name in Sharpie on the 53-man roster.
K Tyler Bass: The Bills were hopeful that Tyler Bass would be ready to kick in the preseason finale after dealing with pelvic soreness since the end of July. Sure enough, Bass returned.
He was perfect until late in the fourth quarter when he missed a short field goal to the right. He finished the night converting three of four field goal attempts and was perfect on extra points (2-of-2).
The miss was not ideal, but getting Bass back ahead of Week 1 was good news.
P Zach Davidson: Usually just a tight end, Zach Davidson also had the opportunity to punt on Saturday night against the Buccaneers, with Brad Robbins being under the weather. Davidson was a punter with the Central Missouri Mules before transitioning to tight end, and it showed.
Davidson boomed a 62-yard punt on his first attempt and added a 42-yard punt later that pinned the Buccaneers inside their own 15-yard line.
QB Shane Buechele: Buechele was never in the mix for the Bills’ backup job, but the quarterback impressed against the Buccaneers. He was composed and accurate throughout the night and used his legs when needed.
Buechele completed 25-of-30 pass attempts for 278 yards and one touchdown. He added 21 yards on four scrambles.
LB Jimmy Ciarlo: Ciarlo seems to have a nose for the football. He recovered a fumble that was forced by cornerback Zy Alexander in the win and was around the ball throughout the evening. His biggest play may have been a run stuff at the goal line on a two-point conversion attempt with less than two minutes remaining in the game. He finished with five tackles.
Ciarlo has not been in Buffalo long, but he made a lasting impression. The linebacker is a lock for the practice squad and could even be a surprise for the 53-man roster.
STOCK DOWN
WR Curtis Samuel: Curtis Samuel practiced all week, leading some to believe that he would play in the preseason finale after missing extensive time this summer with a hamstring injury.
That did not happen as Samuel did not travel with the team due to illness. He may end up being safe regarding making the final roster, but he did nothing this summer to earn one of the wide receiver spots.
Bills’ special teams kickoff coverage unit: Special teams play goes a long way in making final rosters across the league. Buffalo’s coverage unit did itself no favors in the preseason finale.
The Buccaneers had 190 yards on five kickoff returns (38.0 YPR average) in the game.
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