It is often said that at the end of the draft, you should not hesitate to take a risk on a player with high potential, even if his career path is not typical. The Buffalo Bills took this approach to the extreme by opting for a player who has never played football.
In the seventh and final round of the draft on Saturday, Josh Allen’s gang used the 221st pick to select Travis Clayton, identified as a blocker.
Clayton is a former England rugby player who has no experience with the helmet, shoulder pads or oval ball.
His only contact with the world of football was through the NFL’s international program (NFL International Player Pathway Program), a ten-day camp held every winter.
“Rugby is also a team sport and I think that can really help me. I like the physical side. Being on the offensive line, you can take out your rage on others in a legal way, which is very good,” he said, via the Bills’ official website.
A successful example
Jordan Mailata paved the way for inexperienced international players, he who shines with the Eagles. Getty Images via AFP
In the past, the Philadelphia Eagles opted for this strategy with their blocker Jordan Mailata, also a former rugby player who was selected in the seventh round.
He has since become an important cog on the offensive line, starting 57 games over the last four seasons at left tackle. In the last weeks, he signed a three-year contract extension for 66 million.
Still, it’s a prayer and other players with little or no experience haven’t had as much success in the past.
“I never really saw him [Travis Clayton] play soccer. All I know is that he played rugby and is a good young man. His physical tests are impressive,” said Bills general manager Brandon Beane.
At 6’7″ and 301 pounds, Clayton recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.79 seconds. The Bills said they haven’t seen an NFL offensive lineman do that much in 10 years.
A trend?
It is reasonable to wonder if what is currently anecdotal will not become a trend.
In March, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that they had hired another rugby player, Louis Rees-Zammit, who also went through the NFL’s international program. He will try to carve out a place as a running back.
The Miami Dolphins are also giving Bayron Matos a chance, a basketball player from the Dominican Republic, who has never played football and who will try to break into their offensive line.
Each club now has the right to benefit from an additional player on its reserve team if this player comes from the international program. More and more teams will go fishing.
2024-04-30 15:36:55
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