DE Ray, Out of NFL Since 2019, Signs with Bills
The Buffalo Bills have signed defensive end Shane Ray, who has been without a team since the 2019 NFL season. The Bills are hoping Ray can help them improve their pass rush after a disappointing 2020 season. Let’s take a closer look at Ray’s background and what he can bring to the Bills.
Who Is Shane Ray?
Shane Ray was born in 1993 in Kansas City, Missouri. He played college football at the University of Missouri, where he was a standout edge rusher. Ray was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, he played in all 16 games and recorded four sacks.
Ray’s best season came in 2016, when he started eight games for the Broncos and had eight sacks. However, his production declined in the following seasons, and he was ultimately released by the Broncos after the 2018 season. Ray signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 but was released before the regular season began.
What Can Ray Bring to the Bills?
Although Ray has not played in the NFL since 2019, he is still only 28 years old and has shown promise as a pass rusher. The Bills are hoping he can provide depth at the defensive end position and compete for playing time behind starters Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison.
Ray has the ability to get after the quarterback and disrupt passing plays. During his best season in 2016, he showed that he can be a productive pass rusher when given the opportunity. If he can regain that form, he could be a valuable asset for the Bills defense.
Additionally, Ray has experience playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme, which is similar to the defensive system that the Bills run under head coach Sean McDermott. This should help him pick up the playbook quickly and adjust to his new team.
Conclusion
The Bills are taking a low-risk, high-reward approach by signing Shane Ray. If he can return to form and provide an additional pass-rushing threat, he could help the team improve upon their 2020 record and potentially compete for a Super Bowl. At the very least, he adds depth and competition to the defensive end position, which is always a positive for any NFL team.