All for Tennessee
Fansided

3 Takeaways from the Buffalo Bills Signing Former Tennessee Vols TE Jason Croom After the NFL Draft

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) runs after a reception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom (18) runs after a reception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Former Tennessee Volunteers tight end Jason Croom wasn’t taken in the NFL Draft, but he signed with the Buffalo Bills. Here are three takeaways.

Jason Croom’s disappointing fifth-year senior campaign as a tight end in 2016 with the Vols meant it was unlikely he would get drafted. However, he still has a chance for a productive career after signing with the Buffalo Bills.

It’s easy to explain Croom’s struggles last year, especially the ones that happened early on. For starters, he was coming back from a season-ending injury in 2015. On top of that, he was converting to tight end. And he had to split time at that position with Ethan Wolf.

And while he has the right size and speed to be a huge mismatch at tight end, he never really settled into the position. However, the potential is clearly there, which is why an NFL team was bound to take a chance on him.

Here are three takeaways from the Buffalo Bills signing Jason Croom.

1. Jason Croom likely won’t see any playing time this year.

The Buffalo Bills are pretty set at tight end for now. They have three guys under contract in Blake Annen, Nick O’Leary, and Charles Clay. Clay is the clear starter and main tight end, and O’Leary is still the second stringer.

On top of that, Logan Thomas has converted from quarterback to tight end, so that leaves the roster deep at this position. It wouldn’t spell good news for Croom except for one thing…

2. Could Jason Croom convert back to wide receiver? 

This is a possibility considering the fact that the Buffalo Bills drafted him. Receiver is a position of need, and as we said, the Buffalo Bills are loaded at tight end. Obviously, as a diverse player, they maybe liked Croom because they could mix him in to fill either need.

Of course, making the team is still a major uphill climb for Croom, but at 6’5″ and over 240 pounds, he’d be a huge target at wide receiver and a major mismatch for lots of teams. However, amidst all this, there’s still a great chance he stays at tight end because…

More from All for Tennessee

3. Jason Croom has a great chance to play at tight end in 2018 if he makes the roster.

The Buffalo Bills may be loaded at tight end with three guys on the roster and a converted quarterback. However, only Charles Clay is on there after 2018. That would mean there’s potentially a wide open spot for the No. 2 tight end on the depth chart.

And if Jason Croom can prove himself throughout this year, there’s a decent chance he takes that spot. After all, the Bills didn’t take any tight ends in the NFL Draft. They’re clearly thinking about the future as well with Rex Ryan gone and Sean McDermott taking over. That might give Croom a bit of leeway. But he’s got work to do.

Home/Vols Football