Buffalo Bills Have Been in 'Constant Contact' With Hometown Draft Target

The Buffalo Bills may look to Day 3 or the pool of undrafted free agents for depth at linebacker. Buffalo Bulls linebacker Joe Andreessen could be a fit.

Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills staff members carry helmets onto he / Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills may find themselves in the market for additional linebacker depth in this year’s NFL Draft.

Their solution may be hiding in their backyard.

Buffalo Bulls linebacker Joe Andreessen may fit the billing as the Bills’ next linebacker after Tyrel Dodson was lost to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. 

Andreessen is a standout athlete who has significantly helped himself out during the pre-draft circuit. Being just 6-foot makes him a tad bit undersized but he isn’t lacking in the weight or strength departments, weighing in at 240 pounds and putting up 32 reps on the bench.

Sep 17, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Tyrel Dodson (25). / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

His 4.65-second 40-yard dash won’t top the linebacker leaderboard, but it's surpassed by elite short-area quickness that can help carve out a role at the next level. 

In an interview with The Draft Network, Andreessen gave insight into his pre-draft process and potential interest from NFL teams. 

“I’ve had a bunch of Zoom and in-person interviews. I’ve filled out some surveys. I had about nine interviews at the College Gridiron Showcase,” Andreessen said. “The Jaguars, Eagles, Steelers, 49ers, and Bills showed some good interest there. The Bills have been in constant contact. I also spoke with them after my Pro Day. I’ll be at their local thing as well.”

Andreessen’s 38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump were both elite for his position and translate well to breaking on balls over the middle of the field. Andreessen prides himself on stopping the run, though, especially in an era where his peers tend to be geared towards covering tight ends and running backs.

At the very least, he has the physical traits to do both in the NFL.

He also spoke about what he can bring to the team that drafts him or signs him as an undrafted free agent, which may be in the cards as a small-school athlete.

“You’re going to get a great person and a great teammate,” he said. “You can ask my teammates and coaches – even the ones that were around me for one season at Buffalo. Or if you ask people at Bryant [where he played before transferring] about me, I’m held in fairly high regard.

“That’s what I focus on first and foremost, being a good person and a good teammate. I also want to be the best football player I can be. I’m an extremely hard worker. I’lll do what it takes to help the team win.”

If Buffalo isn’t done adding to the linebacker corps after the acquisition of Nicholas Morrow, a local prospect with an intriguing athletic profile is a solid option to round out the roster.