Bills sign UDFA LB after previous tryout, waive OT Tommy Doyle

The Buffalo Bills have signed undrafted free agent linebacker Shayne Simon as OTAs continue at One Bills Drive.

Oct 14, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Shayne Simon (32) reacts after a defensive stop against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 38-21. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Bills have added another member to their 2024 undrafted free agent class, signing linebacker Shayne Simon ahead of Tuesday’s OTA practice. The team waived 26-year-old offensive lineman Tommy Doyle in a corresponding roster move.

A four-star recruit out of high school, Simon initially committed to Notre Dame, notching 26 tackles and five pass deflections throughout his time with the team. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the first game of the Fighting Irish’s 2021 season, transferring to Pittsburgh ahead of the 2022 campaign. He was an impactful linebacker for the Panthers, tallying 94 tackles, eight pass deflections, and seven sacks in two seasons.

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He primarily shined as a coverage defender at Pitt, earning a 90.8 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus in the 2022 season. Rangy sideline-to-sideline linebackers typically find success in Buffalo’s defense (look no further than Terrel Bernard and former All-Pro Matt Milano), and Simon, on paper, has the profile of the type of linebacker the team generally covets; he earned an 8.05 out of 10 relative athletic score during the predraft process.

Shayne Simon is a LB prospect in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.05 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 563 out of 2889 LB from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/tLJko6ItyA pic.twitter.com/iKqfrZYiG7

— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 22, 2024

An obvious long shot to make the roster, Simon best projects as an athletic developmental piece and potential practice squad member for the Bills. He's obviously made an impression on them, as Simon initially tried out for the team at its May rookie minicamp.

Buffalo moved on from Doyle to free up a spot on the roster; a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Doyle never consistently got on the field throughout his short stint with the team. He’ll be best remembered for catching a touchdown pass in the Bills’ 2021 Wild Card round win over the New England Patriots.