Duke Williams is what seems to be the 2019 version of something the Bills have had in recent years.
The Bills lack an elite wide receiver on their roster and instead are sporting a deeper, well-rounded unit highlighted by John Brown and Cole Beasley this year. This has been the case in the team’s recent history, not just in 2019, so the fan base often gravitates to backups or practice squad players that could have potential.
After all, nobody is more popular in Buffalo than the backup goalie or quarterback, right?
But Williams, as of late, hasn’t gotten his chance to show if he truly could turn into something. Over the past eight games, he’s been inactive after scoring a touchdown earlier this year in some playing time.
The 26-year-old could certainly be bitter about that, but he’s not at all. He’s looking at the big picture.
“I’m not going to ever be mad for not playing,” Williams told the team’s website. “I could still be ungrateful and be at home doing nothing but I’m here doing what I love and that’s what it is. I’m not mad at all.”
“End of the day I’m just thankful to be in this locker room with these guys,” Williams added.
Once a highly-touted prospect for the Auburn Tigers in college, he found himself in trouble off the field which led to his stock dropping once he eventually got to the NFL. He briefly spent time on the Rams’ practice squad as an undrafted rookie, but had to rejuvenate his career in the CFL. Now that he’s back, Williams appears to have changed his mindset for the better. He’s still young and could have opportunities in the future. And near future.
It’s unclear exactly how much, if at all, Williams will play for the Bills in Week 17, but he should see his first chance in awhile to get out there. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said this week a “majority” of the team’s starters will play, to some extent, against the Jets in a meaningless contest. The Bills already have their position in the playoffs locked in place.
But with that, not bringing in Williams and risking injury to impact players would be an insane move, so expect to see him at some point.
In three games this season, Williams has notched six catches for 58 yards including his game-winning score in Week 5 against the Titans.
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