The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms with 12 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2024 NFL Draft. All of them participated in rookie minicamp, where the coaching staff received their first on-field look at their class.
Half of Buffalo’s undrafted players are offensive and defensive linemen, where the Bills have terrific depth on the roster. It’s former San Diego State punter Jack Browning who has the most straightforward path to the 53-man roster.
Browning walked on at San Diego State after initially beginning his collegiate career at Grossmont College. He was eventually awarded a scholarship by the Aztecs. Browning averaged 45.8 yards per punt in two seasons. He punted on 122 total occasions and placed 50 punts inside the opposition's 20-yard line. Browning had 35 punts travel 50-plus yards, 41 punts resulting in a fair catch, and nine touchbacks.
Browning pulled double duty as San Diego State's starting placekicker over the previous two campaigns. He possesses a powerful leg, setting a Mountain West record for the conference's longest field goal with a 61-yarder against Air Force in 2023. Browning converted 35-of-47 field goals and 53-of-53 extra point attempts. Browning was a Second-Team All-Mountain West selection. The Bills announced the Browning signing with a punter designation, so indications are he won't be competing as a kicker.
Browning will attempt to push starting Bills punter Sam Martin for the job. It's easy to understand why Bills general manager Brandon Beane is welcoming competition at the position after Martin had a lackluster campaign in 2023. Martin handled all 51 of Buffalo's punts throughout the season and the Bills averaged a 28th-ranked 45.8 yards per punt. Martin placed a 21st-ranked 24 punts inside the opposition's 20-yard line. Martin's punts only resulted in 17 fair catches all season long.
Martin is a 12-year pro who's effectiveness has begun waning. His 45.8 yards per punt average throughout 2023 was his lowest output since 2019, and his net average of 39.9 was his lowest since 2018. With NFL general managers consistently looking to get younger and cheaper at every position, now may be the ideal time for Beane to cut ties with Martin.
Where Browning may have the toughest time dethroning Martin is as the holder for kicker Tyler Bass. Martin has served as Bass' primary holder on field goal attempts. Although it's worth acknowledging Bass converted just 82.8% of his field goals last season after posting marks of 87.1% and 87.5% across 2021 and 2022, so perhaps Bills special teams coach Matthew Smiley will consider making a change to their process.
It's critical that Browning builds chemistry with Bass as his potential holder if he's to defeat Martin for a 53-man roster spot. It'll be somewhat unfamiliar territory for Browning, who obviously wasn't holding at San Diego State given that he attempted 47 total field goals in 2022 and 2023. It's the most underrated aspect of his upcoming head-to-head battle with Martin.
A shrewd addition in undrafted free agency, Browning possesses a terrific opportunity to be Buffalo's starting punter next season.