The Buffalo Bills made some roster trims before opening up training camp, parting ways with a rookie wide receiver who was hoping to build on a standout college season to make a bid for the roster.
The team announced on July 22 that they waived Kelly Akharaiyi, a former Mississippi State wide receiver who joined the team as an undrafted free agent. Though Akharaiyi had turned some heads at his pro day, he was only expected to compete for a spot on the practice squad and now must start over with a new NFL team.
Kelly Akharaiyi Showed Promise Despite Shortcomings
The 6-foot, 201-pound Akharaiyi earned a reputation in college for being a strong receiver despite lacking speed. A pre-draft profile from NFL.com predicted he would compete for a spot at the end of an NFL roster or on a practice squad — as long as he shored up some of his deficiencies.
“Well-built, speed-deficient receiver who might need to bump inside as a possession slot to have a fighting chance as a pro,” NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein noted. “Akharaiyi had only one season of impressive FBS production and that came at UTEP in 2023. He lacks the suddenness to consistently separate underneath and wonât outrace NFL cornerbacks down the field. He needs to keep making strides as a route-runner and win contested catches at a higher rate to become a functional NFL target.”
Akharaiyi notched 1,699 receiving yards in three college seasons, though the majority of the production came in his final season at UTEP in 2023 when he racked up 48 receptions for 1,033 yards and seven touchdowns.
Bills Add New Wide Receiver, Tight End
As they waived Akharaiyi, the Bills also brought on a pair of new pass-catchers, signing wide receiver David White Jr. and tight end Matt Sokol just before training camp opened on Wednesday.
The team noted that White spent the 2024 season with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was stuck on the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL in June.
“White originally joined Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent out of Western Carolina in 2024,” the team noted. “In two seasons with Western Carolina, White caught 54 passes for 903 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He is from Jacksonville, Fla.”
Sokol could have an immediate role on the team after veteran tight end Dawson Knox was placed on the non-football injured list. While he is not expected to remain sidelined for a long stretch, Sokol will add some important depth in the meantime.
The Bills have made some big changes to their wide receiving corps this season, bringing in a trio of veterans expected to take on significant roles in Elijah Moore, Joshua Palmer, and Laviskha Shenault Jr. The Bills are one season removed from a major shakeup in their wide receiver room when they traded top receiver Stefon Diggs and allowed No. 2 Gabe Davis to leave in free agency.
The team instead adopted an approach they termed “everybody eats,” looking for all members to step up as they spread the targets around to a wider group of receivers, tight ends, and running backs.
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