The Bills selected a player in the NFL Draft who has never played football; he stands at 6-foot-7 and can sprint a 4.79-second 40-yard dash.
Ex-Welsh rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit is giving it a go with the Kansas City Chiefs this season as he switches sports this year.
There are notable cases of successful transitions from rugby to the NFL. Jordan Mailata is a prime example, having become a top offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles after changing from rugby league.
Recently, the Buffalo Bills drafter someone who they think will follow in Mailata's footsteps, despite not playing a single football match.
In the seventh round, with the 221st overall pick, the Bills chose Travis Clayton, a former UK rugby player. He's part of the 16-man International Player Pathway program that allows athletes from around the world to try and make it to the NFL.
Standing at 6'7" and weighing 303 pounds, Clayton has impressive measurements. He can also cover 40 yards in 4.79 seconds.
General Manager of the Bills, Brandon Beane, was impressed, stating that "his measurements are – wow – off the page."
Clayton played for Basingstoke Rugby club, who compete in the Counties 2 Hampshire Division, the eighth level of English rugby. After his drafting, the club posted on social media (previously known as Twitter), congratulating Clayton and expressing pride.
Although his football experience is minimal, Clayton feels his rugby background will help him adapt to his new sport.
"With rugby also being a team sport, I believe that helps enormously, my team knowledge and what it takes to communicate properly here and in the future, hopefully in the NFL," Clayton shared. "More importantly, playing the wing in rugby helps with the physicality side and with agility and things like that will come in handy."
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein believes Clayton's future in the league depends on "his toughness and a team's ability to provide him with the necessary reps to keep improving at his craft" due to his lack of experience. But he also notes Clayton's positives, such as being a "above-average athlete with a seven-foot wingspan" and having "fluidity and a clean change of direction."
Despite his inexperience, the Bills hope Clayton will follow in the footsteps of Jordan Mailata and make a significant impact on the field.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
