The Buffalo Bills are adding more talent to their rookie minicamp, extending an invite to a quarterback who just ended a record-setting college career.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson noted that the Bills extended a minicamp invite to Southeast Missouri quarterback Paxton DeLaurent. The Bills did not draft or sign a quarterback and will need an arm for drills at minicamp, with DeLaurent getting the chance to show off his stuff in the hopes of earning an NFL contract.
Paxton DeLaurent Had Successful College Career
DeLaurent had a successful three seasons at SEMO, setting a program record with 8,563 career passing yards and 63 passing touchdowns. As Luke Randle of KFVS reported, the 6-foot-5 quarterback went undrafted after spending much of the offseason rehabbing a lingering injury.
“DeLaurent spent much of the offseason rehabbing from a shoulder injury he sustained in the Redhawks’ 2024 season opener,” Randle reported. “During the offseason, DeLaurent also participated in Mizzou’s Pro Day with fellow SEMO teammate Dorian Anderson, a Pro Day that had scouts from all 32 NFL teams present.”
DeLaurent also received an invite from the Kansas City Chiefs to throw at their minicamp, and it was not clear yet whether he would accept both invites or pick one over the other. Rookie minicamp represents an important opportunity for undrafted players to show off their skills in hopes of earning an NFL contract.
The Bills have found success with these invites in the past. Last year, University of Buffalo linebacker Joe Andreessen earned a rookie minicamp invite and impressed the team enough to get a contract. After turning heads during training camp and the preseason, Andreesseen was added to the team’s final roster and played an important role on special teams last season.
The Bills went heavy on defense in the NFL draft, using six of their nine picks on that side of the ball, but have added talent on offense in undrafted free agency.
Bills Looking at Another Rookie Quarterback
DeLaurent is now the second quarterback to get a rookie minicamp invite from the Bills. Ryan Talbot of Syracuse.com reported that the team also extended an invitation to Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma. Talbot wrote that there was “a ton of interest league-wide” in Elgersma, who was also invited to play at the Green Bay Packers’ rookie minicamp.
Though Elgersma went undrafted, he was able to generate some NFL buzz after a strong season and impressive performances at the Senior Bowl, Sportsnet reported.
“As the NFL Draft process began to ramp up, Elgersma made history by becoming the first Canadian university QB to be invited and play in the Senior Bowl — the premier annual All-Star event for the top seniors at the college level,” the report noted. “He impressed scouts and coaches with his natural arm talent and frame — six-foot-five, 220 pounds.”
It could be difficult for either DeLaurent or Elgersma to find a spot with the Bills, who already have a crowded quarterback room behind starter Josh Allen. The Bills appear set with former No. 2 overall pick Mitch Trubisky as the backup, with fellow veteran Mike White vying with practice squad quarterback Shane Buechele to serve as the third-stringer.
Bills Give Invite to Record-Setting QB After 8,500-Yard College Career