The Bills have essentially been using their tight ends as extra offensive linemen because they don’t throw the ball much to them.  6′4″, 255 pound veteran Robert Royal will be the starter for the Bills in 2008.  He played in 16 games (15 starts) for the Bills last season and he caught 25 passes for 248 yards (9.9 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  Don’t expect numbers better than that in 2008 as the Bills will be looking to throw to other players in the passing game.  Royal has now played in 67 games (59 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 79 passes for 730 yards (9.2 avg) with 11 TD grabs.

2nd year man Derek Schouman has converted to TE from fullback and he is currently #2 on the Bills’ depth chart at the position.  He is 6′2″, 247 pounds and he has good hands and is a solid blocker.  He played in 3 games (1 start) last season for the Bills and he caught 3 passes for 19 yards (6.3 avg) as a rookie.

Rookie Derek Fine could move up the depth chart quickly if he plays well in training camp and the pre season.  Fine is 6′3″, 245 pounds but he runs a 4.8 40 so don’t expect a lot of long pass plays out of him.  Fine played in 13 games (10 starts) last season for Kansas and he caught 46 passes for 394 yards (8.6 avg) with 4 TD grabs.  Fine finished up his career at Kansas having played in 48 games (33 starts) and he caught 98 passes for 1,009 yards (10.3 avg) with 10 TD grabs.

6′6″, 270 pound veteran Courtney Anderson will try to work his way up the depth chart before the season begins.  He played in 4 games (0 starts) last season for the Lions and Falcons and he didn’t catch a pass for either team.  Anderson has now played in 43 games (28 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 62 passes for 763 yards (12.3 avg) with 6 TD grabs.  He could surprise this season if he’s healthy and focused.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2008 SEASON:  D