Sometimes it's not the big moves that pay off the most for NFL teams. In some cases, the moves involving role players can make a biggest difference. The Buffalo Bills are hoping that is the case with the signing of wide receiver Marcell Ateman.
Ateman played with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL this season, and he caught 19 passes for 259 yards. While Ateman does not project as a superstar, he will have a chance to be a solid possession receiver for quarterback Josh Allen in the upcoming season. Ateman is a 6-4, 215-pound pass catcher who played his college football at Oklahoma State.
Prior to his stint in the XFL, Ateman played with the Raiders in the NFL, both in Oakland and Las Vegas. He caught 15 passes for 154 yards and 1 touchdown in the 2018 season, and 5 passes for 116 yards the following season. He was on the roster in 2019 but he did not catch any passes.
Ateman was a 7th-round pick for the Raiders, and after he was released, he was in camp with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.
During his college career with the Cowboys, he earned second-team All-Big 12 status when he caught 59 passes for 1,156 yards and 8 touchdowns.
The thought of working with Allen has to be a strong motivator for Ateman since the quarterback has one of the strongest arms in the league. Allen threw for 4,283 yards last season with 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Marcel Ateman may be able to take some pressure off Stefon Diggs, who led the Bills with 108 receptions last season. Gabe Davis and Dawson Knox each had 48 reception, tying for second on the Bills.
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