Skyler Bell and Joe Fagnano are turning heads for the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, respectively. The two most recent NFL Combine invitees from UConn are having a great preseason so far.
A groin injury delayed Bell’s debut until the final week of the preseason. But his performance in that game has Bills fans thinking about another similarly sized receiver who was a huge playmaker for them a few years ago, Stefon Diggs.
On Thursday night against the Steelers, the fourth-round pick caught seven
passes for 49 yards and took a jet sweep 28 yards to the house. It was a very familiar experience for UConn fans, but still a tremendous joy to see in an NFL uniform.
“Once the ball got in his hands, you felt the speed and he made the most of it,” Bills head coach Joe Brady said, according to the team site.
Bell is all-but a lock to make the final 53-man roster and should have a chance to break out on a team with a great quarterback in Josh Allen that’s looking for a top target.
Fagnano is his team’s leading preseason passer, with starter Lamar Jackson sitting the entire way and backup Tyler Huntley getting light action. He has looked sharp since his debut against the Eagles two weeks ago and has been over 75 percent completion with a touchdown in each of his two outings.
Fagnano will have his final shot to lock up a roster spot or practice squad QB3 role tonight at 6 p.m. against Washington.
“Joe came in, second week in a row, and managed the offense really well,” Ravens head coach Jesse Minter said, according to Sports Illustrated’s Jason La Confora. “He got us down there a few times, and he made some key plays throwing the ball. Guys made some nice catches for him. I just like the way we played in the second half.”
La Confora heaped praise on the undrafted rookie, saying the third QB job is likely his.
“[Fagnano] had stellar film from thrashing the Eagles a week ago and coming out of nowhere to do so. Vikings aggressive defensive mastermind Brian Flores treats the preseason closer to the real thing than most who call plays on defense, and Fagnano entered this road game at a time when Baltimore’s offense was lifeless and suspect with No. 2 quarterback [Tyler] Huntley at the helm.”
