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Iowa football: Nick Easley could be the next Cole Beasley for Bills

By Andrew Wade

ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 29: Nick Easley #86 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball after a catch as Isaiah Wharton #35 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to make a tackle during the second half of a preseason game at New Era Field on August 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Minnesota 27 to 23. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - AUGUST 29: Nick Easley #86 of the Buffalo Bills runs the ball after a catch as Isaiah Wharton #35 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to make a tackle during the second half of a preseason game at New Era Field on August 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Minnesota 27 to 23. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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Former Iowa football player Nick Easley signed with the Buffalo Bills practice squad today. It’s an opportunity to show he’s the future after Cole Beasley.

It’s been over a month since former Iowa football player Nick Easley was let go from the Buffalo Bills, but in a somewhat odd-timed move, his former team has parted ways with another practice squad wide receiver, Jordan Veasy, to bring the Newton, Iowa native back to the squad.

Veasy, a former Cal wide receiver signed with the Bills on Friday when a Harrison Phillips ACL tear sparked some roster moves.

But after less than a week, the organization has decided to return to one of its stars of the summer.

And to be honest, I’m just sitting here wondering why it didn’t happen sooner.

After signing former Dallas wide receiver Cole Beasley to a 4 year/$29 million dollar contract this offseason, bringing in Easley made perfect sense given Beasley’s age (30) and the similarities the two possess.

Both are undersized wide receivers (Easley is 5’11” while Beasley is 5’8”) who possess solid, but not spectacular straight-line speed (Easley ran a 4.54 and Beasley ran a 4.49) and exceptional quickness (Easley posted a 1.46 10-yard split and 6.55 three-cone drill while Beasley posted a 1.57 10-yard split and 7.16 three-cone drill). Moreover, both went undrafted out of college and have great hands.

Although maybe not ready for NFL action right away, this gives the former Iowa football player more time to learn the ropes behind one of the better slot receivers in today’s NFL who is currently leading the team in catches, but one other thing, in particular, stands out.

Josh Allen is currently in concussion protocol and Matt Barkley developed nice chemistry and connection with Easley this summer. Easley likely isn’t getting elevated to the active roster anytime soon, but his presence does make a bit more sense with Barkley under center instead of Allen.

Last but not least, outside of Beasley and another 2019 free-agent signee, John Brown, there hasn’t been much production out of the wide receiver group. Zay Jones, who’s battling injuries of his own is the third-leading receiver from the wide receiver position, and he has just seven catches.

So there is an opportunity here for Nick Easley to not just learn and grow on the practice squad but possibly even get some live game action here in the near future.

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