Harrell is back for his second go-round with Buffalo
During training camp, the Buffalo Bills have done what they can to ensure that they’ll be able to rest their top players. Sure, taking enough reps is important, but ultimately, Buffalo’s top-flight players need to emerge from camp healthy in order for the team to equal or surpass its 2020 success this season.
Unfortunately for the Bills, one positional group that’s currently dealing with some issues in terms of availability is the offensive line. As a result, the team has been forced to add depth to the contingent assigned to protect the franchise, AKA quarterback Josh Allen.
In today’s installment of “90 players in 90 days,” we profile a newly-signed offensive lineman in his second stint with the team.
Name: Marquel Harrell
Number: 62
Position: G
Height/Weight: 6’3” 309 lbs.
Age: 24 (25 on 7/18/2022)
Experience/Draft: 1; signed with Buffalo as UDFA following the 2020 NFL Draft
College: Auburn
Acquired: Re-signed with Buffalo on 7/30/2021
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Harrell signed a one-year contract worth $660,000 in total. There are no guarantees on that deal, so Buffalo can release Harrell without any dead cap charge.
2020 Recap: Harrell signed with the Bills as an undrafted free agent, spending the summer with the Bills in the lead-up to the 2020 season. He did not make the team out of camp, and he remained unsigned. When Cody Ford was lost for the season to injury, Harrell came back for a workout, but the Bills ultimately did not sign him. In May 2021, Harrell signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, but they released him, which freed him up for his return to the Bills in July.
Positional outlook: Harrell joins a crowded group of players along the interior offensive line who will be vying for a spot on the final roster. Buffalo has Jon Feliciano, Ike Boettger, Jack Anderson, Syrus Tuitele, Forrest Lamp, Steven Gonzalez, Jamil Douglas, and Jordan Devey in camp at guard.
2021 Offseason: Harrell has participated in team activities since signing in late July, but he hurt his foot in practice prior to the team’s first padded practice on August 3. He has not practiced since.
2021 Season outlook: Harrell’s time on the roster is likely to be limited, as the Bills are waiting for some bigger names to return from various ailments. Feliciano is dealing with a shoulder injury at present, and both Boettger and tackle Dion Dawkins are on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. Once those players are active and fully healthy, some of the more recent signings on the line are likely to be released. Harrell is likely to be among them.
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