9 things to know about new Bills CB Rachad Wildgoose
speculated the club would take talent off the board sooner.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane, however, was confident waiting.
In the sixth round, the Bills got their corner in Rachad Wildgoose out of Wisconsin. The pick at No. 213 overall came after a trade down with the Houston Texans that turned one of Buffalo’s fifth-round picks into two additional sixth-round selections.
With cornerback being one of several buzz positions Buffalo was anticipated to add a player at going into the draft, fans may want to know more about who this pick is.
Here are seven things to know about Wildgoose:
Production
Three fumble recoveries along with 57 tackles in 24 career games at Wisconsin, including five or loss with an interception plus 14 passes defended was worth a closer look, and Buffalo took just that.
Bills connection
At Wisconsin, Wildgoose's defensive coordinator was former NFL safety Jim Leonhard who was an undrafted signee of the Bills in 2005, playing for the team twice in his 10-year NFL career. Leonhard brought his experiential insight from experience among seven different teams to the young corner's player development.
Head-turning athleticism
Wildgoose is a zone-scheme suited corner who brings physicality throughout his routes to such an extent that his play often result in penalties-Leaving room to grow and develop by way of coaching. He'll receive that in Buffalo. While there was no NFL combine, players held their pre-draft workouts at their alma matters. At Wisconsin's pro day Wildgoose posted a 4.41-second 40-yard dash, which would have ranked fifth among corners at last year's NFL Combine.
"I was shooting for 4.4-low, 4.3-high, and I hit 4.41," said Wildgoose to reporters. "So [I am] satisfied, but I feel like I could have went a little bit faster, but I'm satisfied with my numbers today."
Adding depth and value
Wildgoose projects to play at slot cornerback, which is of additional value in terms of position depth as he'll likely develop behind performance-based-pay leader Taron Johnson. This provides a next-man-up should Johnson depart in free agency as well.
Overcoming adversity
In his junior season, Wildgoose suffered a broken scapula in his shoulder against Northwestern after missing out on Wisconsin's 2020 win over Michigan due to Covid-19 protocols. He'd ultimately decided to opt out for the rest of the season.
"Honestly, a lot went into my decision," said Wildgoose to reporters at Wisconsin's Pro Day. "If I would have finished the season, I would have still left after my junior season. I was talking with coach (Jim) Leonhard throughout my three years here, and I told him when I first got here to, you know, don't let me settle, don't settle with me, push me to be my greatest.
"And after camp, he was telling me like, 'Bro, if you can keep this up the whole world's going to know what I know.' I talked to my parents about it and just me also believing in my skills and watching myself develop and feeling you know, ready enough physically and mentally. When I got coach Leonhard's support, I was like, all in."
Doesn't mind the cold
While Wildgoose is a Miami native who won a state title there as a high school senior, he put up strong numbers and production in the Wisconsin climate, which could bode well for a career in Buffalo.
Opted out
He played only two games in 2020 before opting out of the remainder of the season due to COVID-19. This has not deterred the Bills, however, who took multiple players who missed time during the pandemic season.
De-committed
Wildgoose comes to the Bills via Wisconsin. At a time, that could've been Georgia instead. Per his social media account on Twitter in January 2014, Wildgoose de-committed from Georgia and ended up with the Badgers: https://twitter.com/Clamps_era/status/952681290138116097
Personal background
Wildgoose has a pretty diverse background. During his introductory press conference after being drafted, Wildgoose said his last name is of Native American descent, while his family is from the Bahamas. Furthermore, lived in both Germany and Poland when he was a child for two years or so.
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