Travis Clayton is prepared to jump right into the 2024 NFL Draft and make his way from England to Orchard Park, New York.
Travis Clayton, an offensive tackle, got his first NFL contract, according to the Buffalo Bills. After signing his contract on Thursday, Clayton became the first member of the team’s 2024 NFL Draft class. Twelve other undrafted free agents also signed rookie contracts.
Clayton uses the International Player Pathway (IPP) program to go to One Bills Drive. He came to the United States to play rugby, having been picked as one of the 16 players for the IPP. He plays inside center for Basingstoke in London 3 South West.
The NFL’s current international program, known as the IPP, gives players the chance to play professional football with the league in an effort to promote American football on a global scale.
In the seventh round of this year’s draft, Clayton was selected by the Bills with choice 221 overall, their final selection of the day. Despite being a fully raw developing prospect, Clayton, who is 6’7″ and 301 pounds with 35″ long arms, has a ton of promise.
In rugby, the position of an inside center is most similar to that of a goal line back or classic fullback in contact football. Although Clayton isn’t expected to play fullback, it’s easy to imagine how offensive coordinator Joe Brady would want to present him to the NFL. Clayton’s 40-yard sprint time of 4.79 seconds is quicker than J.J. Watt’s NFL Scouting Combine time.
Travis Clayton finished his 10-week IPP program training in Florida in preparation for his NFL debut. In addition to playing rugby and American football, Clayton is a real multi-sport Renaissance man who has also competed in boxing, tennis, soccer, rowing, and skeleton.
Christian Wade, a former Bills running back, is not the front office’s first international talent to be developed through the IPP. Wade was not allowed to play because he was not able to reach the 53-man active roster, but he was included in a practice squad as the 11th member, which was at the time an extra slot on 10-man PS rosters. Despite being a preseason sensation, he was never able to play for Buffalo in a regular season game.
Clayton, who is currently the 17th player on a 16-man PS roster, can be added to the Bills’ practice squad as an extra player, just like Wade. The fact that he can now be called up to the active squad a maximum of three times during the season is a significant change. Clayton might therefore participate in NFL games as soon as this season with the Buffalo Bills, even if he is not selected for the team’s 53-man roster.
Naturally, Clayton’s capacity to accomplish it will depend on his degree of readiness, aptitude, and other factors. The Bills are placing a lot of faith in Travis Clayton’s ability to do both.
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