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Buffalo Bills: Waiver Pickup Scott Crichton A Flyer To Add Depth

By Michael Hudson

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Scott Crichton (95) reacts as he is helped off the field after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Scott Crichton (95) reacts as he is helped off the field after suffering an injury against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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In need of depth on the defense, the Buffalo Bills may have found a quality piece on waivers in Scott Crichton.

The Buffalo Bills have been on a mission to shore up their defense this offseason after the team finished near the bottom in total defense in 2016. On Monday, the team added some depth to their defensive line when they claimed defensive end Scott Crichton off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The signing was announced via the team’s official website.

While Crichton certainly isn’t a household name or a game changer that many fans have been expecting, he does add value and positional depth on an area of the defense where the Bills have been lacking for the past few seasons.

Originally a third-round pick for the Vikings in 2014, Crichton’s biggest issue since coming into the league has been staying on the field. He has seen action in only 21 games over the past three seasons. That includes 2016 as he didn’t play in a single game after being placed on IR with an undisclosed injury. It should be noted he was also placed on waivers prior to being placed on IR, likely signaling the end of his tenure in Minnesota before the season even ended.

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Now, Crichton will try to resurrect his career in Buffalo in a supporting role. The former Oregon State standout has battled concussion issues in his short time in the NFL, so it will be interesting to see how the Bills handle his injury situation as OTAs and training camp begin in the coming months.

Crichton’s track history isn’t much to go off of—he has only 21 total tackles in the league since being drafted, none of which are sacks—but the Bills need additional bodies on the defensive line. As such, Crichton seems like a lock to make the 53-man roster come September.

In any event, the Bills are still wading in the dark waters that are the AFC East. With the perennial division winner, the New England Patriots, reloading their offense and defense, the Bills will need to address far more than just a defensive end backup to help end the longest playoff drought in the NFL today.

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