The Buffalo Bills have made their call at punter, and it’s the rookie who wins the job.
Tom Pelissero reported that the Bills “informed veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky they plan to release him”, with seventh-round pick Tommy Doman Jr. now lined up to handle punting duties in Buffalo moving forward. The move comes as the Bills continue trimming the roster ahead of Week 1 after a busy stretch of roster churn built through free agency, trades and the NFL Draft.
Buffalo had already announced 13 player releases, including WR Mecole Hardman Jr., WR Dante Pettis and OL Bruno Fina, the son of Bills fan-favorite OL John Fina.
Wishnowsky had been brought back on a one-year deal after joining the team last season, and he gave Buffalo some stability after injuries at the position. But the Bills still invested a draft pick in Doman Jr. out of the University of Florida back in April, and that decision now appears to have paid off.
The preseason numbers backed up the choice. Doman Jr. punted seven times, while Wishnowsky got three chances.
Both had a long of 59 yards, but Doman Jr. averaged 48 yards per punt and placed four kicks inside the 20. Wishnowsky averaged 42 yards per punt and had one punt downed inside the 20.
He also had a botched 19-yard punt in the final preseason game.
Doman Jr. did not get a chance to punt in the first preseason game against the Panthers because the offense was so efficient, but when he did get his opportunities, he showed enough to take the job.
For Buffalo, the appeal is obvious: the Bills now have the position covered for years at a low rookie cost, and the rookie showed more in the sample size he was given. The offense can pile up points, but when it stalls, Doman Jr. will be the one asked to flip the field and put pressure back on the other side.
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