91 Buffalo Bills players in 91 days: OT Richard Gouraige

The Buffalo Bills have a penchant for building strong depth along the offensive line. Thanks to quality under-the-radar free agent deals, late draft picks, and undrafted rookie signings, Buffalo often stocks enough depth up front to feel comfortable trading it for draft capital at the end of the summer.

The Bills also retain some of that depth on the practice squad. This is all standard practice, but general manager Brandon Beane has been particularly good in his relationships along the offensive line. There have been missteps along the way (Wyatt Teller and Roger Saffold, for example), but Beane has made it clear he will continue to ensure the offensive line has enough quality pieces.

In our latest episode of “91 Players in 91 Days,” we discuss one of Buffalo’s depth pieces along the offensive line.

Name: Richard Gouraige

Number: 75

Position: T

Size weight: 6’5″, 305 pounds

Age: 25 (26 on 10/15/2024)

Experience/Project: 1; signed with Bills as a UDFA after the 2023 NFL Draft

College: Florida

Acquired: UDFA signature

Financial situation (by Spotrac): Gouraige signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bills at the end of the 2023 NFL season. This two-year contract is worth a total of $1.764 million, with $9,000 of that guaranteed in the form of a signing bonus. If Gouraige is released, that’s the maximum load Buffalo will carry this season. If he makes the 53-man roster, Gouraige carries a cap hit of $799,500 this season.

2023 summary: Gouraige spent all of camp and the preseason with Buffalo. He did not make the final roster, but he signed with Buffalo’s practice squad after final roster cuts. He was not called up once during the season, so he remained a member of the Bills’ practice squad the entire season.

Positioning prospects: Gouraige is one of several offensive tackles vying for a spot on the final roster. Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins are locked in as starters, so Gouraige facing Tommy Doyle, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson, Mike Edwards, Tylan Grable and Travis Clayton are the others. La’el Collins also has experience as a tackle and guard.

2024 offseason: Gouraige is healthy and has participated in OTAs.

Outlook for the 2024 season: Unless other more experienced players are injured, Gouraige (pronounced like where you park your car) will likely struggle to be included on the practice squad again. Anderson and Van Demark both made the team last year and performed well out there, and Collins’ contract guarantees suggest a player who will be on the roster in September. Gouraige is likely battling with Doyle, Grable, Clayton and Edwards for a spot or two on the practice squad.