Nathan Peterman is the newest arm in the crowded Bills’ quarterback room

The Buffalo Bills added another quarterback to the mix by selecting Pittsburgh’s Nathan Peterman in the fifth round with the 171st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. The 22-year-old probably won’t be a day one starter, but the former Panther has the skills to be the Bills’ backup immediately, if he can get near the top of a crowded depth chart.

Peterman will now join a quarterback room that will likely feature Tyrod Taylor starting again in 2017, but also has Cardale Jones and T.J. Yates in the mix.

Originally, Peterman attended the University of Tennessee for two seasons but he didn’t play much. He redshirted in 2012 and only appeared in four games in 2013. During his first start in 2013, he broke his hand and lost the job. In 2014, coach Butch Jones benched Peterman after just two series in his only start of the season.

He appeared in seven more games as a Volunteer, but then transferred to Pitt in 2015, morphing into a solid quarterback with enough arm talent and athleticism to extend drives.

Peterman never lost faith in his abilities, in part because of his faith. In fact, before games, he reads Bible passages scrawled on a piece of tattered paper — a practice that began in eighth grade.

Peterman exhibits excellent deep ball accuracy and the ability to throw receivers open. He can also complete passes while under duress.

He can let it fly

Peterman doesn’t lack confidence when launching passes down the field — he completed 46.2 percent of his deep passes in his collegiate career.

During Pittsburgh’s 43-42 victory against Clemson last season, Peterman threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to tight end Scott Orndoff early in the third quarter. After a play fake, Peterman rolled out of the pocket and, with three defenders closing in, heaved a ball deep along the sideline. Even though Orndoff had a receiver draped all over him, Peterman placed the ball only where his big-bodied tight end could corral it.

Escapability

At 6’2, 226 pounds, Peterman ran a 4.82 in the 40 at the NFL Combine. While he doesn’t have breakaway speed, he can still gain yards when necessary. He’s athletic enough, as he showed in a 76-61 victory against Syracuse in 2016. After another play fake, the quarterback took off to the outside, stiff-armed a defender and ran 42 yards.

Peterman will overthrow a pass or two. While accuracy is his forte, he still lets throws get away because of an inconsistent base. And he needs to learn when to throw the ball away and move on to the next play. He has a habit of trying to create throws or plays that just aren’t there.