It was not that long ago when fans and media alike debated whether Buffalo Bills tight end Nick O’Leary would make the 2016 roster. Prior to training camp, our own John Green profiled him as a player that could potentially be on the team’s roster bubble.

Then, fellow tight end Chris Gragg went down with an ACL injury during the Bills’ preseason game versus the Washington Redskins, giving O’Leary a window to make the team, and he did just enough during the final stretch of the preseason to do just that.

Through the first two games of the season, O’Leary was held without a catch. He barely saw the field, seeing just three offensive snaps in each game.

When Buffalo fired Greg Roman and promoted Anthony Lynn to offensive coordinator, O’Leary got an opportunity to prove himself, playing 14 snaps in Week 3 and 27 in Week 4. In those two games, O’Leary caught three passes for 48 yards. He didn’t record a catch against Los Angeles Rams, but he rebounded with two catches for 28 yards in Sunday’s 45-16 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

But where O’Leary has made the most impact has been in the run game, where his prowess as a blocker has been a major boost to the offense.

Against San Francisco, he had key blocks to help spring running back LeSean McCoy and company to a dominant day in which the team gained 312 rushing yards. This first block helped seal a linebacker, allowing McCoy to break free and find the end zone.

Another run look, unbalanced right, wildcat w/ McCoy. More great blocking… Richie, Wood, O'Leary(!!), Mills(!!) and Clay at the end pic.twitter.com/3fJvcSkQf6 — YardsPerPass.com (@YardsPerPass) October 17, 2016

The second block didn’t necessarily de-cleat the opposing defender, but it was enough to get in the way and eliminate him from the play. Buffalo ran a draw play on third-and-20, which normally would be called to give the team some wiggle room for a punt, but that wasn’t the case.

O'Leary, Powell, Woods… could watch those 3 blocks in a row all day. Of course it doesn't happen w/out Shady being amazing too pic.twitter.com/IZba6HD8WI — YardsPerPass.com (@YardsPerPass) October 17, 2016

It is unlikely that Nick O’Leary will ever produce in the NFL as a pass-catcher the way he did at the college level. In his senior year with the Florida State Seminoles, O’Leary won the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. He recorded 48 receptions for 618 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games.

O’Leary isn’t the mismatch he was in college, but he has worked hard and carved out a role for himself in Buffalo’s offense with Anthony Lynn calling plays. He has made the most of his limited opportunities in the passing game and continues to be a force as a run blocker.

For a former fifth-round draft pick that was believed to be on the outside looking in, O’Leary has defied all odds in his second professional season.