Being an undrafted rookie isn't necessarily a bad thing if you're playing for the Buffalo Bills.

At least one has made their 53-man roster seven times in the last nine seasons. Joining the list this year are wide receivers David Nelson and Donald Jones, guard Cordaro Howard and outside linebacker Antonio Coleman.

The Bills initially kept five, which would have tied St. Louis for the NFL high, but released safety Dominique Harris along with another player when they signed tight end David Martin and guard Kraig Urbik after the cutdown. Harris was added to the practice squad Monday.

The Bills signed 15 rookie free agents after the NFL draft, but Nelson, Jones, Howard and Coleman stood out from the rest.

"I think a lot of that credit goes to the scouting department, to pick those guys that didn't get drafted that have an excellent opportunity to make your football team," coach Chan Gailey said. "They did a nice job of getting those guys in here, and then I thought our coaches got these young guys ready. They were teaching them and working with them and giving them the time and not just saying, 'Hey, you're an undrafted rookie, go over here.' They worked with them, gave them an opportunity and those guys took advantage of their opportunity. That's what it's all about."

The Bills have a recent history of finding hidden gems like former cornerback Jabari Greer, safety Jim Leonhard and tight end-turned-Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters. Right tackle Cornell Green, running back Fred Jackson, fullback Corey McIntyre, tight end Jonathan Stupar, safety George Wilson, defensive end Spencer Johnson, punter Brian Moorman, place kicker Rian Lindell and long snapper Garrison Sanborn are current Bills who weren't drafted by NFL teams coming out of college.

The most promising of this year's class is Nelson, who figures to have a key role in three- and four-receiver sets. The 6-foot-5, 217-pounder made an immediate impression in the spring and continued to flash exceptional ability through the summer.

He has outstanding hands and leaping ability. He lacks great speed, but gets open by running polished routes and finding soft spots in coverage. He was so good that James Hardy, a former second-round draft pick, was deemed expendable.

"It's an amazing feeling, and to be honest with you it's kind of surreal," said Nelson, one of Tim Tebow's favorite targets at the University of Florida. "It hasn't really hit me yet. I was talking to Donald Jones earlier and I was like 'Man, we just made an NFL roster.' It's been something I've been dreaming about since I was a little kid. And to actually finally realize the dream is an unbelievable feeling."

Jones had to fight off stiff challenges from fellow undrafted rookie and former University at Buffalo star Naaman Roosevelt as well as veteran free agent Chad Jackson to be one of the five receivers on the regular-season roster.

But Jones rose above the competition because of his strong play on special teams. His ability to use that solidly-built 6-foot, 214-pound frame didn't didn't hurt either, especially since big receivers are appealing to Gailey.

"It was a stressful last few months, [Sunday] was a great day for me," Jones said. "Just working hard from OTAs until now in everything I did from offense to special teams. And the coaches just made the selection."

Howard had a prior relationship with Gailey and offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris, who was on Gailey's staff at Georgia Tech when Howard was a freshman. But it was Howard's performance on the field that earned him a roster spot.

He quickly rose up the depth chart during training camp and got regular snaps with the starting offensive line in practice whenever right guard Eric Wood had the day off or got work at center. Also capable of playing tackle, Howard enters the season as the team's seventh offensive lineman.

Coleman had to make the transition from college defensive end to NFL outside linebacker, but the Bills were intrigued by his pass-rushing ability. He showed enough to convince the Bills he could be a contributor down the road.

"Not getting drafted coming out of college, I just said I was going to do everything I could to make this football team," said Coleman, who had 24.5 career sacks at Auburn. "I came in from the start of minicamps and laid it on the line and kept grinding away. Whether I was banged up or injured, it didn't matter. I was determined to show them that I wanted to be a part of this team."

While making the team is a great accomplishment, Nelson, Jones, Howard and Coleman don't have much time to reflect on that. They can do that later.

With their first real NFL game less than five days away, there are more pressing matters to focus on.

"It's time to go," Nelson said. "Now it's time to flip the switch and get in season mode. My work is never done. Just because I made the team doesn't mean anything."

awilson@buffnews.comnull