Thomas Welch ( American football ) Dwayne Thomas Welch , Jr . ( born June 19 , 1987 ) is an American football offensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League ( NFL ) . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft . He played college football at Vanderbilt . He has also been a member of the Minnesota Vikings , Buffalo Bills , and St . Louis Rams also Philadelphia Eagles . Early years . Welch attended Brentwood High School in Brentwood , Tennessee , where he played football . College career . Following high school , Welch played football at Vanderbilt University , where he redshirt ed as a tight end in 2005 . As a freshman in 2006 , Welch moved to offensive tackle early in the season after injuries to the team ' s starting tackles and played in seven games . In 2007 , Welch was the team ' s top offensive tackle reserve and also played on special teams , earning the team ' s Specialist of the Week award against Kentucky . As a junior in 2008 , Welch started all 13 games at right tackle , earning the team ' s Offensive Player of the Week award against South Carolina . In 2009 , his senior season , Welch started 11 games at left tackle and twice earned Offensive Player of the Week Award honors . While at Vanderbilt , Welch played with other NFL players such as D . J . Moore , Jonathan Goff , Chris Williams , and Myron Lewis . Professional career . First stint with Patriots . Welch was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round ( 208th overall ) of the 2010 NFL Draft . He signed a four - year contract on June 4 . He was waived during final cuts on September 4 , 2010 . Welch was offered a chance to be on the Patriot ' s Practice Squad , but he politely declined . He later accepted the Vikings Practice squad offer and eventually was activated to the 53 man roster . He was on the 53 man roster for the final four weeks of the season once Steve Hutchinson was placed on IR . Minnesota Vikings . The Minnesota Vikings signed Welch to their practice squad on September 6 , 2010 . Second stint with Patriots . The New England Patriots signed Welch to their practice squad on September 5 , 2011 . He was signed to the active roster on September 12 , 2011 . He was released on September 14 , 2011 . Welch was added back to the practice squad on September 15 . St . Louis Rams . After being added to the Buffalo Bills ' practice squad in November , the St . Louis Rams signed him on November 22 , 2011 . He was waived on May 3 , 2012 . Philadelphia Eagles . Welch was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on May 4 , 2012 . Personal Life . In 2012 Welch married his college sweetheart , Meghan . The two met while both attending Vanderbilt University . Meghan was a member of the Varsity Women ' s Soccer team . In the off season of 2013 , Welch completed an internship at Merrill Lynch in Private Wealth Management . He made an appearance on MONEY with Melissa on the Fox Business Network on May 29 , 2013 where he discussed the internship and the NFL ' s involvement with player development in post football careers . Following this interview , Welch was named to Business Insider ' s Top 36 Football Players on Wall Street .