Since Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott started his tenure with the Bills, he’s gotten positive play from his rookie each and every year. That helps lay a foundation for when those rookies are leading the team later on.
That “tradition” of sorts started with the likes of Tre’Davious White, Matt Milano and Dion Dawkins in 2017 (sorry, Nathan Peterman). In 2019, it was carried on by another trio and Touchdown Wire took notice.
For their efforts as rookies, Ed Oliver, Cody Ford and Devin Singletary were named in the outlet’s top-50 rookies of 2019.
Oliver, the ninth-overall pick at the most recent NFL draft, headlined the group at No. 18. Singletary followed at No. 26 while Ford wrapped things up at No. 44.
As rookies, all three had ups and downs. Still, they all began their careers on the right foot. Oliver lost his starting spot early in the year to Jordan Phillips, but worked to get it back. He finished his first season with five sacks but four of them came in the final seven games of the season.
Singletary was set back mostly by injuries, but in 12 games played, he still mustered 775 rushing yards and established himself as an NFL rusher. At right tackle, Ford eventually settled down into his role as the starter once Ty Nsekhe was bit by the injury bug.
Along with these three, tight end Dawson Knox also flashed at times in 2019.
Sandwiched in between the most recent rookie class and 2017’s is the crew headlined by quarterback Josh Allen and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in 2018.
The number of key, starting pieces mentioned in this piece alone from the last three Bills’ draft classes is a fantastic sign of how far the Bills have come in recent years in terms of the NFL draft. These are all homegrown players. While they’ll want to eventually get paid down the line, they’ll certainly have the Bills in their mind when that day eventually comes as the team that gave them their opportunity, and potentially as a place the continuing building their resumes.
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