The Bills showed in their AFC Championship loss to the Chiefs that they’re not, by comparison, a complete product.
Quarterback Josh Allen was under duress the whole game, Buffalo’s defense did not look like a unit that had a turnaround, among other issues. Of all of those, ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. evidently thought the running game, or lack thereof on offense, stood out the most.
In his first 2021 NFL Draft mock of the offseason, Kiper sends the Bills a known, dynamic running back in Alabama’s Najee Harris.
Here’s how Kiper breaks it down:
Buffalo’s running game was so ineffective this season that offensive coordinator Brian Daboll cooked up a few game plans that required very few runs. Josh Allen was the Bills’ leading rusher in the postseason — by 82 yards. They should upgrade with Harris, who had a dominant season for the Crimson Tide and could also help in the passing game. With rookie Zack Moss coming off an ankle injury and Devin Singletary not an every-down player, this is where the Bills can get better immediately in 2021. And we’ve seen rookies come in right away and make a big impact. Offensive line is a position to watch for Buffalo; I thought about Michigan offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield here.
Whether it’s Harris or Mayfield, Kiper is clearly on the train of the Bills improving their rushing attack. Aside from Buffalo’s Week 8 win against the Patriots, the ground-and-pound showed little promise this past season.
In potentially selecting Harris, Kiper pegs Buffalo as the team that takes the first running back at the draft. At the most recent rookie selection extravaganza, the Chiefs took the first one at No. 32 overall, the final pick of the first round. The Bills know all too well that such a pick, a late first-round rusher, could make an immediate impact on an offense. They got a front-row seat to Kansas City’s Clyde-Edwards Helaire this season.
Harris projects as the type of do-to-all running back that the Bills do lack, to Kiper’s point. Singletary and Moss currently have their own jobs, but the Bills would add Harris as a guy that can do what they both bring to the table.
Harris, a four-year player for the Crimson Tide, averaged 5.9 and 5.8 yards per carry the past two seasons, respectively. The 6-foot-2, 230 pound rusher displayed his dynamic abilities as he rushed for 79 yards (3.6 avg) and two touchdowns while also adding a third touchdown via seven catches and another 79 yards receiving.
Selecting Harris would certainly be a pretty bold thing to do as well, potentially sending a Super Bowl or bust mentality to this team.
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