The Buffalo Bills have seen production from their rookies in recent years. In this most recent season, Pro Football Focus didn’t see it that way.
According to the football analytics outlet, the Bills’ 2019 rookie class was only the 22nd best in the NFL.
Here’s why, per PFF:
Neither defensive tackle Ed Oliver (64.0) nor offensive tackle Cody Ford (51.8) lived up to their draft position, and the value added by their two third-round selections — running back Devin Singletary and tight end Dawson Knox — wasn’t enough to overcome those performances. The Bills will need those first two picks to take steps forward in 2020.
While the Bills did see production from their rookies this season, to PFF’s credit, it wasn’t fantastic production from their top-two picks in Oliver and Ford. Both saw their rookie seasons plagued with inconsistencies.
Despite PFF knocking the Bills for their top picks taking time to adapt to the NFL, the outlet did tip their cap to their best rookies in running back Devin Singletary and tight end Dawson Knox. Singletary was named the Bills’ “best value pick” as well. Here’s why:
Singletary (No. 96 overall) was a handful to tackle coming out of Florida Atlantic, and that remained the case in Buffalo. He averaged more than 3 rushing yards after contact per attempt and broke 42 tackles on the ground as a rookie.
In regard to the AFC East though, the Bills did have the second-best rookie class. The Jets were only ranked slightly better at No. 20, while the Patriots were at No. 27 and the Dolphins slotted in at No. 28. The league’s best rookie class honors went to the Redskins.
[lawrence-related id=54432,54427,54408,54298]