Tag: buffalo bills draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper: Bills can wait to find RB at 2020 NFL Draft

SPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. said it’s a good time for the Bills to not have a first-round pick with that need.

The Bills don’t have any glaring needs on their current roster. With Frank Gore remaining unsigned by any NFL team, Buffalo does have room on their roster for another running back, though.

ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. said it’s a good time for the Bills to not have a first-round pick with that need. Chatting on a conference call this week, Kiper said the Bills can take their time finding a No. 2 complementary back if they plan to do so at the 2020 NFL Draft.

“I think the depth at running back isn’t great but you can still find them,” Kiper said. “(The Bills) found (Devin) Singletary last year. There’s some backs like Anthony McFarland at Maryland is interesting. (Salvon) Ahmed of Washington is interesting. I like J.J. Taylor at Arizona as a late-round guy. Mike Warren of Cincinnati is another guy. If they did not take the running back in the second round, I think they can get one late. I’m intrigued by J.J. Taylor, 5-foot-5, 1-4, 185 pounds. That kid can scoot. He can catch the ball. I was impressed with the tape.”

In Kiper’s latest two-round mock draft he released earlier in the week, he pegs the Bills for a pass rusher with their first selection at No. 54 overall in the second round of the upcoming draft via Notre Dame’s Julian Okwara. Prior to that pick in regards to running backs, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor at 45 and LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Hellaire are the only two off the board before Buffalo’s pick.

Thus far, the Bills’ current front office guided by head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane is pretty much one-for-one on drafting running backs. Singletary is their lone drafted rusher the duo has selected and after a profitable rookie season, Beane recently said Singletary is the team’s No. 1 back moving forward. Worth noting, the Bills waiting until the third round at the 2019 draft to pick Singletary.

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Bills draft prospect scouting reports: LB Akeem Davis-Gaither

Scouting reports on potential Buffalo Bills linebacker prospect, Appalachian State’s Akeem Davis-Gaither.

As things stand at the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills will first select at the No. 54 overall pick in the second round and the team has seven picks, in total. If things hold there, the Bills could have plenty of options to consider when turning in their selection cards.

During the run to up to the draft which starts on April 23, Bills Wire will compile information on prospects the Bills could have interest in. Specifically, what scouting reports say about their game.

Next up in our prospect previews is linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither. Here’s a rundown of the what the experts are saying about his game:

LB Akeem Davis-Gaither | Appalachian State | SEnior

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 224

Pros

  • Quickness and burst to be an effective blizter at NFL level.
  • Big-time versatility like Lorenzo Alexander, potentially. Can play at line of scrimmage and shows good cover skills. Also can play special teams.
  • Above average run defender.
  • Active and high-motor player.

Cons

  • Questions about how he will play against better competition.
  • Size not ideal for NFL linebacker, tweener between LB and safety prospect.
  • Could over-pursue at times in run defense.
  • Wants to play middle linebacker in NFL, Bills won’t need him there.

2019 PFF grades:

  • Run defense: 87.0.
  • Coverage: 61.5.
  • Pass rush: 82.2.

2019 Stats (14 GP):

  • 101 tackles | 14.5 tackles for loss | 5 sacks | 8 passes defended | 1 interception

Career stats (27 GP):

  • 201 total tackles | 24 tackles for loss | 6.5 sacks | 15 passes defended | 1 interception | 1 forced fumble

Consensus rank: Day 2 pick

For more on Davis-Gaither, visit:

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Report: RB JK Dobbins has pre-draft interview with Bills

Buffalo Bills held a 2020 NFL pre-draft interview with Ohio State running back JK Dobbins.

J.K. Dobbins is certainly a name to remember once the 2020 NFL Draft rolls around.

The Ohio State prospect is one of the best running backs the upcoming draft has to offer, and there’s a chance he’ll be on the board when the Bills have their first pick in the second round at No. 54 overall. Now there’s a connection, too.

According to The Houston Chronicle the Bills had a pre-draft interview with Dobbins:

While the Bills do have Devin Singletary, who was recently dubbed the team’s No. 1 back by general manager Brandon Beane, Buffalo could still use another back. Frank Gore is likely out as he has yet to be re-signed by the team despite him saying he wants to play in 2020, and Buffalo’s only No. 2 option currently is TJ Yeldon, who was inactive most of last season.

Dobbins put up massive numbers during his junior year at Ohio State. He rushed for 2,003 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. Dobbins was a big-time player for the Buckeyes, averaging 173 rushing years in Ohio State’s two post-regular season games. Dobbins isn’t an overly large back at 5-foot-9, but at 209 pounds, he’s still got some size to him.

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B/R gives Bills pre-draft grade of ‘A’ for offseason

Bleacher Report grades the Buffalo Bills 2020 offseason prior to the NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills have been one of the busier teams so far this offseason. Thus far, Bleacher Report is a big fan of the work the team has done.

B/R graded every NFL team’s offseason work prior to the 2020 NFL Draft and Buffalo earned a top-notch grade of ‘A.’ Here’s the breakdown:

The Buffalo Bills paid a heftier price to acquire Diggs than the Cardinals had to for Hopkins. But it was probably worth the cost (this year’s first-round pick plus three other selections).

Diggs has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons, and last year, he averaged nearly 18 yards per reception. Moreover, Diggs has been one of the best in contested catch rate over the past few years, according to Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus, which is a boon for quarterback Josh Allen.

Between Diggs, John Brown and Cole Beasley (who excelled in the slot last year), the Bills have the best receiving corps in the AFC East and arguably one of the best in football.

Not to mention, the team upgraded from Lawson to Mario Addison, who has recorded at least nine sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in each of the last four seasons. Yes, Addison is seven years older than Lawson. However, he has been more productive for a longer period, and his three-year deal (worth just over $30 million) has an out after 2020, with just $4 million in dead cap money, per Spotrac.

The loss of Alexander may hurt from a coverage perspective, but the Bills will still rely on a stiff pass rush after getting both Butler and Jefferson.

While the New England Patriots lost Tom Brady and face more uncertainty than they have in decades, the Bills’ moves could make them the best team in AFC East. That deserves a winning grade.

Really the only knock the Bills get here is their comparison via Hopkins. The Cardinals paid a much smaller price for him, running back David Johnson and a second-round pick, and he’s considered one of the league’s best wideouts. However, Hopkins is looking for a new deal from his new team. It doesn’t appear to this point that Diggs is.

Along with the Bills, the Broncos, Colts, Raiders, Chargers and Saints all also received an A mark. The only team B/R thinks knocked it out of the park with an A-plus is the Buccaneers, who landed quarterback Tom Brady.

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Bills have pre-draft meeting with Robert Hunt

Buffalo Bills have 2020 NFL pre-draft meeting with offensive lineman Robert Hunt.

The Buffalo Bills are certainly looking into their long-term options along the offensive line.

The Bills are returning all their starters in the trenches from last season, but the team has still had several pre-draft meetings with offensive line prospects. The latest is Louisiana-Lafayette’s Robert Hunt, according to Draft Wire:

While not a Power Five lineman, Hunt is certainly experienced as a four-year starter in college. He does have some versatility in that experience, playing guard early in his career, and later playing tackle for the majority of last season. Hunt also played on both sides of the offensive line.

The 6-foot-5, 323 pounder also got a familiar comparison by NFL.com‘s draft analyst Lance Zierlein. He compared Hunt to current Bills right tackle Cody Ford. Draft Wire also reported that Hunt and the Bills had a meeting at the recent 2020 NFL Combine.

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PODCAST: Constructing the Bills’ 2020 NFL Draft big board

Kyle Silagyi is joined by Justin DiLoro and McKenna Middlebrook to construct the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 NFL Draft big board.

Fans of the Buffalo Bills will have to wait until day two of the 2020 NFL Draft to see their beloved blue and red make its first selection.

The team parted ways with its first-round pick earlier in the offseason, sending the 22nd overall pick in the draft (along with other assets) to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Stefon Diggs.

Though Buffalo will not go on the clock until Friday evening, it will still have the opportunity to select a talented player. On this episode of The Kyle Silagyi Variety Hour, host Kyle Silagyi is joined by BillsWire staff writers Justin DiLoro and McKenna Middlebrook to construct their version of the Bills’ 2020 NFL Draft big board.

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Bills draft prospect scouting reports: S Kyle Dugger

Draft profile & scouting reports on potential Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL Draft prospect, safety Kyle Dugger.

As things stand at the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills will first select at the No. 54 overall pick in the second round and the team has seven picks, in total. If things hold there, the Bills could have plenty of options to consider when turning in their selection cards.

During the run to up to the draft which starts on April 23, Bills Wire will compile information on prospects the Bills could have interest in. Specifically, what scouting reports say about their game.

Next up in our prospect previews is safety Kyle Dugger. Here’s a rundown of the what the experts are saying about his game:

S Kyle Dugger | Lenoir-Rhyne | Senior

Vitals

Height | 6-1

Weight | 217

Pros

  • Flexibility to play safety, nickel cornerback/ linebacker if size is added. Also returns kicks.
  • Solid size also comes with speed: ran fifth-fastest 40 time among safeties (4.49 seconds), also had best vertical jump (42 inches).
  • Strong run defender.
  • Excellent range in pass defense.

Cons

  • Played at the DII level.
  • Natural instincts have to improve at pro level.
  • Fundamental footwork & hip movement for DB could improve at NFL level as well.

2019 PFF grades:

  • N/A (PFF does not grade DII).

2019 Stats (7 GP):

  • 31 tackles | 1 tackle for loss | 6 passes defended | 2 intereceptions

Career stats (42 GP):

  • 237 tackles | 6.5 tackles for loss | 36 passes defended | 10 interceptions | 6 forced fumbles

Consensus rank: Day 2 pick

For more on Dugger, visit:

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2020 NFL Draft: SI mock leans offense for Bills in 4-round mock

Buffalo Bills select Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Collin Johnson in Sports Illustrated 2020 NFL Draft mock.,

While the Bills don’t have a first-round pick at the 2020 NFL Draft, there’s still plenty of intrigue attached to their first few picks.

With no glaring need on their roster, when Buffalo’s named is called in rounds two through four, they could still find diamonds in the rough. Think Devin Singletary and Dawson Knox, both third-round picks last offseason.

At this point, these picks could end up seeing Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane add players to anywhere on their roster. In Sports Illustrated‘s latest multi-round mock draft, the Bills see two of their top three picks add offensive playmakers, starting with running back:

LSU Tigers running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

54. Buffalo Bills: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU

In Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the Bills address their “Frank Gore” need. Singletary is Buffalo’s No. 1 running back, but Buffalo needs a complementary piece next to him. Enter Edwards-Helaire.

During Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s three-year career at LSU he ran for 2,103 yards, and 23 touchdowns. He became a household name during his final year, where he helped lead LSU to a national title.

He doesn’t have the measurements of a traditional NFL running back, he stands at 5-foot-8 and weighs in at 209 pounds, but those sorts of measurements actually play to his strengths as a runner. Edwards-Helaire is a patient yet physical runner who makes would-be tacklers miss with jump cuts, spins, or simply lowering his shoulder. Sounds similar to Gore, but he’ll have a long, long way to go to get to Gore’s accolades, naturally.

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Report: OL Cameron Clark has pre-draft meeting with Bills

Buffalo Bills held a pre-draft meeting with Charlotte LT Cameron Clark ahead of 2020 NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills showed in their analysis of Cody Ford that even though draft analysts say a player should be moved from tackle to guard, they could be wrong.

Whether or not Charlotte’s Cameron Clark proves the same in the NFL, he has that similar type of speculation attached to his game. Like Ford, the Bills have also reportedly shown interest in him, according to The Draft Network:

In college, Clark played exclusively at left tackle. But even there, he earned his team’s MVP award in school. That’s something an offensive lineman doesn’t always see. The 6-foot-4, 308 pounder has NFL length along with plenty of experience. He was a three-year starter at Charlotte, but also a two-year captain.

Having said that, Clark, a senior, did earn first-team, all-Conference USA honors, but that’s not the SEC and will require a big leap to the NFL level. Stacked head-to-head with some of those Power Five lineman at the recent scouting combine, Clark didn’t blow anyone out of the water. But he certainly held his own, putting up a 5.29 second 40 time, along with 26 bench press reps. Clark will likely be a later pick at the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Bills draft prospect scouting reports: WR Michael Pittman

Scouting reports for potential Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL Draft target, USC WR Michael Pittman.

As things stand at the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills will first select at the No. 54 overall pick in the second round and the team has seven picks, in total. If things hold there, the Bills could have plenty of options to consider when turning in their selection cards.

During the run to up to the draft which starts on April 23, Bills Wire will compile information on prospects the Bills could have interest in. Specifically, what scouting reports say about their game.

Next up in our prospect previews is wide receiver Michael Pittman. Here’s a rundown of the what the experts are saying about his game:

WR Michael Pittman Jr. | USC | Senior

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 223

Pros

  • That size is now the lone thing the Bills lack in their WR room, post-Stefon Diggs.
  • Size does not come with speed, but does have quickness in and out of routes and cuts.
  • Highly-praised run blocker.
  • Smart football IQ and could even pitch in on special teams coverage.

Cons

  • Burst off line of scrimmage isn’t always there.
  • Offers little in terms of after-the-catch skills, only broke 20 tackles in college career, per Pro Football Focus.
  • Despite size, sometimes struggles with press coverage corners.

2019 PFF grades:

  • Overall: 81.2.

2019 Stats (12 GP):

  • 101 receptions | 1,275 yards | 11 touchdowns

Career stats (41 GP):

  • 171 receptions | 2,519 yards | 19 touchdowns

Consensus rank: Second round pick

For more on Pittman, visit:

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