Tag: Zack Moss

AFC East said to be worst RB division in NFL

The Bills are entering the upcoming NFL season with some hope and real optimism in terms of their backfield with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.

The Bills are entering the upcoming NFL season with some hope and real optimism in terms of their backfield with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. But as an entire division, the AFC East was recently named the worst grouping of backfield in the entire league by CBS Sports.

In regard to the Bills’ running back duo, here’s what was said:

Singletary looked good in limited action last season and seemed like he should have become the full-time back, but it’s clear the Bills don’t want to make him a true feature guy. Moss should prove to be a nice complement, given his size and pass-catching ability.

The entire AFC East is broken down here, but in terms of the Bills’ duo, it’s truthfully not the worst assessment. As mentioned, Buffalo has hope and optimism in Western New York about their duo. But that doesn’t mean they have proven much. Combined, they have 775 rushing yards between them, all of which came from Singletary’s lone pro season. Not only does Singletary have to show he can do it again, Moss has to show he can… period.

In terms of the other teams in the AFC East, the Jets do have Le’Veon Bell, but because of offensive line play, he’s been mainly ineffective since jumped over from his Steelers holdout. CBS Sports then actually predicts Cam Newton as the Pats’ best rusher, which is not a good start for them on such a list, while the Dolphins’ pair of Jordan Howard and Matt Bredia has potential, but essentially has to prove it as well.

Overall, it’s hard to argue which division was named the best in the NFL: the NFC East. When you’ve got Ezekiel Elliot and Saquon Barkley headlining a group, it’s hard to argue.

 

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4 Bills who could suffer the most from shortened preseason

Four Buffalo Bills who could suffer the most from a shorter 2020 NFL preseason.

The Bills and NFL appear to be set to shorten the upcoming preseason from four games down to two due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In doing so, the league will give teams more time to prepare for the regular season via practice, but naturally, it’s a safety precaution, too.

Regardless, four games is probably too much for a regular offseason. But this is no ordinary year. The Bills haven’t had minicamps, barely had their rookies at team faculties, and mostly everything has been done virtually.

In such an offseason, preseason games could come in more handy than usual, so cutting some might not bode well for some. On the Bills, there’s a few that fall into such a category.

Here are four Bills players who could suffer the most from a shorter preseason in 2020:

Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

WR Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs falling into this category comes as an easy one. As a team, it’s helpful that the Bills have the most continuity from last season on their offense in the entire NFL. But with a shorter preseason, and overall shorter offseason thus far, it might hold Diggs back over the early parts of his Bills career.

During the preseason, and maybe more importantly during early training camp practices, Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen have to convince coaches they’re on the same page. Namely, offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has to be convinced, he’s the one calling the shots on offense. But if Daboll is iffy, it would make plenty of sense for the likes of returners such as John Brown and Cole Beasley to see plenty of targets early in 2020 because of the chemistry built between that duo and Allen already.

It’s not a knock against Diggs, it’s just the cards the Bills were dealt. This could be a common issues across the entire league early next season. Buffalo isn’t the only team to add playmakers this offseason that haven’t been able to work with their new teammates much.

 

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Bills’ Zack Moss is PFF’s highest-graded rookie RB

Buffalo Bills RB Zack Moss is Pro Football Focus’ highest-grade rookie running back.

Every rookie has to prove it in the NFL. Bills rookie running back Zack Moss is no exception to that. But Moss comes to the NFL as a highly-touted player, even if he was a third-round selection.

Continuing those pats on the back recently was Pro Football Focus. The football analytics outlet released their top-four grades for rookie running backs heading into next season.

The leader of the group is Buffalo’s running back:

The best part about this list? Well, Moss was the only one drafted in the third round of the recent draft. Edwards-Helaire was the lone Round 1 back (Chiefs), while Taylor (Colts) and Dillion (Packers) were second-round picks. The Bills might’ve found a steal.

This also isn’t the first time PFF has shown love for Moss. Earlier this offseason, Pro Football Focus not only tabbed Moss as a “name to watch” in the NFL next season, but also said he might takeover the No. 1 runner job in Buffalo next season.

A nice gesture, but Devin Singletary might have something to say about that. Actually he already has.

Singletary recently said he’s actually excited about Moss coming to the Bills. The incumbent Buffalo running back said he and Moss will “cause a lot of problems” for opposing defenses in 2020. Looking at PFF’s numbers, if Moss doesn’t skip much of a beat in the pros, it sounds like that will come true.

 

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Buffalo Bills sign rookie RB Zack Moss

Buffalo Bills sign rookie draft pick running back Utah Zack Moss.

Buffalo Bills third-round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft, running back Zack Moss, has officially signed his first professional contract, the team announced.

With Moss under contract, the team now has all of their recent draft picks under contract. Moss was Buffalo’s second pick of the 2020 draft after defensive end AJ Epenesa was the team’s first in the second round. The Bills did not hold a first-round pick.

Moss, the No. 86 overall pick, will likely see an opportunity to be an impactful rookie. Devin Singletary and Moss appear to be the Bills’ new one-two punch in the backfield starting in 2020.

Moss broke several records in college at Utah, including rushing touchdowns (38) and rushing yards (4,067). Moss was also named the 2019 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.

 

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Bills’ Devin Singletary ready to ’cause problems’ with Zack Moss

Buffalo Bills RB Devin Singletary discusses playing with Zack Moss.

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary is welcoming rookie Zack Moss with open arms to the team’s backfield in 2020.

One thing that certainly helps is that the two had already known each other prior to being Bills teammates, both are from Florida. But Singletary, while speaking to The Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber via West Herr, said that he sees the potential one-two punch the pair could be, rather than some sort of head-to-head competition for playing time.

“Seeing that [the Bills’ draft pick] was Zack, it was exciting, to be honest,” “We’re both from South Florida, we’re both the same age, he just stayed a year longer in college. It’s really exciting. Us in the backfield together? That’s going to be problems [for defenses] I feel like, for sure,” Singletary said. “That’s the way I look at it. And then when you get somebody that’s good in the backfield with you, I’ve been in mostly backfields where I wasn’t the only back, that’s going to bring the best out of you and the best out of the team, and that’s what you want at the end of the day.”

Singletary certainly showed signs of fitting-in at the pro level. He reminded one of LeSean McCoy’s slick moves and his “cut on a dime” ability while carrying the ball. Moss will have to prove himself on the next level, but he did promise that defenders will have to make a “business decision” when tackling the noted physical runner.

Along with seeing the prospect of being a dynamic duo with Moss, Singletary added that he’s ready to step up in the running back room this season, too. Frank Gore is no longer with the team, so Singletary will be welcoming any chances to be a leader already in his young career.

“Having Frank was big for me, I was able to just able to just sit back and learn what he was doing on the field, off the field,” Singletary said. “I love Frank for that, that’s still my big dog to this day. Without him, going into this year, I feel like I’m ready. I feel like I learned everything I needed to learn from him and if anything, he’s a phone call away.”

While the Bills will have some more veteran rushers in TJ Yeldon and Taiwan Jones in their locker room, it’ll be Singletary taking the much bigger chunk of the workload out of Buffalo’s backfield in 2020.

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PFF: Devin Singletary a top-10 elusive running back

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary near the top of Pro Football Focus’ list of elusive running backs.

The Buffalo Bills previously had running back LeSean McCoy on their roster. Shady had a strong career with the Bills, and folks often referenced he could “cut on a dime” on the field.

McCoy was amongst the most elusive running backs in the NFL but the Bills felt that they had another waiting in the wing who might’ve been just as shifty. Pro Football Focus recently backed that decision by the Bills, or at least in terms of those moves on the field.

The football analytics outlet ranked NFL running backs 1 to 32 in terms of their elusiveness. After his rookie season, Singletary slid in the No. 9 overall spot on PFF’s list.

Here’s why:

The Bills have an interesting situation at the running back position next season. Rookie Zack Moss, who they drafted in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, was dubbed the most elusive running back in the 2020 Draft Guide, and that’s Singletary’s calling card as well. Across his final two seasons at FAU in 2017 and 2018, Singletary trailed only David Montgomery in broken tackles on the ground (179). As a rookie last season, he forced 42 missed tackles on just 181 touches, once again making him one of the most elusive backs among his peers. The question becomes whether that is enough to hold off Moss as the season progresses.

While Singletary might have to “hold off” Moss, that’s just one way to look at it. A spin zone: Many NFL teams sport two backs. The Bills could have the makings of one formidable duo, with Moss being the bigger of the two backs. So the more, the merrier for the Bills in their backfield.

In terms of the rest of PFF’s rankings here, Singletary is also the second-highest ranked running back who’s entering his second season. The lone Year 2 back ahead of Singletary was the only one selected in the first round of Singletary’s 2018 draft class, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

Three other running backs were selected between Jacobs and Singletary: the Eagles’ Miles Sanders (Round 2), Rams’ Darrell Henderson, and the Bears’ David Montgomery. While their careers are still young, Singletary has already begun to out-play his draft slot in the third-round.

 

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Bills’ ‘supporting cast’ for Josh Allen sees massive jump from B/R

Buffalo Bills’ offense ranking of their supporting cast via Bleacher Report for Josh Allen.

Bleacher Report annual ranks the help quarterbacks in the NFL have heading into a season. A year ago, Bills quarterback Josh Allen had his friends on offense ranked as the 24th best in the league.

One short season later, that group has jumped into the top-10 of B/R’s rankings.

Per B/R’s list, Allen now has the eighth-best supporting cast in the NFL. Here are the bullet points:

  • With one brilliant offseason move, the Buffalo Bills gave quarterback Josh Allen a top-10 supporting cast. The trade to acquire Stefon Diggs gave Allen the true No. 1 option he has been missing and made the duo of Cole Beasley and John Brown one of the league’s top complementary units.

  • Running back Devin Singletary was explosive as a rookie in 2019, racking up 775 rushing yards and 194 receiving yards while splitting time with veteran Frank Gore. With rookie third-rounder Zack Moss replacing Gore, Allen should have a strong backfield to support his own rushing ability.

  • At tight end, the Bills have Dawson Knox, who proved to be a fine contributor as a rookie last season. The Mississippi product is a reliable if unspectacular checkdown option who should split time with a healthy Tyler Kroft in 2020.

B/R goes onto explain that there’s a chance Allen has a look at becoming a “reliable passer” in next season with such help. What could help the most is also the non-pass relating to the Bills offense.

With Zack Moss teaming up with Devin Singletary in Buffalo’s backfield, there’s a formidable pair, at least on paper, behind Allen. Opposing defenses will have to respect that young duo of rushers behind Allen in the Bills’ backfield, which could help push the passing attack forward.

Diggs and the trickle-down effect that he’ll have on Buffalo’s offensive playmakers won’t hurt, either.

 

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Bills RB Zack Moss named ‘instant impact’ rookie

USA TODAY’s Nate Davis says Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss will be an instant impact rookie.

Utah running back Zack Moss found himself a nice landing spot at the 2020 NFL Draft, says USA TODAY.

Pegging 20 rookies from the recent rookie selection process that could be “instant impact” newcomers, the new Buffalo Bills running back appeared on the list.

Here’s why, according to Nate Davis:

This offense could use a tone setter following the departure of Frank Gore, who led Buffalo with 166 carries in 2019. Moss could certainly step into that breach and provide a physical presence – and perhaps significantly improve on Gore’s 3.6 yards per carry last year – while ceding passing downs to second-year RB Devin Singletary. Definitely potential for a very nifty and highly complementary set of runners.

Welp, that’s the plan for the Bills on paper. Goodbye  Gore, hello Moss. There’s a perfect spot for Moss in Buffalo’s offense, and one that Gore didn’t exactly thrive in down the stretch. Early in the season? Gore was a revelation for the Bills, but Buffalo’s coaching staff will hope Moss provides some of that physical play for longer stretches than Gore did in 2019. If Moss does successfully do so, he’ll help provide more assistance for the Bills’ entire offense, from Singletary to quarterback Josh Allen.

In total, 20 players were named to USA TODAY’s list. Of those, the Bills face a few in 2020. Those include Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs, Rams running back Cam Akers, Patriots tight end Devin Asiasi, Jets cornerback Bryce Hall and Chargers wide receiver KJ Hill.

 

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Zack Moss is PFF’s ‘name to watch’ on Bills

RB Zack Moss is Pro Football Focus’ name to watch on Buffalo Bills.

Pro Football Focus thinks Zack Moss might actually turn out to be Buffalo’s No. 1 running back. That’s a good problem for the Bills to have.

PFF recently placed a “name to watch” for every team in the NFL next season and Moss is Buffalo’s selection.

The football analytics outlet notes that Moss was very high on their pre-draft board in their explanation:

For a long time, Moss was PFF’s RB1 in the 2020 NFL Draft. A disappointing showing at the Scouting Combine and D’Andre Swift’s top-of-the-class ability as a receiver ultimately pushed him down to our second-ranked running back, but no running back in the draft was more elusive than Moss. He forced the third-most missed tackles on the ground during his career with the Utes of any running back since PFF began charting college football in 2014. Moss has all the tools to become a three-down back, and while Singletary may hold the edge right now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Moss eventually earn the lion’s share of the snaps at running back by the end of the season.

Again, what a good problem for the Bills to have? Devin Singletary eventually took over the top snaps from Frank Gore last season and if he’s battling Moss to do so again in 2020? Perhaps that battle can bring the best out of both players?

In addition to these two talents, the Bills are hoping keeping their entire starting offensive line together helps the offense as a whole next season. That includes the running game.

For what it’s worth, here’s who PFF thinks the rest of the “names to watch” in the AFC East are:

Dolphins: S Brandon Jones

Jets: LBs Bryce Hall/ Avery Williamson

Patriots: DE Josh Uche

 

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Devin Singletary, Zack Moss have room to climb in backfield ranking

Buffalo Bills running backs in Bleacher Report’s backfield duos rankings.

There’s optimism surrounding the Buffalo Bills backfield in regard to the future.

But currently, it’s not very high, according to Bleacher Report.

B/R ranked every backfield duo in the NFL ahead of 2020. The Bills’ duo of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss landed way back at No. 25 overall.

While the future could look bright for the Bills in this area, that’s really just on paper though, so B/R’s listing is justified. Singletary has only played 12 games in the NFL. Moss is a rookie. The Bills have one of the most inexperienced groups in the entire league at the position.

Overall, the Bills have the lowest-ranked group in the entire division as well. The veteran-led Jets are among the best in the rankings at No. 3. But that just goes to show you that the running game goes way beyond just running backs. The Jets and Le’Veon Bell had a terrible 2019 season. That fell mostly on their offensive line play. A lot of moving pieces here.

But to round out the AFC East: Patriots at 14 and Dolphins at 21.

 

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