Tag: Zack Moss

B/R ranks Bills skill positions as best in AFC East

Bleacher Report says the Buffalo Bills have the best skill position in the AFC East.

The Patriots lost a lot on offense. The Dolphins are young. The Jets are… the Jets.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills added a top-tier wide receiver to their roster during the 2020 offseason, a group the club added to mightily a year ago. It comes as little surprise that the Bills’ offensive skill positions are ranked the best in the AFC East by Bleacher Report recently.

B/R breaks down the Bills’ playermakers here:

At least part of Josh Allen’s success a year ago is attributable to the improvements the Bills made at wide receiver in 2019 free agency. John Brown tallied career highs in both catches (72) and yardage (1,060) during his first year in Buffalo, while slot maven Cole Beasley pitched in a 67/778/6 stat line.

The Bills took those improvements further in 2020, dealing their first-round pick in this year’s draft to the Minnesota Vikings for wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who piled up a career-best 1,130 receiving yards while averaging almost 18 yards per catch last season.

Finally, while the Bills are young and a tad unproven at running back, there’s quite a bit of talent there. Devin Singletary averaged 5.1 yards per carry and came just shy of 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, while third-round pick Zack Moss offers depth and a physical between-the-tackles presence.

Of course, this whole breakdown comes to one player mostly: Allen. The QB improved following his rookie season, but everyone between Buffalo and Rochester and beyond wants to see the signal caller have an even better year in 2020. Allen’s stat that’s treated most critically is his completion percentage. With all these additions in mind around him, Allen should see his completion rate jump above the 58.8 percent mark next season. Diggs is among the best at making contested catches in the entire NFL, while Brown and Beasley already have a year’s worth of chemistry with the QB.

 

[lawrence-related id=62114,62085,62077,61941]

Is Bills QB Josh Allen the NFL’s best magician? (video)

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen does magic trick for rookie running back Zack Moss.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen improved in 2019 from his rookie season, but the jury is still out on the signal caller.

With the third year approaching for Allen and the other members of the 2017 first-round QB class, several have plenty to prove. Lamar Jackson is fresh off an MVP year, but guys such as Allen, Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield are hoping to shorten the gap in 2020.

These players all hope to find some magic on the field in order to do so, but Allen clearly already has found it off the field, at least.

A video surfaced on social media on Wednesday and it shows Allen, the magician. Like Harry Houdini magician… seriously.

In the footage, Allen does a trick with two cups and a ball. Simple enough. But the magic blew the mind of some of his teammates that Allen is working out with this offseason, namely third-round rookie running back from Utah Zack Moss.

Did Allen’s magic trick you too? Check it out below:

 

[lawrence-related id=98204,98272,98170,98142]

WATCH: Josh Allen the magician blows Zack Moss’s mind

Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen does a magic trick for rookie RB Zack Moss.

Buffalo Bills fans know Josh Allen is a wizard on the field, right?

Well, he’s got some explaining to do off the field…

A video surfaced of the Bills quarterback doing a magic trick that did nothing short of blowing the mind of one of his rookie teammates, Zack Moss.

The running back has been among a group of rookies that have been able to workout with Allen during the offseason, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic making such things difficult. While taking a break, of sorts, from the field, the literal magic appears to happen.

Did Allen trick you too?

Here’s the clip via Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber:

 

[lawrence-related id=61941,61969,61976,61977]

Bills RB Zack Moss unveals ‘Moss mode’

Buffalo Bills RB Zack Moss discusses ‘Moss mode.’

Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss often said in the pre-draft process he compares himself to former Bills running back Marshawn Lynch. The two play a similar, hard-nosed game.

Lynch dubbed his running style as “beast mode” during his later career with the Seahawks. Moss is following suit a bit. His own personal website even has it draped across the top of it. The Utah product is calling his style “Moss mode.”

It’s a perfect comparison to give one some insight into how Moss runs. Tough and powerful. But while on NFL Network on Friday, Moss put a clear definition behind it for opposing defenses to know.

“To just not be tackled. To make sure I’m not being tackled by one guy. If you want to tackle me, it’s going to have to be a business decision,” Moss told Good Morning Football. “It’s all night, it’s all game, it’s four quarters long of just punishment. Just trying to be the most dominant player on the field every time I have the ball in my hands.”

According to Buffalo general manger Brandon Beane following the 2020 NFL Draft, Moss is going to have a chance to show exactly those talents with the Bills. While the Bills do have Devin Singletary already in their backfield, Buffalo is going to give Moss some Frank Gore looks.

“I think more of the goal line and things like that as we did with Frank last year, you’ll see Zack do. I think Devin will do a similar role that he had,” Beane said following the draft.

Some are pegging Moss as a bit more than that even. Some post-draft analysis, such as Pro Football Focus, has Moss as a guy who could see more touches than Singletary eventually. But even if the Bills settle for the one-two punch with the two of them, and it’s successful? Buffalo could have one dynamic duo for years to come in their backfield.

 

[lawrence-related id=61477,61507,60734,61464]

LOOK: Josh Allen, Matt Barkley workout with 3 Bills rookies

Buffalo Bills Josh Allen, Matt Barkley, Isaiah Hodgins, Gabriel Davis, Zack Moss have offseason workout together.

The picture isn’t exactly social distancing guidelines, but Buffalo Bills quarterbacks Josh Allen and Matt Barkley managed to find a way to workout with some of their new teammates recently (safely, probably).

Bills Wire’s Bradley Gelber unearthed this photo of Allen and Barkley, posing for a photo with (from left to right) sixth-round receiver Isaiah Hodgins, fourth-round rookie Gabriel Davis and third-round running back Zack Moss. Check it out:

Sharing the photo originally was Bert Whigham, a personal trainer that specializes in NFL Combine speed and conditioning. Following the recent draft, Whigham chatted with the Bills Wire Podcast. He helped Moss and Davis prep for the draft. Click here to check out that interview.

[lawrence-related id=61414,61398,61391,61380]

The best bets for 2020 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

LSU teammates Joe Burrow and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are among those in line for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Who else might take the prize?

Rookies will have an unusually tough go of things in the 2020 NFL season. The lack of physical preparation time with their new coaches and teammates, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, makes an already difficult ramp-up time even more severe.

Kyler Murray, the 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year, had the perfect triumvirate of starting opportunity, a set of schemes favorable to his skill set, and the talent to make the most of it all.

Here, in reverse order, are the rookies with the best chance to mirror Murray’s success — and take home the award that’s now his.

Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Washington Redskins

(Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports)

New Redskins head coach Ron Rivera has intimated that over time, he may use Gibson as he used Christian McCaffrey with the Panthers — as a five-tool, yards after catch monster. Gibson needs work with the finer points of the running back position, and with a full route tree as a receiver, which is why he went in the third round instead of the first. But there’s no denying his explosive potential — in 2019 for Memphis, he broke 16 tackles on 33 rushing attempts, and 17 tackles on 38 catches. Moreover, he averaged an insane 11.2 yards per carry as a runner. Gibson is raw, but he’ll add a ton to Washington’s offense.

Zack Moss, RB, Buffalo Bills

(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Moss somehow fell to the 86th overall pick in the third round despite his three-year run of 1,000-yard seasons with Utah. He’ll have to share time with Devin Singletary in Buffalo’s backfield, but this is a guy who broke 89 tackles last season and gained 1,042 yards after contact. With toughness and agility, he brings another former Bills draft pick — Marshawn Lynch — to mind.

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

First overall draft pick Joe Burrow will enjoy throwing to Higgins, the Clemson alum, who was selected with the first overall pick in the second round. He was debited a bit in a deep receiver class, but he brings A.J. Green — who Burrow will also be throwing to — to mind with his wild catch radius, deep speed, and ability to make the contested catch. His combination of size (6’4″, 205 pounds) and vertical production (15 catches and six touchdowns on passes of 20 or more air yards) is unmatched in this class.

Cam Akers, RB, Los Angeles Rams

(Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports)

The Rams’ running back situation is up in the air as Todd Gurley is now in Atlanta, and Darrell Henderson is more of a situational back. Akers was selected with the 52nd overall pick in the second round after gaining 1,144 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns on just 231 carries. That he did so in Florida State’s dumpster fire of an offense augurs well for his NFL future, and he won’t lack for opportunities.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

ESPN Insider predicts Bills’ Zack Moss to become ‘one of NFL’s best’

ESPN’s Mike Clay on Buffalo Bills running back Zack Moss.

Zack Moss was the ninth running back selected in the 2020 NFL Draft, coming off the board at pick No. 86 to the Buffalo Bills.

Despite that, one ESPN Insider sees Moss landing in a perfect spot for him to blossom. Well, not only that, but to turn into one of the NFL’s top running backs in the entire league.

A group of national analysts for the world-wide leader pegged some rookie predictions. Among them was Mike Clay who massively pumped the tires on Moss to the Bills:

Mike Clay, fantasy writer: Zack Moss will emerge as one of the league’s best rushers. Moss fell to the Buffalo Bills in the third round after running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, but that can’t overshadow his absurd rushing efficiency at Utah; he ranked second in this year’s rookie class in both yards after contact and forced missed tackle rate last season. Moss is big (223 pounds), tough, quick and has receiving chops. He is this year’s Jordan Howard/Chris Carson.

Many observers of the Bills pegged Jordan Howard as a potential offseason addition for Buffalo. If that’s what Moss turns into, that’ll be exactly what Buffalo’s offense needs.

In 2019, Frank Gore was a solid rusher early in the season, but appeared to lose that step later on. In Moss and Devin Singletary, the Bills will have a formidable one-two punch moving forward, or at least it appears that way on paper right now. Singletary showed his stuff already, now fingers crossed that Moss can slide right into the pro game from college.

And make no mistake, Singletary will still have a role with the Bills even if Moss does emerge as a great back. But of all Buffalo’s rookies, even second-round pick AJ Epenesa, Moss has the most clear-cut, instant impact opportunity for the 2020 season. Enjoy both of your running backs, Buffalo.

 

[lawrence-related id=61163,61141,61124,61101]

Bills 53-man roster projection, post-2020 NFL Draft

A 53-man roster projection for the Buffalo Bills following the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Buffalo Bills 2020 NFL Draft is well over with now. We’re still waiting for the team to announce their class of undrafted rookie free agent signees and well…we just got tired of waiting.

It’s time for a way, way, way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the Bills ahead of the 2020 season… and way before the team does any sort of actual… workouts, practices, preseason games, and all that stuff.

Let’s just have some fun then, shall we?

Way-too-early roster projections here:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Quarterback (2)

Josh Allen, Jake Fromm

Cuts: Matt Barkley, Davis Webb

The Bills could certainly keep both Matt Barkley and Jake Fromm on their final roster behind Josh Allen. But one thing Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott loves to do is keep two quarterbacks on the roster and another packed away on the practice squad. Could that third be Davis Webb or even somebody else?

On Barkley, two thoughts: he’s been viewed as the “veteran” to Allen. While yes, he is older, Allen is far the elder in terms of game experience, having started 27 NFL games to Barkley’s seven and Barkley could save the Bills near $1.5 million against the salary cap.

 

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9

Zack Moss says Bills run similar offense to his college team

The Bills were excited about adding Utah running back Zack Moss in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

The Bills were excited about adding Utah running back Zack Moss in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said he actually tried to trade up for Moss, but ended up waiting for him. He still got his man in Moss at the No. 85 overall pick.

In bringing in Moss, Beane also said he’ll have a role in Buffalo’s offense with Devin Singletary. The two will complement one another.

“I think more of the goal line and things like that as we did with Frank last year, you’ll see Zack do. I think Devin will do a similar role that he had,” Beane said following the draft.

But while both will certainly get their touches, there’s reason to believe that Moss can come right in and produce for the Bills. He recently revealed that the Bills playbook on offense is very similar to the one he used at Utah. That same playbook helped Moss crack that program’s record book over and over again.

“Obviously football is football,” Moss said to KJZZ-TV. “Definitely they, Buffalo, has run some of the same offensive things that we’ve done in Utah.”

“From that standpoint, everything is pretty much the same to me,” Moss added.

Furthermore, Moss explained that in his brief conversations he’s had with the Bills since the draft, the team has some plans for him and they might not take too long to get to them.

“The biggest thing [the Bills told him] is they definitely want me to come in and play early and they to help this team win games. They play rookies. They played the most percentage of rookie (snaps) last year at 40 percent in the league,” Moss said. “If I’m playing early on in the year or late in the year, it’s on me, so I’m just doing my part, trying to learning the playbook and be ready to come in and show what I can do.”

“They do a lot of good things on offense,” he added.

Don’t fret Singletary supporters. Both Bills backs will get their carries next season, but if Moss has a leg up after his college career? That’s a massive sign. He set six records at Utah, including career 100-yard rushing games (18), rushing touchdowns (38) and rushing yards with 4,167 total.

The Bills will certainly take that sort of production.

 

[lawrence-related id=60729,60723,60673,60621]

Winners, losers following Bills 2020 NFL Draft

Winners and losers on the Buffalo Bills roster following the 2020 NFL Draft.

As is with every draft, every player on the Buffalo Bills got some new teammates. But depending on who those players are… some incumbents from last season are feeling pretty comfy about things.

While others now have a young guy in their position group, potentially vying for their job.

If the 2020 NFL Draft is the fence right down the middle of things, one side of it has some winners while the other has some losers on Buffalo’s roster.

Here’s our list of winners and losers on the Bills roster following the recent draft:

Losers

Buffalo Bills running back T.J. Yeldon. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

RB TJ Yeldon

Both Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane said prior to the draft that they’d be fine with their backfield being Devin Singletary and TJ Yeldon.

It was their most obvious smokescreen to the rest of the NFL.

Everyone knew the Bills wanted a guy like Zack Moss. Bigger, more like Frank Gore and less like Singletary. Yeldon was not that guy. If Yeldon makes Buffalo’s final roster, he’ll likely be a candidate to be inactive plenty on game day once again like he was last year. There’s little chance he’ll see running back snaps next season unless injury strikes.

 

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5