Tag: Zack Moss

PODCAST: Bills 2020 Draft recap; How’d they do?

Buffalo Bills Wire podcast on the Buffalo Bills and 2020 NFL Draft.

For the first time in seemingly forever, the Buffalo Bills entered a NFL Draft without much need for urgency.

Of course, you want to hit at every pick, but it was nice to know that the future of the team didn’t ultimately depend on any selections made in this 2020 draft.

Utilizing their seven draft picks, Beane acquired it’s highest priority, a second running back to complement Devin Singletary. He also grabbed depth at receiver, adding two pieces to aide join the likes of Diggs, Beasley, Brown and others. A quality prospect for the defensive line, and a cornerback were sprinkled in as well.

Perhaps the most surprising choices were quarterback Jake Fromm and kicker Tyler Bass. Those two choices have been quite the discussion topic in the stratosphere of Buffalo social media. Regardless of what side you are on, how long has it’s been since the Bills could get away with something like this? It’s a good feeling.

Billswire Podcast Hosts Matt Johnson and Jeremy Juhasz recap the weekend, and discuss the newest acquisitions:

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. grades Bills 2020 draft among NFL’s best

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. gives his 2020 NFL Draft grade on Buffalo Bills.

No first-round pick? No problem for Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane.

ESPN NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. still thinks Beane’s Bills hit it out of the park at the 2020 NFL Draft.

Among the NFL’s 32 teams, Kiper gave the Bills a final grade of B-plus for their draft haul. That was the fourth-best grade handed out by him.

Here’s how Kiper break it down:

After the Bills lost their two leading sackers from 2019 (Jordan Phillips and Shaq Lawson), I thought they should go with a defensive end in Round 2, even after adding veteran Mario Addison in free agency. And that’s what they did at No. 54, taking AJ Epenesa, a hulking 275-pounder who fits this scheme. Epenesa was inconsistent at the start of 2019, but he played like a first-rounder down the stretch. I don’t know that he’ll ever be a consistent double-digit sack guy in the NFL, but he should be a good starter.

Buffalo also added some help in the backfield with running back Zack Moss (86), whom I had at No. 50 on my board. This team has a solid one-two punch with Moss and Devin Singletary. On Day 3, the Bills stopped quarterback Jake Fromm’s (167) slide, and it’s a decent landing spot for him. Fromm had some supporters within the league, but he faded last season and his accuracy dropped. Is he ever going to be more than a solid backup? It’s unclear, but Buffalo will take that in Round 5. It also got my top-ranked kicker in Tyler Bass (188), and cornerback Dane Jackson is good value late in the draft.

The Bills certainly kept it interesting but impressive at the draft. Entering things, the Bills didn’t really have a need. Even with their defensive end losses, Buffalo still has Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison. But the writing was on the wall with their ages. Both were over 30 so you’d really like some youth there.

Behind that, Buffalo could’ve used some depth at on offense in their playmaking spots. Two wideouts and a potential starting-caliber running back? That’s an impressive haul for Beane, who also deserves credit for putting his team in a position to not have an “pressing” needs heading into the draft. Still, we’ll see how all these picks play out on the field… eventually.

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Buffalo Bills full 2020 NFL Draft class

Full list of the Buffalo Bills’ 2020 NFL Draft class and picks.

The 2020 NFL Draft has come and gone for the Buffalo Bills. It took a little bit to hear their name, but the Bills finally made some picks.

And to many, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane made his seven total selections count. Despite not having a first-round pick, the two sixth-round picks gave Beane and the Bills their full load of seven picks in the seven-round draft process.

So here it is, your full Bills 2020 draft class:

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12 things to know about new Bills RB Zack Moss

Things to know about Buffalo Bills third-round pick at 2020 NFL Draft, Utah running back Zack Moss.

After starting things off with pass rusher AJ Epenesa, the Bills didn’t wait much longer to nab their first addition to their offense at the 2020 NFL Draft.

After Epenesa in Round 2, it was running back Zack Moss in Round 3, pick No. 86. It’s the second year in a row the Bills selected a running back in the third round.

Moss will pair up with Devin Singletary to potentially create a dynamic duo out of their backfield. Therefore, you’re going you’ll want to know more about the man.

Here are 12 things to know about new Bills running back Zack Moss:

Utah Utes running back Zack Moss. Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Miami decommit

Moss and Singletary actually have crossed paths already. Way, way back, in fact. During his conference call with the media after being picked by the Bills, Moss said he knows Singletary already as they’re both from Florida. Speaking of Florida, his plan changed there once upon a time.

Moss played his college ball at Utah. At first, he planned to at the University of Miami. Playing early ball at nearby Hallandale High School, Moss made a verbal commitment to the University of Miami and then rescinded it.

The Hurricanes fired coach Al Golden in October 2015 following a 58-0 loss to Clemson, the worst defeat in program history. At the time, Moss reaffirmed his commitment to the Miami Herald and over social media. Then, things changed and he wanted to get away from home. He also had offers from Cincinnati and Appalachian State, but ended up opting for Utah.

On a side note, Moss actually transferred schools as a high school senior as well, so the process was nothing new to him.

 

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National media reacts to Bills’ selections of AJ Epenesa, Zack Moss

The Bills finally got on the draft board on Friday at the 2020 NFL Draft. Buffalo didn’t have a pick on Day 1, but with their two on Day 2, the Bills landed guys for both sides of the ball. Guys who both potentially could leave their mark on game …

The Bills finally got on the draft board on Friday at the 2020 NFL Draft. Buffalo didn’t have a pick on Day 1, but with their two on Day 2, the Bills landed guys for both sides of the ball.

Guys who both potentially could leave their mark on game day.

Those two players are defensive end AJ Epenesa and running back Zack Moss and some took notice of the Bills’ haul.

Here’s what some national football analysts had to say about Buffalo’s picks:

Mike Clay, ESPN

Luke Easterling, Draft Wire

Chris Simms, NBC Sports

Steve Wyche, NFL Network

Thor Nystrom, Rotoworld/ NBC Sports

Austin Gayle, Pro Football Focus

Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com

Bill Barnwall, ESPN

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Bills tried to trade up for ‘Beast Mode 2.0’ but got Zack Moss anyway

The Bills wanted Utah running back Zack Moss at the 2020 NFL Draft. So they took him.

The Bills wanted Utah running back Zack Moss at the 2020 NFL Draft, so they took him.

But the actual story was a bit rockier as Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane explained following the second day of the event.

The Bills saw Moss fall to them at the No. 86 overall pick in Round 3. Following the festivities, Beane said at no point did he try to trade up in the second round. But in the third round? He tried to and failed, all because he wanted Moss.

“The second [pick] one was much more stressful to be honest with you,” Beane said. “We had Moss in a pretty good spot up there.”

Turns out it was a blessing in disguise and the Bills got him anyway.

“We were making some calls [to move up in Round 3],” Beane said. “(Moss) is a guy, I felt, fit a need, but we had him a little higher than [on their draft board] where we got him.”

“He was sticking out on the board,” Beane added.

In Moss, the Bills are landing a physical complementary runner to their incumbent in Devin Singeltary, someone Moss said he already knows since they’re both Florida natives. Singletary called to welcome Moss to Buffalo, the rookie said.

That complement is an important role for the Bills, as Frank Gore proved last season. It makes sense that Beane would get antsy.

But Moss didn’t exactly compare his running style to Gore’s. Instead, he did so with another former Bills back, Marshawn Lynch, otherwise known as “Beast Mode.”

“I think a lot of people just see the way I run, the low center of gravity and the base that I run with, things like that,” Moss said. “They like to compare it there. But I’m just trying to come out and be myself. Marshawn is definitely a guy any back wants to be compared to. He’s one of the best to ever do it and a guy I’ve been watching for a very long time.”

In Lynch’s career with the Bills which spanned four years, he rushed for 2,765 yards. That’s a number Moss will hope to beat with the Bills as surpassing tough goals is something he had a knack for. At Utah, Moss set six records and included that is his 4,067 rushing yards which make him the program’s all-time leader. After a 1,416-yard season as a senior last year, Moss was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.

While he wasn’t the most patient one in the war room, this one might’ve paid off for Beane and the Bills if the do find themselves “Beast Mode 2.0.”

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5 Bills takeaways from Day 2 of 2020 NFL Draft

Takeaways from the second and third rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft and the Buffalo Bills.

We had some takeaways from the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday. The Bills didn’t even hold a pick.

On Friday as Day 2 kicked off, Buffalo had two.

Do the math, you know there’s things to takeaway from the second and third rounds.

Here are five takeaways from the Bills’ on Day 2 of the NFL Draft:

How did trade situations ultimately play out?

The Bills had two picks at No. 54 and No. 86 on Day 2. That means there were two opportunities to trade. In both cases, the Bills had no movements. Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said following Friday’s events that that he did considering moving at least one of them, though.

But it wasn’t his first one in Round 2. In fact, via a conference call, Beane said he made no calls trying to move up in the second round.

“We liked who was on the board [in Round 2],” Beane said.

The third round was a different story, though.

“The second one was much more stressful to be honest with you,” Beane said. “We had Moss in a pretty good spot up there.”

“We were making some calls [to move up in Round 3],” Beane said. “(Moss) is a guy, I felt, fit a need, but we had him a little higher than where we got him.”

“He was sticking out on the board,” Beane added.

The GM said had the Bills traded up, Moss would have still been the pick.

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Instant analysis: Bills add their complementary RB in Zack Moss

It will likely be Devin Singletary and Zack Moss as the one-two punch in Buffalo’s backfield next season. 

It will likely be Devin Singletary and Zack Moss as the one-two punch in the Bills’ backfield next season. With their slotted pick in the third round, No. 86 overall, Buffalo pulled the trigger on Utes RB Zack Moss.

At 5-foot-10 and 222 pounds Moss packs a punch. A physical runner with his best work coming between the tackles, his best attributes include vision, contact balance, power, competitive toughness and footwork. Moss had nearly 800 carries in college with three consecutive seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards, at least 5.5 yards per carry and double-digit touchdowns.

As a receiver, he improved in that area during his senior season and projects well in pass protection. He is fiercely competitive and plenty shifty and elusive given his size. Moss had a poor 40 time at the recent scouting combine, a 4.65-second clip, the fourth-worst among backs there, but you might not think that after watching his tape.

One item of concern is Moss’ injury history. The most severe was a torn meniscus in 2018, but the physical back also banged up his hand and shoulder throughout his collegiate career. Moss stayed healthy in 2019, showing a lot of promise and proving to teams that the injuries were behind him.

Running back was a position of need after Frank Gore is presumably not a candidate being brought back in the fold. Buffalo still has T.J. Yeldon on the roster and signed special teams ace and familiar face, Taiwan Jones, in free agency. Throughout the pre-draft process, the Bills produced what was a very obvious smokescreen, continually saying that the team should be fine with TJ Yeldon in the backfield next season. Yeldon was inactive in numerous games last season, so it’s not surprising that the Bills landed a running back on Day 2.

Moss’s selection in the third round indicates the Bills were serious about supporting Singletary and adding depth to the position. In a league where monitoring carries has been a theme, Moss should provide the short-yardage, goal-line and welcome change of pace for the offensive attack.

The acquisition of Moss likely takes Buffalo out of any trade discussions for Leonard Fournette, who Jacksonville is rumored to be shopping. But that could be a good thing considering the salary cap. Fournette, the former No. 1 overall pick, has a hit near $8 million next season, and the Bills don’t need to trade assets for a guy like him. Instead they used their own to take Moss.

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2020 NFL Draft: Grading the Bills’ Day 2 picks

Overall, the immediate reaction: the Bills made high marks with two impactful picks on Friday night. 

Without a first-round pick, the Buffalo Bills would need to make an impact by finding players who saw their names slid into the second day of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Buffalo did extremely well, finding another ideal fit for their defense in the second round with Iowa defensive end AJ Epenesa. Then the team followed up by selecting running back Zach Moss in the third round.

Overall, the immediate reaction: Buffalo made high marks with two impactful picks on Friday night.

Here’s how Bills Wire grades out Buffalo’s haul on Day 2:

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end A.J. Epenesa. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Round 2 | No. 54 | DE AJ Epenesa | Iowa

Grade: A

The draft board fell into the Bills’ lap. They had their pick of any number of edge rushers, deciding to go with Epenesa. With Epenesa, The Bills get a versatile pass-rushing lineman. He played as a traditional edge rusher in college, and he also played snaps as a pass-rushing defensive tackle on the interior. Epenesa earned MVP honors at this year’s Holiday Bowl, registering two-and-a-half sacks and forcing one fumble. Epenesa also earned first-team, All-Big Ten honors as a senior. He was disruptive during his final two seasons in Iowa, recording a total of 22 sacks and eight forced fumbles.

Buffalo was in need of an edge rusher, and Epenesa fills that void to a degree. He does a little bit of everything fairly well, playing physically against the run as well as getting in the quarterback’s face with the prior mentioned sack totals. He’s powerful and physical at the point of attack; Bills fans will find that “power” will be a word used consistently when describing Epenesa’s game. However, Epenesa does not have that explosive burst of the top tier pass rushers in the draft and he didn’t prove he has it at the combine. He does make up for that fact with force; he’s direct when tracking down the ball carrier or quarterback. Epenesa wins battles in the trenches, and that will endear him to the Bills coaching staff. As he develops a greater arsenal of pass rush moves, he will be even more effective.

With the defensive ends on the Bills roster getting up there in age, both Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes are 30-plus years old already, Epenesa looks to be a good choice to support the unit in the long term. Buffalo is a great spot for Epenesa, as he will have time to refine his game before playing even more snaps. He’s a complete player that fits Sean McDermott’s defense nicely. For now, he’ll be a rotational player who can keep the energy at a high level.

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Bills pick RB Zack Moss with third-round pick

Buffalo Bills’ third-round pick at 2020 NFL Draft is running back Zack Moss.

[jwplayer ELZb5aMr-ThvAeFxT]

The Buffalo Bills are rounding out their current Day 2 picks at the 2020 NFL Draft with a player on offense after going defense in Round 1 with AJ Epenesa.

The Bills selected Utah running back Zack Moss with the No. 86 pick in the third round of the selection process.

Moss reportedly met with the Bills multiple times during the pre-draft process. He’s viewed as a power-complementary rusher to Devin Singletary, who was one of the the Bills’ two third-round picks at last year’s draft (Dawson Knox).

Moss uses a 5-foot-9, 223-pound frame o make arm tacklers a useless defender when he’s on the field. Moss also has a knack for finding the holes in the backfield to get to the next level on carries. Moss is a touted pass protector, too.

But Moss doesn’t have much overbearing speed, clocking in at a 4.65 40-yard dash time, tied for the fourth-worst time among all running backs at the combine. That may not matter as much with Singletary’s shifty running style, though. In addition, Singletary didn’t overly impress running at the combine himself, putting up a 4.66-second 40 time.

Singletary still seemed to work just fine for the Bills.

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