By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills added some intriguing pieces to their roster on the third day of the 2020 NFL Draft. These prospects will be battling for a roster spot, undoubtedly pushing veterans for snaps this fall. With the uncertainty of training camp this summer, which is where these players usually make their first mark for their team, these players have an uncertain road ahead.
Here are the grades for the Buffalo’s draft picks on Saturday:
Round 5 | No. 167 | QB Jake Fromm | Georgia
Grade: B
The Bills added to the quarterback room with the fifth-round selection of Jake Fromm. He looks to be an ideal player to supplement the quarterback room. Fromm has been lauded for his game intelligence. He has the potential to be the backup in the future. Matt Barkley is under contract for one more year, and with a successful season, Fromm could step in as with the second team in 2021. A good litmus test for Fromm will be how he stacks up against Barkley in camp this year.
The stats were there for Fromm’s career. He needed his career with 78 touchdown passes to 18 interceptions thrown. Fromm lost several weapons in the Georgia offense prior to last year, and he still put up a solid stat line, completing 60.8-percent of his passes and throwing for 2,860 passing yards. His touchdown-to-interception ratio was nearly 5-to-1 (24 touchdowns-to-5 interceptions.)
There’s a couple of knocks on Fromm. He had a tremendous freshman year, but his play did not improve a great deal over the next two seasons. Fromm’s arm strength was exposed at the draft, as those with whom he was battling showed more promise. On a comparative level, that event may have knocked down Fromm a bit. Last year, he also had five consecutive games where he completed fewer than 50-percent of his passes. For a player who relies on accuracy and timing, this was a bit concerning.
Round | No. 188 | K Tyler Bass | Georgia Southern
Grade: C-
Bass is a potential kickoff specialist, as he allowed only nine kickoff returns last year. His 2018 campaign was quite impressive, as he made 19-of-21 field goals during that season.
However, last year his field goal percentage slid to 71.4-percent. He made only eight of 14 kicks from beyond 40 yards. In addition, his career-best field goal is 50 yards.
It’s an interesting pick, as apparently, the Bills have a little bit of a concern with Stephen Hauschka. Either that, or they hope to find Hauschka’s heir apparent. If that’s the case, hopefully, it’s smoother than Brett Favre’s “tutelage” of Aaron Rodgers. Hauschka has unfortunately struggled ever since he was injured in 2018, but he hasn’t been outright terrible, either.
Nevertheless, a sixth-round pick on a player on a kicker is something. The Bills could have created more competition at other positions with this pick. Unless there’s something medically wrong with Hauschka, it would be shocking to keep two kickers on the roster. With that in mind, this is a quizzical pick. This pick probably deserves a lower grade, but we’ll trust Brandon Beane’s magic on this one.
Round 6 | No. 207 | WR Isaiah Hodgins | Oregon State
Grade: A-
Day 3 is the perfect time to take a swing at some players that fit small needs. Hodgins is coming off a massive season with the Beavers. He caught 86 passes for 1,171 receiving yards and 13 touchdown receptions.
At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Hodgins is another big body who can win contested passes over defensive backs. Aside from being adept at winning high point passes, Hodgins has great hands and rarely has trouble with catchable passes. He has good body control in traffic as well and tracks the ball with ease. He has no problem going over the middle. Hodgins projects as a player who can play inside or outside.
The issue with Hodgins is his speed. He needs to work hard to find space. Defenders can stay on his hip without much trouble. The physical size is there to do good things at the next level. How Hodgins works to maximize his speed and separation will determine his level of success at the pro level.
Round 7 | No. 239 | CB Dane Jackson | Pittsburgh
Grade: B
The Bills rounded out their draft by selecting Jackson from Pittsburgh. He started 41 games for the Panthers over the past three years. During that time, he registered 131 total tackles, 35 pass breakups, and three interceptions. This past year, Jackson was a second-team All-ACC selection.
Jackson is an aggressive cornerback. He likes to crowd wide receivers and get into their space quickly. He is very competitive in all aspects of the game, whether it’s contested-catch throws, tackling receivers, or playing the run. He will stick with the receiver’s hip in the intermediate passing game.
With this in mind, he does have some limitations. There are times where his aggressiveness cost him, with respect to being beat in routes or penalties. In addition, he doesn’t have the best closing speed if he is beat on a route.
Jackson is a battler. His penchant to be physical is a trait that will be admired by the McDermott regime. However, McDermott and company will work to reign in Jackson from being overly aggressive. Jackson will provide depth in the secondary entering camp, particularly as a slot corner. He can play out wide as well, but he might fit better inside for the Bills. He is on the outside looking in to make the final roster, but there are some things to like about Jackson’s game, which make him a fit in this round.
Finishing it on a bright note: Jackson was actually graded as a fifth-round pick by NFL.com, pre-draft. A potential steal by the Bills?