Buffalo’s first pick won’t occur until Day 2 of the NFL Draft as the team picks No. 54.
By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The Buffalo Bills first scheduled draft selection won’t occur until Day 2 of the 2020 NFL Draft, as the team picks No. 54 overall.
Luckily, the Bills do not have a glaring need on their roster, making this year’s draft quite intriguing. Buffalo’s front office, led by general manager Brandon Beane, can go in a multitude of directions with the pick, leaving quite a bit of interest and uncertainty with whom the Bills could select.
This position-by-position series will take a look at several realistic options of players who may be available for the team to select.
First, the series will take a view of the running back position:
Current roster
The Bills are fairly confident they have their No. 1 running back, or at least their 1A, in Devin Singletary. In his rookie season, Singletary wrestled the starting job away from Frank Gore. With no prospective player on the roster who could steal snaps from Singletary, it may be through the draft that Buffalo finds its complementary piece to Singletary. Other backs on the Bills’ current roster includes TJ Yeldon and special teamer Taiwan Jones.
Prospects to watch
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, LSU
Edwards-Helaire busted out last season, rushing for 1,414 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns for the eventual national champs. He averaged 6.6 yards per touch. He added 55 receptions out of the backfield last year.
At 5-foot-7, 207 pounds, he has a similar build to Singletary. Edwards-Helaire earned All-SEC honors as a junior, and was also a kick returner for the Tigers. He is an elusive running back in all facets of the game. In fact, while watching him, you may get the feeling that he is Singletary 2.0. The only knock on him is his pass protection, which will need to develop at the next level. Edwards-Helaire said at the combine that he met with the Bills.
Cam Akers, Florida State
Akers eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in two of his three seasons with the Seminoles. He is another compact, powerful back. At 5-foot-10, 217 pounds, he has the ability to break through lines and into the open field. He ran a 4.47 40-yard dash (unofficial) at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, illustrating his open field breakaway speed. He also put up 20 bench press reps, however, Akers isn’t the most polished pass protector, either. He has been compated to RB Mark Ingram by The Draft Network. Akers also said at the combine he spoke to the Bills.
Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
Taylor is a first-round talent whom some mocks may see dropping to Day 2. However, it’s definitely not due to his abilities; he may be a victim of the league looking at multi-back tandems as the norm. And, that could fall into Buffalo’s favor.
Taylor is a beast. At 5-foot-10, 226 pounds, he is powerful and agile. He has big-time speed, clocking in at 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He can be a home run hitter. He rushed for a ridiculous 6,174 yards in three seasons as a Badger. Add in 50 rushing touchdowns during this time, and it’s a wonder that some are mocking him to the Bills in the second round.
There’s a small chance that Taylor could be around at the 54th spot in the draft, but if he is around, it would be a solid best player available pick for the Bills.
JK Dobbins, Ohio State
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.
Like Taylor, Dobbins has first-round talent. Depending on how the teams interested in running backs select their choices, he could be a best player available option for the Bills, even if it’s a longshot.