By Justin DiLoro / Billswire.usatoday.com
The 2019 draft class is an exciting one for fans of the Buffalo Bills to watch develop. The team has two instant starters in defensive tackle Ed Oliver and offensive lineman Cody Ford. How fast these two players can reach their ceiling and become cornerstones of the franchise is something many cannot wait to see.
The remaining Bills picks filled needs on the roster with athletic and high-potential players. While several of later round picks will need time to develop and will most likely not see the field as starters, they may nevertheless contribute when called upon this fall.
Here are five reasons to be enthusiastic about the Bills’ 2019 draft class:
Ed Oliver will make the entire defense better
Oliver is an athletic freak who will instantly bolster the productivity of the entire defensive line. Opposing offenses will need to game plan for Oliver, who demonstrated a penchant for shooting gaps and getting in opponents backfields during his college career.
The No. 9 overall pick should complement whoever the Bills place opposite the opponent’s center next year. Star Loutulelei or Jordan Phillips will fill the role of space eater while Oliver can use his athleticism to exploit the space on the line. He will also help edge rushers Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes, as teams will need to account for Oliver.
Last season, the Bills had linebacker Lorenzo Alexander attack the interior of opponent’s offensive lines in certain blitz packages. While Alexander was productive, now consider a more versatile interior defensive lineman with an additional 40 pounds matching up against guards.
Oliver should also be able to hold his own against the run. He will take on blocks while freeing second-year middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to find space to attack ball carriers.
Cody Ford will help in all facets of blocking
Ford fell into the second round, and the Bills knew they needed to make an active move to acquire the offensive lineman with first-round talent. Thus, general manager Brandon Beane traded up to the 38th spot from No. 40 and snagged their second starter in the draft.
The Oklahoma product brings an edge to the offensive line, as he mauled opponents with his blocks. Ford played both tackle and guard during his time in college, and he was a plus player in both run and pass blocking. His versatility will give Buffalo options to where best to utilize him.
Ford should be an integral part of getting LeSean McCoy (or whoever is going to be carrying the rock this year) going on the ground. Additionally, Ford should be a cornerstone piece that keeps Josh Allen upright but can be a lead blocker when the signal caller breaks the pocket.
Viewers can only be excited about a player of this caliber being on the offensive line after watching this unit struggle with inconsistency in recent seasons.
The next generation running back is here
Buffalo can remain patient with their third-round pick, Devin Singletary. Singletary, who rushed the ball 714 times at Florida Atlantic, showed he can shoulder the load for an offense.
He has LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore ahead of him. Who better than to learn about the pro game? The due of 10,000-plus yard rushers can mentor “Motor” and help him acclimate to the pro game.
Singletary was a touchdown machine in college, totaling 66 rushing touchdowns for the Owls.
It remains to be seen how much action Singletary will have this season, since the Bills also recently signed running back TJ Yeldon. However, there will definitely be more snaps available after this season, as both McCoy’s and Gore’s contracts expire this year. As long as Singletary adjusts to professional life well, he will be in line to lead the Bills in carries in 2020 and beyond.
Dawson Knox could be the unsung hero from this draft
Knox switched from quarterback to tight end when starting his collegiate career, where he produced well at his new position. Knox, at 6-foot-4, provided a solid depth receiving option at Ole Miss. While his numbers were not stellar, as he was saddled behind a tremendous receiving corps, he did open the field up for Mississippi quarterbacks.
During his senior season, Knox averaged 18.9 yards per catch. He has also shown strength in engaging in blocks, demonstrating an all-around element to his craft.
Knox’s athleticism makes him an appealing player to root for, as he could bring production to the Bills tight end spot that has not been seen in quite a while. He has a shot at being Buffalo’s No. 2 tight end with a strong training camp. His only competition is Jason Croom, as it appears Tyler Kroft will hold down the top spot on the depth chart. Jake Fisher was also signed this offseason, but is expected to only serve potentially as a blocking tight end.
Once Knox refines his game at this level, he has a good shot at being one of the top receiving tight ends in the game. He has the ability to get open and find the ball, and he’s far from a finished product.
Depth with a purpose
Beane discussed how the Bills will draft for talent over need. However, both talent and need seemed to intersect on Day 3 of the draft, as Buffalo found several players who could make an impact on the field sooner than later.
As we know, the Bills found a gem in Matt Milano on Day 3 in 2017, while Taron Johnson played well in the secondary coming to Buffalo as a third day selection in 2018.
Linebacker Vosean Joseph is a developmental prospect, one who showed well on film at times but also showed some struggles with form and decision making. Buffalo is betting on him to iron out some flaws and become a depth player at a position which is wide open beyond the starters.
Safety Jaquan Johnson is in an unenviable spot of trying to nudge his way onto the roster at a position where the Bills are set. Still, Johnson could be an immediate special teams contributor for a unit that had many issues last season.
Defensive end Darryl Johnson is an high-motor project who gets after the quarterback. He is destined for the practice squad to further develop his pass rushing abilities at the next level. Conceivably, with Shaq Lawson and Jerry Hughes rounding out their contract years, there will be openings in 2020. Looking long term, Johnson, while it’s an uphill climb, could make some noise if he can develop all aspects of his game.
Tight end Tommy Sweeney could make some noise at the position where options are limited. Sweeney will be a practice squad player in the fall, but he could find his way hinting at the 53-man unit in 2020. He showed he could be a reliable option in the intermediate game. Fisher and Jason Croom could be free agents in 2020, so Sweeney needs to show his name needs to be part of the long-term discussion.
In any case, the Day 3 picks, with some good fortune, could see the field in the near future and become the next impact player from a late selection on the Bills roster.