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Buffalo Bills: Re-drafting the 2020 NFL Draft one year later

By Kendall Mirsky

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Josh Norman #29 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with A.J. Epenesa #57 after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Bills Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 03: Josh Norman #29 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates with A.J. Epenesa #57 after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter at Bills Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Zack Moss #20 of the Buffalo Bills shakes off Ja’Whaun Bentley #51 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 01: Zack Moss #20 of the Buffalo Bills shakes off Ja’Whaun Bentley #51 of the New England Patriots during the fourth quarter at Bills Stadium on November 01, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

Round 3 – Pick 22 (86th Overall)

After optimizing their value in the second round by drafting Epenesa over Dobbins, the Buffalo Bills front office doubled up on that idea by selecting the best running back on the board Zack Moss. Moss had an incredible career at the University of Utah, where he led the Pac-12 in several categories in his final season as a Ute. Moss led the Pac-12 conference in total touchdowns, rushing yards, and yards from scrimmage, while also finishing 3rd in the conference for total points scored and 4th in rushing yards per attempt.

The Bills knew by drafting a physical runner like Moss, it would compliment the elusiveness of Singletary perfectly at the running back position. Although Moss was sidelined by injury for a decent chunk of his rookie year, he still proved he has some solid playmaking ability.

As alluded to before, the struggles of this 2020 Bills rushing attack can be placed most heavily on the play of the offensive line. With that being said, Moss showed that he was able to churn out tough yards despite bad blocking.

The best way to prove the drop off in run blocking from 2019 to 2020 for the Buffalo Bills is to look at the yards before contact averages from Singletary and Frank Gore last year compared to Singletary and Moss this year. Last year, Singletary averaged 2.7 and Gore averaged 1.6 rushing yards per attempt before contact. This year, Singletary averaged 1.5 and Moss averaged 1.8 yards per attempt before contact.

The only other area that the Bills could have gone with their third round pick was at cornerback. The Pro Football Focus top graded rookie cornerback was Cameron Dantzler who was selected just three picks after the Bills grabbed Moss. With the acquisition of Josh Norman last offseason and Levi Wallace on his cheap deal, it was more prudent to focus on rounding out the running back room with their third round pick.

Furthermore, on top of his contributions as a ball carrier, Moss was one of the best, if not the best pass blocking running back in his draft class.

Original Pick: Zack Moss

Re-Draft Pick: Zack Moss

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