The 2021 NFL Draft season is in full swing and the Buffalo Bills have already started doing their work on prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft. According to reports, the Bills recently reached out to the University of Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson.
Patterson had a breakout year this past season for the Bulls and jumped into the national spotlight with some incredible performances. This past season, Patterson ran for 1,072 rushing yards with an average of 7.6 yards per carry and 19 rushing touchdowns in only six games.
I can confirm the #Bills have reached out to @UBFootball running back Jaret Patterson (@__JP26)
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) February 17, 2021
(@JustinM_NFL on it first)
Buffalo was the first team to contact Patterson.
The #Jets, #Chargers, #Titans, #Chiefs and #Patriots have also reached out to the 2020 MAC OPOTY pic.twitter.com/fBMANHhlX5
These totals include a game against Bowling Green where he ran for 301 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up the next week with 409 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named MAC Offensive Player of the Year for this past season.
The running back position is an interesting one for the Buffalo Bills this offseason. This past year, Devin Singletary and Zack Moss struggled to keep the running game going and there is room for improvement.
However, what Patterson brings may not be what the Buffalo Bills need from the position. The focus for this offense should be to find a running back with break away speed, which is not a strength of his.
The interesting thing though, and why he may be a fit for this offense, is the elusiveness he possesses between the tackles. Jordan Reid of The Draft Network notes this in his scouting report:
"Patterson is highly effective in between the tackle and in tight spaces, where he’s shown to be capable of maneuvering his way through multiple levels of trash in order to come out clean."
While reading this description of Patterson he sounds like a similar running back to Devin Singletary. This is why the addition of Patterson only makes sense if the front office is ready to move on from Devin Singletary this offseason.
It will be worth watching over the next few months leading up to the NFL Draft how many running backs the team meets with and that could give a good indication of how much of a priority the position is this offseason.