Buffalo Bills have made some moves in free agency to address the loss of Andre Roberts, who signed with the Houst..."/> Buffalo Bills have made some moves in free agency to address the loss of Andre Roberts, who signed with the Houst..."/>
BuffaLowDown
Fansided

Buffalo Bills: Eli Stove reportedly met with team ahead of 2021 NFL Draft

By Brandon Croce

Dec 12, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Eli Stove (12) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2020; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Eli Stove (12) runs the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Buffalo Bills have made some moves in free agency to address the loss of Andre Roberts, who signed with the Houston Texans. They were able to bring back Isaiah McKenzie, who has experience returning kickoffs and punts, as well as signed Brandon Powell, who returned both kickoffs and punts for the Atlanta Falcons last year.

However, it would make sense if they were to target another player as well in the NFL Draft later this month. The more competition they are able to create the better chance they give themselves to replace a key part of this team the past two seasons.

One of those possible replacements could be Eli Stove, who played for the University of Auburn. According to Justin Melo of The Draft Network, the Buffalo Bills have been one of a few teams to speak with him.

It is interesting to read how Stove describes himself and what he could bring to an NFL team, which he did recently in an interview with Jimmy Williams at the Draft Diamonds.

"I hope to play on offense when I get into the pros. Yet, I realize that I’ll be on special teams to start out. I really like special teams. I’ve played on a lot of different units such as kickoffs, punt blocking, being the interior gunner, and I also have experience as a return specialist.I’ve been utilized all over the field on offense, playing in the slot, out wide or even as a running back. I can go deep or catch passes in the screen game. I’ve also taken the ball on jet sweeps."

As Stove mentions, he will likely have to make an impact on special teams if he hopes to make a team as a rookie and he certainly can. However, if the Buffalo Bills were to draft Stove, he might actually be considered a long-term answer to replace McKenzie.

The Buffalo Bills did re-sign McKenzie this offseason but it was only on a one-year deal. The way Eli Stove was used with the Tigers sounds similar to how Brian Daboll uses Isaiah McKenzie in this offense. In the five seasons at the University of Auburn, he had 136 receptions, 1,186 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns but also had 55 rushing attempts for 554 yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Next. Predicting the Bills depth prior to the 2021 NFL Draft. dark

When considering the fact the Buffalo Bills don’t have many glaring roster needs, the focus for this NFL Draft could center around finding players who can contribute more after this season. That is something that Eli Stove certainly could do if the Bills are not able to bring back McKenzie after this season.

Home/Bills Draft