1. Bleacher Report says this Bills player will breakout on the national scene in 2020
His rookie year was a success, racking up close to 1,000 total yards despite being sidelined for a few games with a hamstring injury. The impact he had on the Bills in his first season has landed him on several 'players to watch' lists for 2020. Bleacher Report believes Devin Singletary could breakout performer in his sophomore year in the NFL.
Among 29 NFL running backs with at least 150 carries in 2019, Devin Singletary of the Buffalo Bills ranked No. 1 with a yards-per-attempt average of 5.13.
The 2019 third-round pick looked strong all season, but his opportunities were limited by the presence of veteran workhorse Frank Gore. But Gore hasn't been re-signed, and it looks as though the Bills are ready to let Singletary loose in 2020.
General manager Brandon Beane said in year two, Singletary is capable of being a number one back if that is what's asked of him.
Beane did leave the door open for another back to join the fray, but there should be little doubt Singletary will see a lot more action after averaging at least 4.0 yards per attempt in all but two games in 2019. He also finished strong with 134 scrimmage yards on 19 touches in Buffalo's lone playoff tilt.
He was one of just six qualified backs to break a tackle every eight carries or fewer.
2. The Athletic likes this cornerback for Buffalo at No. 54
The Athletic's draft analyst Dane Brugler joined One Bills Live this week to dissect his seven-round mock draft including an explanation of who he has heading to Buffalo. With the 54th overall pick, Brugler has general manager Brandon Beane selecting corner Jeff Gladney out of TCU to pair up with Tre'Davious White.
"He's a bulldog of a corner and usually you don't use that adjective to describe a cornerback," Brugler said. "He is a junkyard dog with his ability to get physical, mix things up with receivers. He's not afraid to be a part of the run game and he was challenged in the Big 12 where we know they like to put the ball through the air. He did a really nice job, the last two years he combined for 30 passes defensed. In my experience that's one of the production stats that really transfers and translates from the college level to the pro level if you're able to get your hands on the football as a defensive back. Gladney is my third best corner and I think he would be a great value at that point."
In 2019, Gladney had 14 passes defensed, one interception, a half sack and 31 total tackles.
3. Is defense the biggest need in the draft for Buffalo?
On the Around the NFL podcast this week, Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler and Chris Wesseling went around the AFC to discuss each team's needs heading into the NFL Draft. Rosenthal likes where the Bills are at with their roster because of general manager Brandon Beane's ability to excel previous drafts. He says Buffalo's most immediate need would be depth at edge rusher.
"I'm going to have to rank Brandon Beane pretty high on these GM rankings coming out later this week," Rosenthal said. "I feel like this roster, he's three years into it and it's perfectly set up where he can go almost anywhere in this draft and I feel like they don't have a lot of needs. I feel like at defensive end they can't feel good about Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes [long term], as in they don't have a future pass rusher."
Regardless of who comes off the board at No. 54, Rosenthal thinks it's Buffalo's time to make a run in the playoffs.
"Man this is the year for the Bills to push and Bills Mafia has to expect it," Rosenthal said. "This is their year. They should have high hopes. This should be one where they think they can go far in the playoffs."
