1. NFL will observe Juneteenth as holiday
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Friday that the NFL will observe Juneteenth, celebrated on Friday, June 19 as a recognized holiday closing league offices. This comes after the NFL has pledged $250 million dollars over the next 10 years to fight systemic racism. Juneteenth, June 19, represents the anniversary of the day slavery ended in the United States in 1865.
The power of this historical feat in our country's blemished history is felt each year but there is no question that the magnitude of this event weighs even more heavily today in the current climate. Juneteenth not only marks the end of slavery in the United States, but it also symbolizes freedom—a freedom that was delayed, and brutally resisted; and though decades of progress followed, a freedom for which we must continue to fight.
This year, as we work together as a family and in our communities to combat the racial injustices that remain deeply rooted into the fabric of our society, the NFL will observe Juneteenth on Friday, June 19thas a recognized holiday and our league offices will be closed. It is a day to reflect on our past, but more importantly, consider how each one of us can continue to show up and band together to work toward a better future.
2. Who is Buffalo's key homegrown player?
Around the NFL Editor Gregg Rosenthal went through each AFC roster from last year to find one player on every team who can make a difference this year by taking a step forward in their on-field growth. For Buffalo, Rosenthal thinks tight end Dawson Knox can light it up this season. In his rookie year, Knox had 28 receptions for 388 yards. The TE averaged 13.9 yards per reception and scored two touchdowns.
With a name like a Varsity Blues character and a scandalous propensity for splash plays, Knox is built for Buffalo stardom. He should have had his breakout moment Week 16 in Foxborough, when he was this close to three scores, but an outrageous 33-yard grab was marked down at the 1-yard line, and Josh Allen missed Knox for two more potential scores. Knox easily beat Patriots safety Patrick Chung in both matchups last year, typical of a rookie season where Knox was open all the time. Overthrows by Allen and a few drops limited Knox's final stats (28-388-2), but he was often the biggest mismatch on the field. Allen just has to find him.
3. Could Zack Moss be amongst the most productive rookie RBs?
NFL Network’s analytics guru Cynthia Frelund calculated a list of her top seven rookie running backs who will have a productive first season in the NFL. Frelund's model was based on 'contextualized play-calling data' from every team and adding in each rookie's skill set. According to the list, Bills general manager got it right again drafting a rookie RB who can pop off in year one.
7) Zack Moss, Buffalo Bills
Drafted:Round 3, No. 86 overall _College:Utah_
With 88 forced missed tackles on rushes in 2019 (second-most in FBS, per PFF), Moss helps fortify the Bills' ground attack. The Utah back's production in 2018 and '19 show both consistency and upside, as well as pass-catching proficiency. Buffalo's strong O-line is also one with continuity from last season, which adds to the potential here and nets out in Moss being my No. 45 overall running back in PPR projections.
