1. Why the Bills and this draft pick make a perfect pair
After the 2020 NFL Draft, NFL Network's Bucky Brooks compiled a list of his top 10 fits based on the player and scheme. Brooks gave the nod to Buffalo's newest edge rusher A.J. Epenesa because he believes Epenesa is in a system where he can flourish.
A.J. Epenesa, Edge, Buffalo Bills
Drafted No. 54 overall (Round 2)
The Bills' return to prominence has been fueled by a blue-collar roster that's loaded with talented worker bees -- and Epenesa should become one with the hive in no time. The 6-5, 275-pounder is a productive power rusher with strong hands and underrated movement skills. He finished his three-year career at Iowa with 26.5 sacks, including 22 over the past seasons, while displaying a variety of moves and counters that could enable him to reach double-digit sacks annually as a pro. That past production and future potential were why I had him as the No. 2 edge player in his class. With his ability to rush from the inside as a three-technique on passing downs, the Bills have added a versatile high-motor defender to a frontline that wears down opponents with relentless energy and persistence.
2. Gabriel Davis' college coach labels WR as the ultimate competitor
UCF head coach Josh Heupel joined WGR this week to talk about one of Buffalo's newest wide receivers Gabriel Davis. Heupel said Davis continuously set an example for his teammates with his work ethic at UCF.
"Gabe is the ultimate competitor and I think that's the overriding force of who he is and what he is every single day," Heupel said. "From the time that I arrived, he has continually gotten better in every way, every single day. He's truly the first guy in the building and he will be the last guy our every day. He has a real purpose and real focus on what he wants to accomplish. There's video of him after he gets drafted running routes, that's not for show — that's who he is. I know he's really excited for this next opportunity and looking forward to growing as a player."
Heupel spent two years as Davis' head coach. In those two seasons Davis improved his technique, focusing on his body first.
"I think from when we first got here he did a great job of changing his body," Heupel explained. "Just his makeup, getting stronger. He has gotten leaner, I think that's allowed him to play his best on game day. It allowed him to play our style of football in a no-huddle system being able to stay on the field for every single snap. He got better at the line of scrimmage being able to beat man, press techniques."
3. Why Josh Allen is better off entering year three according to NFL.com
With the NFL Draft in the books, NFL’s Gregg Rosenthal wrote about his post-draft thoughts for all 32 teams. Rosenthal thinks a new offensive weapon could be the reason why Josh Allen sees more success in year three.
Buffalo Bills: Running back Devin Singletary was a home-run third-round pick a year ago by the Bills. They may have hit another with Singletary's new tag-team partner, Zack Moss. As great as Singletary looked in 2019, Buffalo's offense is better off with him sharing his workload. Moss is a slasher, a tough runner who finishes off defenders and can beat them to the edge. Josh Allen suddenly has one of the better supporting casts in the AFC.
Moss will surely play a part in helping Buffalo score more points in 2020. But it's not just the new running back who gives Allen another option—the Bills added wide recievers Gabriel Davis who is 6-2 and Isaiah Hodgins who is 6-4. This added talent and height to the wide receiver corps will provide Allen and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll the ability to add new wrinkles to the offense.
