1982 Topps football card of former NFL running back Pete Johnson, who played 8 seasons in the league, primarily for the Cincinnati Bengals. The bruising fullback was the Bengals’ leading rusher in all 7 seasons he played for them, and was a Pro Bowler and named All Pro in 1981. Johnson had issues with drugs at the end of his career, but today is retired and runs camps for autistic children throughout the country.
The 2020 NFL season is sure to be like no other, with the Coronavirus threat changing all the rules as far as having fans attend games and keeping the players and coaches safe. The teams will have 53 man rosters as in previous years, but practice squads have been increased to 16. As the Buffalo Bills work to finalize their roster, we’re ready to preview the upcoming season, which starts this week. Here’s our position-by-position evaluation:
The Bills recently locked up head coach Sean McDermott with a long term contract extension, and hopefully plan on doing the same for general manager Brandon Beane. Continuity is now a major plus for the team with McDermott returning for his fourth season, and coordinators Leslie Frazier, Brian Daboll and Heath Farwell also back. The team brought in a new position coach who they think will be an upgrade in Eric Washington, the new defensive line coach. Beane has done an excellent job replenishing the team’s talent in his tenure, and this year he went out of his way to add a huge weapon in the passing game for QB Josh Allen by pulling the trigger on a trade with Minnesota for a top-flight receiver in Stefon Diggs. Despite surrendering his first round draft choice in the trade, Beane was still able to pluck some players in the draft who appear poised to contribute to the club right away. There is one fly in the ointment for the coaches. There are expectations that the team is ready to take over the AFC East crown, but the fact still remains they are 0-6 against Bill Belichick’s Patriots in the McDermott era.
QB Josh Allen is the undisputed leader entering his 3rd year
Josh Allen, entering his third season, is the undisputed leader of the offense now, and although he still showed a few rough edges in 2019, he has steadily progressed to the point where the team is comfortable with him as their “franchise” quarterback. He should continue to improve under the guidance of offensive coordinator Daboll and QB coach Ken Dorsey. Veteran Matt Barkley returns as the main backup, although Beane hedged his bets here somewhat by drafting Jake Fromm to compete for the position. The Bills, mostly because of Covid concerns, will carry 3 signal callers on the roster this year.
T.J. Yeldon is a multi-skilled RB who needs to find playing time
The Bills will carry 4 running backs on the roster this season and for the first time ever that RB room will not include a fullback. Two young bucks – Devin Singletary and rookie Zach Moss – figure to carry the bulk of the load. Singletary showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie campaign last season and looks to build on that this year. Moss is a pounder who should be the team’s short yardage option, while also possessing decent receiving skills. T.J. Yeldon rarely saw the field last season but with Frank Gore gone he could play more often in 2020. The fourth back, Taiwan Jones, is strictly a special teamer but an important one as one of the gunners on kick coverage units.
Newly-acquired WR Stefon Diggs (Liz Flores photo)
The shiny new toy in the Bills’ offensive arsenal is wideout Stefon Diggs, a top veteran obtained from the Vikings in the off-season. He joins John Brown and Cole Beasley, both brought in last season as free agents, as the team’s top 3 receiving options for Josh Allen. Rookie Gabriel Davis appears to have earned the fourth spot with an impressive showing in the shortened training camp. Isiah McKenzie is back as another reserve option. He was utilized extensively in gadget and “jet sweep” plays last year so OC Bran Daboll retains that weapon in his deck of cards for 2020. Andre Roberts made the team mostly as the team’s primary punt and kickoff returner, but can also be a reliable player when needed at the receiver position. Tight end is obviously a high priority position in Daboll’s offense, as the Bills kept 4 of them on the active roster. The starter is Dawson Knox, a possible emerging star if he can improve his ability to hang on to the ball. Tyler Kroft is the main backup, while veteran Lee Smith, a sometimes penalty liability, returns to provide blocking for the run game and leadership in the locker room. The fourth TE is a bit of a Swiss Army knife – rookie undrafted free agent Reggie Gilliam. Being that he played both fullback and tight end in college, he looks to be more of an “H-back” type of player who can fill multiple roles, including on special teams. At some point during the season the Bills will have to make a decision on another 2019 draft pick, Tommy Sweeney, who starts the year on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
Tackle Dion Dawkins enters 2020 armed with a new contract
Buffalo’s offensive line stays mostly intact from 2019, except for the temporary loss of starting right guard Jon Feliciano. Anchoring the unit is center Mitch Morse, the big-ticket free agent signee from 2019. The left side, with underrated Quinton Spain at guard and newly re-signed Dion Dawkins at tackle, returns intact. The right side is still not completely set, but second year man Cody Ford will certainly start, either at guard or the spot he manned last season, tackle. If Ford moves inside, veteran Ty Nsekhe will likely be at tackle. Due to the possibility of Covid infections being high among linemen since they are engaged in close proximity battles on every play, the NFL recommended that teams stack their rosters with extra players at those positions. The Bills kept 10 O-linemen on their initial 53 man roster before temporarily placing Feliciano on IR. Among the reserves, Darryl Williams and Ryan Bates can play multiple positions. Brian Winters and Ike Boettger have mainly manned the guard spots. Also, there are 4 extra offensive linemen on the practice squad ready for action under the new league rules allowing more liberal activation from there to the regular roster each week.
Ed Oliver, 2019 top draftee, starts at one DT spot
The Bills allowed a couple of their top 2019 contributors along the defensive front, Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips, to leave via free agency, and starting tackle Star Lotulelei opted out of the season. Still, GM Beane managed to replenish the troops along the line in the off-season. Three of the four starters on the line are set – top prospect Ed Oliver at one tackle spot and veterans Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy at end. Among the candidates to fill Lotulelei’s position are Harrison Phillips, returning from a season-ending injury, and newcomers Vernon Butler and Quinton Jefferson, both free agent signees. Jefferson provides position flexibility that the Bills’ coaches desire since he can play both inside and outside. Another new free agent, Mario Addison, figures to fill the pass rush specialist role that Lawson played in recent years, while the remaining backups, who will certainly see plenty of action in the team’s D-line rotation, are a pair of prospects teeming with potential – Darryl Johnson and rookie A.J. Epenesa. Again, the Bills covered their bases depth-wise by keeping 3 extra front line defenders on the practice squad.
Young LB Tremaine Edmunds (Konezny USA Today photo)
The retirement of Lorenzo Alexander leaves a hole in the Bills’ linebacking corps since he was a heady, versatile leader on the defense. However, young middle backer Tremaine Edmunds has taken over the defensive signal calling role and has steadily improved so far each year. He is a budding star. Matt Milano, who arguably is another rising stud on the Bills’ D-unit, mans one of the outside slots. To replace Alexander, Buffalo signed veteran A.J. Klein, who will see the field only when the team isn’t in their nickel formation, which is a majority of the time in the modern NFL. The Bills changed up the depth spots at linebacker as all 3 backups are new. Tyler Matakevich was signed away from Pittsburgh, mostly for his special teams ability. Tyrel Dodson, a PS member for most of 2019, made the final roster this year. The biggest surprise to make the active 53-man list has to be the other reserve LB, Del’Shawn Phillips. Also, Andre Smith, acquired in a training camp trade from Carolina, is available on the practice squad.
NFL’s top paid CB Tre White (Adrian Kraus AP photo)
The shining star in Buffalo’s talented secondary is All Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White, who recently signed an extension that makes him the highest paid CB in the NFL. He’s earned that distinction with stellar play so far in his career. At the other corner spot, a grizzled vet, Josh Norman, was brought in to compete with Levi Wallace to start, but injuries in camp kept him from doing that to a degree. It’s uncertain how the Bills will line up at that position on opening day. The Bills are secure on the back end of the secondary with a pair of highly underrated safeties in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer. Backing them up are steady Dean Marlowe and an up-and-coming 2019 rookie, Jaquan Johnson. The important slot or nickel cornerback spot, which is almost a starting position these days, is manned by Taron Johnson. He has excelled at the job since he’s been in Buffalo but has had injury concerns. Maybe the most important member of the secondary is Siran Neal. He can play both safety spots and also the nickel corner, in addition to being a gunner, and one of the main players, on special teams. There are also a number of reinforcements ready on the practice squad should the injury bug bite this position.
Rookie placekicker Tyler Bass
The Bills invested heavily on improving their bomb squads for the upcoming season, re-signing Taiwan Jones to be a gunner on kick return coverage to go with their other gunner, Siran Neal. Tyler Matakevich was signed after being a ST star in Pittsburgh. Also, undrafted rookie Reggie Gilliam perfected the art of blocking kicks (he got 6 of them in his college career at Toledo). The Bills haven’t had a threat to do that since Steve Tasker. Andre Roberts, signed last year to put a charge into the team’s return game, is back to fill that role. Two thirds of the Bills’ kicking game return in long snapper Reid Ferguson and punter Corey Bojorquez. Bojorquez beat out a couple of rivals to retain his job so the Bills must trust him. Buffalo is rolling the dice a bit in going with a rookie kicker, 6th round draft pick Tyler Bass, over veteran Stephen Hauschka. Hausch Money’s consistency and leg strength had diminished in the last couple of years, but it’s still a gamble.
Here’s your annual song to get psyched up for the upcoming season, the Bills’ Shout song:
There have been many fan suggestions for renaming the Washington NFL franchise, and one of the most popular is the Washington Red Tails, who were an African American fighter pilot group in World War II that got little to no recognition after the war. This is a rendition of a logo that could be used should the team adopt that name. The original Red Tails were Tuskegee Airmen who comprised the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps whose mission was primarily as bomber escorts. Their exploits were featured in the movie Red Tails, starring Cuba Cooding Jr. and Terrence Howard.
2002 Bowman football card of former NFL running back Travis Henry, who played 7 seasons in the league for 3 teams. He was a Pro Bowler while with Buffalo in 2002, and spent a total of 4 years with the Bills. Henry is reported to have fathered 11 children by 10 different women, and unfortunately in 2009 was sentenced to 3 years in federal prison for financing a cocaine trafficking operation.
We’re a little late to the party this year in posting our evaluations of the Buffalo Bills’ choices in this year’s college draft, but with the season fast approaching and our season preview post due soon, it’s better late than never! The Bills used their first round pick as part of a trade with Minnesota for a proven veteran wide receiver, Stefon Diggs. Here’s an analysis of their remaining choices:
(James Coller photo)
Round 2 – A.J. Epenesa (DE, Iowa) – a quick, strong pass rusher to add to the team’s defensive line rotation. Known for a strong work ethic, he should fit in well with the Bills’ “process”.
Round 3 – Zach Moss (RB, Utah) – the Bills elected not to resign Frank Gore, so there is an obvious opening for another back on the roster. Moss is a tough inside runner who should excel in short yardage situations, and also possesses good pass receiving skills.
Round 4 – Gabriel Davis (WR, Central Florida) – the first of 2 big receivers the Bills went after in the draft. Davis had impressive stats in his junior year at UCF before declaring for the draft – 72 receptions for 1,241 yards and 12 touchdowns.
(Tammy Baker photo)
Round 5 – Jake Fromm (QB, Georgia) – Jake “Fromm State Farm” became a controversial pick after some questionable texts by him were revealed, but his football ability makes him a solid possibility to win the team’s backup quarterback job behind Josh Allen.
Round 6A – Tyler Bass (K, Georgia Southern) – the first of a pair of sixth round choices turned out to be a serious competitor for incumbent kicker Stephen Hauschka. Bass has an extremely strong leg to compete with Hauschka, who seems to have lost some long range ability with age. Having kicked in a small conference in the south, Bass will have to show he can handle booting in the Buffalo weather.
Round 6B – Isiah Hodgins (WR, Oregon State) – here’s the other big-bodied wideout GM Brandon Beane chose. At 6’4 and 209 pounds, he is an imposing red zone target with a great pair of hands, and will be solidly in the mix for a roster spot among a talented group of receivers the team has.
Round 7 – Dane Jackson (CB, Pittsburgh) – seventh round draft picks are always long shots to stick with an NFL team, but the Bills value depth in their defensive secondary so he has a chance. He played 4 years at Pitt so he is experienced, and was second team All-ACC in his senior year.
The Bills, as always, signed some intriguing undrafted free agents after the selection process was over, including Reggie Gilliam, a fullback from Toledo who comes into camp with a reputation for being a special teams standout, specializing in blocking kicks. Trey Adams, a massive 6’8 311 pound tackle from Washington, was considered a top prospect before injuries hampered him but if he stays healthy he can win a roster spot. Brandon Walton, a big tackle from Florida Atlantic, blocked for Bills’ back Devin Singletary in college. Ike Brown is a cornerback from Florida International who will be one of a large group of young CBs trying to stick with the team. The COVID-19 virus and the NFL’s decision to expand rosters and practice squads to account for possible positive tests during the season certainly gives a lot of these players a great opportunity to continue their careers. However, the shortened training camp and lack of preseason games definitely cuts down on their chances to show their worthiness.
It’s pretty generic, not very much of a classic and most likely temporary, but this is the logo of the NFL team formerly known as the Washington Redskins. The team, under pressure, retired the racist nickname recently. Until they decide on a permanent name for the franchise, they will go into the 2020 season as simply the “Washington Football Team”. Owner Dan Snyder did make a positive move this week, hiring Jason Wright as the first Black NFL team president in league history.
1999 Topps football card of former NFL wide receiver Peerless Price, who played 9 seasons in the league for 4 different franchises. He had 2 separate stints in Buffalo, where he had his most success as the Bills’ second option behind Eric Moulds. His career stats included 403 receptions for over 5,000 yards and 31 receiving touchdowns, so he had a decent career. Moulds recently returned to the University of Tennessee to earn his degree.
We are now less than a week away from the NFL’s 2020 college draft. The first round mock draft by our Rayonsports correspondents is in the books, and now the four of us will try our hand at identifying the 7 players that our local team, the Buffalo Bills, will select this week. Here are our picks along with scouting reports and some rationale as to why the choices make sense:
Connor Pohlman – D’Andre Swift, RB (Georgia) – Recently Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller noted that the Bills will look to add more offensive playmakers in this year’s draft. With the addition of stud WR Stefon Diggs this offseason, the Bills’ offense looks to take that step and the addition of Swift will help them get there.
Josh Pohlman – Jonathan Taylor, RB (Wisconsin) – Taylor would be the perfect 1-2 complement to Devin Singletary and would be the best player available at pick 54. 2019 Bills’ RB Frank Gore became a free agent in the offseason.
Scott Prelewicz – Trevon Diggs, CB (Alabama) – cornerback depth is added by picking up the brother of recent trade acquisition – wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Ray Prelewicz – Curtis Weaver EDGE (Boise State) – GM Brandon Beane has put his team in position to pick the best player available and Weaver fits that description as well as filling a future position of need, with Jerry Hughes, Trent Murphy and newly-signed Mario Addison all getting up in age.
Connor Pohlman – Chase Claypool, WR (Notre Dame) – Beane continues to add offensive playmakers here and clocking in at 6’4 and 238 lbs. Claypool would be the primary big body target in a WR room filled with “smurfs”, as coach Sean McDermott said last year.
Josh Pohlman – Chase Claypool, WR (Notre Dame) – the final offensive piece for the Bills, a big-bodied receiver who can make contested catches. It would be a stretch if he’s still available at pick # 86 but would also be the best player available.
Scott Prelewicz – Matthew Peart, OT (UConn) – Jamaican-born prospect with long arms and great athletic ability who may need development but his ceiling is high.
Ray Prelewicz – Bryan Edwards, WR (South Carolina) – Edwards is a physical, possession type receiver who projects as a slot receiver, making him the eventual heir apparent to Cole Beasley as well as an immediate contributor as he learns the ropes of being an NFL player.
Connor Pohlman – Kenny Willekes, EDGE (Michigan State) – the Bills added DE Mario Addison this offseason, who has been extremely consistent in his time with the Panthers, racking up at least 9 sacks every year since 2016. Adding Willekes here is a good value pick and will help the Bills get younger on the edge, eventually replacing Trent Murphy and Jerry Hughes.
Josh Pohlman – Alton Robinson, EDGE (Syracuse) – a dominant pass rusher who would be a nice replacement for UFA Shaq Lawson. He has a career total of 19.5 sacks for 102 yards lost in the ACC.
Scott Prelewicz – Darrynton Evans, RB (Appalachian State) – small school back who would be expected to complement Devin Singletary. He’s an explosive, shifty runner who is good in pass protection, a bonus for a rookie back.
Ray Prelewicz – A.J. Dillon, RB (Boston College) – Bills need a big, physical short yardage back to complement Devin Singletary and Dillon would provide an immediate plug-and-play option there. He is a 6’1 249 lb. bruiser who also displays some unexpected shiftiness in the open field.
Connor Pohlman – Tanner Muse, S (Clemson) – Jordan Poyer was just recently extended for 2 more years on his current contract, but adding Muse will add depth and youth to the position. While he won’t start at safety right away, McDermott and DC Leslie Frazier like to rotate their young DBs similar to Taron Johnson and Siran Neal in their rookie seasons. Muse could compete for the chance to start on special teams. The Bills were also heavily involved in Clemson’s pro day.
Josh Pohlman – Shaquille Quarterman, LB (Miami) – Quarterman is a potential replacement for retired linebacker Lorenzo Alexander. Also, Matt Milano hits free agency in 2021, barring an extension.
Scott Prelewicz – Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR (Liberty) – a big (6’4 223 lb.) red zone target for Josh Allen. He has a big catch radius and showed tremendous improvement with his hands in his senior year.
Ray Prelewicz – Markus Bailey, LB (Purdue) – a tough, blue collar defender who has the tenacity to carve out a role for himself in the NFL. He would have to earn a spot on special teams while learning the nuances of the position, but with the Bills’ lack of depth at LB would have a chance.
Connor Pohlman – Javaris Davis, CB (Auburn) – Davis brings youth and depth to a position the Bills have done a good job of improving this offseason with the additions of Josh Norman and E.J. Gaines. Davis could find himself rotating at nickel corner with Taron Johnson.
Josh Pohlman – Terence Steele, OT (Texas Tech) – there are still some questions along the offensive line. Dion Dawkins will be a free agent in 2021 barring an extension and Ty Nsekhe will be 35 years old in October.
Scott Prelewicz – Raequan Williams, DL (Michigan State) – a good hand fighter in the defensive line who would have to work hard to make the Bills’ roster. His versatility to be able to play any position along the line would help him.
Ray Prelewicz – Carter Coughlin, EDGE (Minnesota) – a consistent playmaker for the Gophers in his college career, Coughlin totaled 22.5 sacks and 8 forced fumbles. Some scouts question his height and strength but he is a high-motor guy and a good value pick at this point.
Connor Pohlman – Francis Bernard, LB (Utah) – with the loss of veteran LB Lorenzo Alexander this offseason, the Bills lost a pivotal part of that #3 ranked defense. Newest signing A.J. Klein should become a starter at OLB, but the addition of Bernard will add good depth, coming from a Utah defense that played a major role in landing them in the AP Top 10 this past season.
Josh Pohlman – Reggie Robinson II, CB (Tulsa) – cornerback depth is always needed and with Josh Norman only on a one year deal there is room to make the roster. Levi Wallace and Tre’Davious White are potential free agents also barring extensions for them.
Scott Prelewicz – K.J. Osborn, WR (Miami) – he transferred from MAAC school University at Buffalo to Miami for his senior season and the jump wasn’t too big for him as he led the Hurricanes in receiving and contributed as a punt returner and on special teams, which gives him an edge in his attempt to stick in the NFL.
Ray Prelewicz – Jake Hanson, C (Oregon) – some scouts don’t think he’s strong enough to thrive in the NFL but his college coaches rave about him, especially his nasty temperament. He will probably have to show some versatility at other line positions to make the Bills’ roster if they pick him.
Connor Pohlman – Austin Mack, WR (Ohio State) – the last pick of the Bills’ draft brings in a WR from a good college football program who made some big plays in the 2020 CFB Playoff.
Josh Pohlman – Rodrigo Blankenship, K (Georgia) – Bills’ kicker Stephen Hauschka will turn 35 years old in June. Last season he signed an extension and won’t be a free agent until 2022. Hauschka had a rocky start to the 2019 season, going 8-13 on field goals through the first 9 games. One game included an 0-2 performance (with a missed extra point also) that resulted in a 19-16 loss to Cleveland. It became clear that the Bills were exploring other options when they put in a waiver claim for Chase McLaughlin later in the season.
Scott Prelewicz – Trevon Hill, EDGE (Miami) – another Hurricane is picked. Hill enrolled at Miami after being dismissed from the team at Virginia Tech. He doesn’t have ideal size for an edge rusher but his play sometimes defied his lack of the prototypical body type.
Ray Prelewicz – Reggie Robinson II, CB (Tulsa) – big corner with good ball skills and a willing and able tackler in the run game. A versatile player who has also played safety.
Logo of a small college football team that plays in the Division II South Atlantic Conference, the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears. The school’s football program began play in 1907 and they’ve garnered 22 conference titles and an NAIA national championship in 1960. Despite it’s small school status, the Bears have sent 3 players – Craig Keith, John Milem and Terence Steward, to the pros, along with a long-time NFL assistant coach, Perry Fewell. The Bears produced another draftable pro prospect this season in safety Kyle Dugger.
2012 Topps Triple Thread football card of former pro football running back Fred Jackson, who played 9 seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and retired as the team’s third all-time leading rusher. He was undrafted out of Coe College and played in an arena league and NFL Europe before Bills’ GM Marv Levy, a Coe alumnus, gave him a shot at making the team’s roster. He made the most of that opportunity and carved out a nice career, even becoming a fan favorite in Buffalo. He finished his career in Seattle before retiring after the 2015 season.