The Buffalo Bills are entering the 2021 NFL Draft with flexibility on their side. They don’t need to select a franchise quarterback or organizational cornerstone. The core of their Super Bowl-contending roster is already together.
But that doesn’t mean the draft isn’t important.
On April 29, general manager Brandon Beane has another prime opportunity to add a high-impact playmaker to his 13-win team from 2020. He could find the missing ingredient.
With the 30th overall pick, Buffalo is picking from its highest spot ever. The Bills have an elite roster right now, and as a result, don’t need rookies to be focal points on offense or defense. But they do have room for a playmaker. We’ve seen other Super Bowl teams over the years grab important pieces at the end of the first round.
Look no further than the New England Patriots, who selected Rob Gronkowski, Logan Mankins, Dont’a Hightower, Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung at the tail end of the first round (No. 25 or higher) and early second rounds during their extended championship run. Many of those players helped engineer the second wave of the dynasty, in which New England captured three Super Bowls (not that we need to be reminded of that).
Just last year, the Kansas City Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire at No. 32 overall, and he wound up rushing for 803 yards in 13 games. While Kansas City boasts a star-studded offensive attack, they were thin at running back entering 2020.
Sound familiar?
Running back is the weakest position on Buffalo’s offense, with Zack Moss and Devin Singletary qualifying as second-tier runners. The Bills finished 20th in rushing yards per-game last season, and Josh Allen was, unquestionably, their most dangerous threat on the ground.
In the modern pass-happy NFL, strong running games are not required for Super Bowl contention. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, were 28th in rushing last year.
But bringing in a dynamic weapon, who could work with Singletary and Moss as part of a rotation, would put this offense at another level.
Alabama running back Najee Harris and Clemson running back Travis Etienne are some interesting names to watch. At the least, they’re used to lining up beside great quarterbacks.
On the defensive side, the Bills could draft a cornerback to start alongside Tre’Davious White, or pass-rusher to give Jerry Hughes some younger legs behind him. Cornerbacks Asante Samuel Jr. (Florida State) and Greg Newsome (Northwestern) could compete for starting roles. Levi Wallace gives the Bills a more veteran presence to fall back on.
As far as edge rushers are concerned, there’s a strong chance some of the top guys could fall to Buffalo at No. 30, since none of them are viewed as consensus top-15 selections.
That’s quite a change from recent years. Since 2013, at least one pass rusher has been drafted in the top-five.
With spread offenses ruling the NFL, pass rushers are more important than ever. It will be exciting if Azeez Ojulari (Georgia) or Kwity Paye (Michigan) is still on the board when Beane gets ready to make his choice.
Unlike previous years, the Bills don’t have to draft for need. Finally, they can free themselves of those restrictions, and go with the best player available.
Impact is more vital than position. What an enviable spot to be in.