With the 2021 NFL Draft set to take place Thursday, April 29, the Buffalo Bills look to add on to their record season with the 30th overall pick.
After falling to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2020 AFC Championship game, the Buffalo Bills entered the offseason looking to build upon their best performance since they last played for a Super Bowl appearance in 1994.
With their season behind them, the Buffalo Bills head into the 2021 NFL Draft, set to take place on Thursday, April 29, with the 30th overall pick. In a draft class loaded with talent across all positions, and a roster already worthy of an AFC Championship bid, Bills GM Brandon Beane and HC Sean McDermott can look to build upon their success in a multitude of ways.
Among all 32 NFL teams, Buffalo finished the 2020 season ranked second in total offense and 14th in total defense. While impressive enough to land them a division title and a deep playoff push, a deeper look at the number show plenty of room for improvement.
Most of the Bills’ success on offense came from the air. The team ranked third in passing, but a brutal 20th in rushing. The same can be said on the defensive side of the ball, as the team was 13th in passing defense, but 17th in rushing defense.
With improvements clearly to be made, but enough talent to go with the best player available; let’s take a look at how the Buffalo Bills can spend the 30th overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft.
Buffalo Bills Best Pick No. 1: RB Javonte Williams, North Carolina
While it appears that the “running back by committee” trend has grown in popularity across the NFL, it’s high-time the Buffalo Bills recognize it isn’t working for them.
The Buffalo Bills ranked an abysmal 20th in rushing offense amongst the league in the 2020 regular season. Injuries and lackluster play from featured backs Devin Singletary and Zack Moss hindered Buffalo from rounding out an already-lethal passing attack led by quarterback Josh Allen and newly acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
In a draft class stacked with talent at the running back position, the Buffalo Bills would find great value in UNC running back Javonte Williams, who has slowly worked his way into Day 1 and 2 discussions.
Standing at 5-10 and 220 pounds, Williams is a bruising back that matches physicality with quickness and elusiveness. His talents helped him amass over 2,200 yards and 27 touchdowns in his three years at North Carolina.
Not only is Williams an every-down power back, but a versatile one at that. In his time at Chapel Hill, Williams has shown he offers services in the passing game, with the ability to contribute in wheel routes and option routes in addition to being an all-around talented runner. A great comparison would be Cleveland running back Nick Chubb, who’s similar play style has catapulted the Browns’ run-game to the next level since being drafted in 2018.
With the addition of Williams, the Buffalo Bills can limit their need for the committee system that hasn’t quite panned out for them as of yet. If they find themselves staring at the former Tar Heel on Thursday night, they’d be wise to give him a call and submit the draft card.