Buffalo Bills: Grading each pick from the 2020 NFL Draft
![Defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa of Iowa. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) Defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa of Iowa. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/afdd65ae2da8edf1b9229152940caa11f02706929c57bba436779557d1a4a202.jpg)
Late Round Picks
While it’s easy for teams to hit on picks in the first three rounds of the draft where the elite contending clubs leave their mark is in the later rounds.
Whether it’s hitting on a player that becomes an impactful starter or makes the play that wins a crucial game, a lot more attention has been placed on these picks.
After making some investments on the offensive side of the ball, the team decided to spread the rest of their picks on all three phases.
Tyler Bass
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This was a bit of a head-scratcher for a couple of reason not because he was picked in the sixth round but because the team doesn’t really need a kicker right now.
Stephen Hauschka hasn’t been a great kick the past couple of years but they obviously want to create some competition because there is no way they will have two kickers on the roster when the season opens.
The team probably could’ve waited before they had to consider drafting or signing a kicker especially when the team could have addressed their offense earlier or added another defensive player.
This isn’t a slight on Bass who was a great kickoff specialist for Georgia Southern but he went 8-of-14 from 40 yards and more last season. In a stadium like New Era Field where the elements make life tough to kick field goals, the Bills need a dependable option.
Grade: C-
Isaiah Hodgins
Like Davis, Hodgins brings another big body to the Bills’ offense that isn’t afraid to go up against opposing defenders.
He can provide the Bills with a receiver they can line up outside or move him inside as he great body control in traffic to make catches in the middle of the field. He might not bring the speed Buffalo would want from a player they might want to use as a downfield threat but that won’t matter if he can gain separation.
Considering his strength is the way he can track the ball in traffic and proved last season that he can be a dependable touchdown threat making 13 touchdown catches with Oregon State. He certainly brings some strong value as a sixth-round pick.
Grade: A-
Dane Jackson
With the final pick in the draft, the Bills added some depth in the secondary and will like what Jackson brings to the table.
He is an aggressive cornerback that tries his best to engage with the receiver whether it’s through the air or just making sure he sticks with them closely through the hips. Of course, he will find out that being overly aggressive will make him vulnerable to giving up big plays.
He isn’t the quickest cornerback either so if he does bite on the first move, he will struggle to get closing speed. McDermott might line him up on the inside as a slot corner considering he will probably look to be a disruptor against an opposing slot receiver.
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Which player from the Bills’ draft are you looking forward to watching? Do you think they missed out on any potential players? Let us know in the comments below.