Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Draft preview: 3 ideal first round targets

Buffalo Bills add a weapon to the offence by picking Travis Etienne in NFL Draft

Adding a playmaker may not seem like the biggest area of need for the Bills, but Etienne is a game changer. Buffalo ranked 20th in rush yards last season and were fairly unimpressed by the duo of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.

Enter Etienne whose speed can change field position and scores in the blink of an eye. The former Clemson Tiger put up an absurd 78 touchdowns in four seasons under Dabo Swinney.

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The 22-year-old had 914 yards and 14 scores in 2020, to go along with 48 receptions. His ability in the screen game will keep linebackers and safeties trained on him, opening up more room downfield for Stefon Diggs and company.

Singletary and Moss would still figure in to the rotation as Etienne lacks the size to be a true workhorse in the NFL. At 5’10” and 205 pounds he will not remind anyone of Derrick Henry, but it is his breakaway speed that has scouts salivating.

Danny Kelly’s scouting report paints the picture of an athletic freak:

"Etienne is an explosive playmaker with extraordinary juice. He runs with sensational balance, deflecting contact and spinning away from would-be tacklers, and has nitrous oxide boosters in his feet―when he hits the gas, he gets to top speed almost instantly. The Clemson star is not a battering ram, but he can run inside when asked to. When he sees a sliver of green, he exploits it, sticking his foot in the ground to fly through the gap. Etienne destroys pursuit angles with pure speed and uses an effective hesitation move to lull defenders to sleep before blowing right past them. He’s dangerous in the screen game, showing the patience to let his blocks set up in front of him before accelerating into space. Whether he’s taking a handoff or catching a pass, he has breakaway, home run potential every time he touches the ball."

Well then. Adding a versatile back in Etienne during the NFL Draft is another way to keep up with the Chiefs of the world. Match them score for score and hope you can make the odd stop.

Other possible playmakers for the Bills in the NFL Draft: Najee Harris (Alabama), Javonte Williams (North Carolina), Elija Moore (Ole Miss), Terrace Marshall Jr. (LSU)

Who do you think the Bills should take in the NFL Draft? What position is the greatest area of need for the team? Let us know in the comments below.