RD 3, Pick 74: RB Devin Singletary, Florida Atlantic

[daz28]

He seems to want to lean into hits, yet still has that great cut.  He's mini shady and Gore.  Seems to aggressively meet the tackler.  

[Alphadawg7]

1 minute ago, BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P said:

Jesus man that's a ballsy joke hahaha. Not bad. Anyways what's your Intel? Is he good in the passing game? I really want a pass catching running back here.

 

Haha i know.  

 

I don’t know how well he will do at pass catching, they didn’t throw many balls to him.  But we can always pair him with a 3rd down receiving back if need be.  

 

But hes got exceptional vision and feet

[K-9]

Watching his highlights, that 4.66 snapshot in time at the combine is totally irrelevant. He’s shows top end football speed from the little I’ve seen. Reminds me of Jerry Rice in that regard; slow 40 but constantly running away from defenders. And you can’t argue his productivity. We can knock him for the level of competition, but he dominated that competition and that’s the measuring stick for players from lesser programs and conferences. 

[Captain_Quint]

I still think that we need a WR.

[klos63]

Just now, Cheektowaga Chad said:

True

I could also see a competition that breaks down to gore vs mccoy and yeldon vs singletary ( as a basis of course)

Even though Allen is the key player on the offense, we are still going to be a run first team. We need backs.  Do we keep 4? I don't know .

 

[Mister Defense]

35 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

Planning for life after Shady.

 

Um, yup..this fall..

[BillsFan692]

There is barely a difference between made up posted times like 4.46 and 4.61 certainly nothing your eyes can "see" on tape.

 

He is supposed to be fast and shifty we will see. We needed an RB we took one. Not every pick gonna be every ones favorite and cant grade them all in isolation

[Bing Bong]

10 minutes ago, Lurker said:

So does The Athletic:

 

GRADE: 3rd Round (#78 overall)

 

STRENGTHS: Terrific lateral agility that gives defenders nightmares…sets up moves with widescreen vision and slippery athleticism (led the FBS with 113 broken tackles in 2018, 25 more than any other player)…outstanding instincts to sense developing lanes and dart between open spaces…patient ball carrier and won’t force things…natural balance with the core strength to keep his feet…not overpowering, but runs low and doesn’t gear down at contact, finishing strong…impressive 191.3 fumble rate (four career fumbles)…nice job on angle routes and catches passes thrown at him…nose for the end zone, ranking sixth all time in FBS history with 66 rushing touchdowns (five players ahead of him all played four years)…above-average production with three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons, setting the school records for career rushing yards and all-purpose yards.

 

WEAKNESSES: Lacks an ideal build for the position with limited growth potential…average power as an inside runner…tends to fatigue over four quarters and workload will be a question mark with his size…lacks ideal long-speed for the position…wasn’t asked to stay home and pass protect in college…receiving production declined over his career.

 

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Singletary produced from the moment he stepped foot onto campus in Boca Raton, rewriting the Owls rushing records. His 54 rushing touchdowns the last two seasons was easily the best in college football over that span. Singletary runs with remarkable balance to elude in tight quarters, leading the FBS with 69.8 percent of his rushing yards in 2018 coming after initial contact. He is tougher than he looks, but his lack of body armor and questions about being a three-down player will be the main concerns for his next-level transition. Overall, Singletary is uniquely skilled at forcing missed tackles due to his lateral agility and ability to feel openings, projecting as a LeSean McCoy type of offensive weapon in the NFL.

Awesome, thanks for the info. 

 

I know I'm asking a lot but I was really hoping for a duel threat out of the passing game too. Says his receiving production declined, could be system changes, QB, etc. is he a decent pass catcher? Did he have solid receiving production of note before he declined?

[BobbyC81]

31 minutes ago, MAJBobby said:

Watch this talk pick up. 

 

Shady McCoy to Philly for Nelson Agoholor 

 

Shady to Texans in a package for Clowney. 

 

 

 

5th round pick to Minn for Kyle Rudolph?

[Alphadawg7]

11 minutes ago, DC Tom said:

 

Interesting.  He's got great balance, patience, and vision.  And he's a fast little mother.

 

But he looks small, and in most of those highlights he's getting great blocking.  There's little there to show off any power or strength he may or may not have.  Based solely on those...he looks like a third-down back.  He could be successful in the NFL, behind a line that blows defenses off the line - which makes the Ford pick interesting, as well.

 

Based on his build, though...doesn't look like an RB that's going to have a very long career.

 

Hes never missed a game and was ran hard by Kiffin

[1ManRaid]

1 minute ago, daz28 said:

He seems to want to lean into hits, yet still has that great cut.  He's mini shady and Gore.  Seems to aggressively meet the tackler.  

Seems to work, led the nation in broken tackles and yards after contact (and in TDs).

[Locomark]

Speed wins in this league. We added speed at WR in FA and last year in Foster but our speed at RB is not what is should be. Shady may rip off 20 yard runs that could be 50 yard runs. This is why teams commit to young running backs. I think they want a kid to learn from Shady and Gore and this kid will possibly be RB2. Gore may only be a short yardage and goal line back.  This may also signal the end of the FB in Buffalo. If we are going to be a spread offense then who needs a FB. Debating whether this is good choice in round 3 is worthless because they said they were going BPA and that’s what they did.

Edited April 27, 2019 by Locomark

[dubs]

13 minutes ago, Niagara Dude said:

Some of you guys must work for Bills PR dept,  every pick you love.  This draft will end up getting both Sean and Beane fired,  this RB ran about a 4.7,  ok to be small if you are the fastest guy on the field.  He will never be that in the NFL

 

Hahaha. Hot take of the year!!!

[BillsVet]

38 minutes ago, Logic said:

He's gonna learn from two of the best ever in McCoy and Gore.

I can't help but wonder if we got scooped by the Bears, who traded just in front of us and took Montgomery.

 

Can they teach him how to run faster?  Shady can teach him the jump cuts that wind up as 4 yard losses.

 

25 minutes ago, Nelius said:

I'm floored by the TE talk. Who exactly? We've got a 6'6" TE with NFL experience, who are the starting TE's left on the board right now?

 

Kroft has 67 career catches in 4 NFL seasons and missed most of last year.  He's essentially on a 1 year deal IIRC.  

 

15 minutes ago, BarkleyForGOATBackupPT5P said:

@Joe in Winslow it's a start bud. We desperately needed a rushing attack. This guy better be damned good in both rushing and catching out of the backfield.

 

Not sure about this one. But if he's got that pass catching skillset these kind of RBs do wonders to our passing attack.

 

Don't know anything about him. Can he catch?

 

Teams win in the NFL with passing the ball.  This guy isn't the typical 3rd down back who makes catches out of the backfield.  Perhaps he wasn't asked to, but spending a 3rd on a slow RB from a non power 5 conference who's around 200# I would expect he could do that.  

 

One gets the impression McD is building this team like it was 1980.  It's a bold strategy Cotton.  

Edited April 27, 2019 by BillsVet

[SDS]

7 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

I really want to like the guy, but I just don't think he has the speed for his style of running. Check out these highlights against OU. For his style of running, he won't be able to hit the outside runs, NFL LBrs are too fast. Sure he can make some fast cuts, but there is no top gear.

 

I sure as hell hope he proves me wrong. I highly doubt him being drafted means the end of Shady.

 

 

 

 

@DC Tom Take a look at this video against superior competition. I think you get glimpses here when he isn’t completely overwhelmed in the backfield

[njbuff]

He will be part of a rotation.

 

What's wrong with that?

 

This team still needs some youth back there at RB, right?

[Herc11]

3 minutes ago, BillsFan692 said:

There is barely a difference between made up posted times like 4.46 and 4.61 certainly nothing your eyes can "see" on tape.

 

He is supposed to be fast and shifty we will see. We needed an RB we took one. Not every pick gonna be every ones favorite and cant grade them all in isolation

 

When that 4.66 guy is being chased by that 4.46 guy you can certainly see it.

[Lurker]

Just now, dubs said:

 

Hahaha. Hot take of the year!!!

 

Oh My Lord....    Morlocks are on the loose.

[NoSaint]

Did he not run at his pro day?

[gonzo1105]

I wonder if Singletary was the guy Beane was referring to in his pre draft press conference.  

 

I dont remember his exact words but he specifically mentioned one guy who didn’t run the 40 very fast that he swore was faster on tape and that was more important. Also said something like they were comparing guys and how to stack em based on his evaluation. 

[Bing Bong]

3 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Haha i know.  

 

I don’t know how well he will do at pass catching, they didn’t throw many balls to him.  But we can always pair him with a 3rd down receiving back if need be.  

 

But hes got exceptional vision and feet

I think pass catching RBs really take a lot of pressure off the OL, QB, and WRs altogether. Makes an RB so much more valuable if he's at least not a dud in that area. Can replace the TE routes on 3rd and short passing plays as a safety blanket. And Josh Allen may work well on broken plays with a smart RB working the space for the dump throws.

[DC Tom]

6 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

I really want to like the guy, but I just don't think he has the speed for his style of running. Check out these highlights against OU. For his style of running, he won't be able to hit the outside runs, NFL LBrs are too fast. Sure he can make some fast cuts, but there is no top gear.

 

I sure as hell hope he proves me wrong. I highly doubt him being drafted means the end of Shady.

 

 

 

 

There's a lot to like, but this rather cements my view from earlier - I'm just not seeing the power to succeed in the NFL.  Good footwork, low CG, good balance, great lateral cut and first step.  But he doesn't look like someone who's going to turn nothing into three yards when the OL gets stood up at the line.

[SDS]

1 minute ago, Herc11 said:

 

When that 4.66 guy is being chased by that 4.46 guy you can certainly see it.

 

He ran a 4.66 on one specific day. You do not know the circumstances around that time. Maybe he is human and didn’t have a great day. 

[Lurker]

2 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

 

When that 4.66 guy is being chased by that 4.46 guy you can certainly see it.

 

...And then he makes a cut and the 4.46 guy falls on his face.

[daz28]

1 minute ago, Herc11 said:

 

When that 4.66 guy is being chased by that 4.46 guy you can certainly see it.

I agree, but I'm hoping they see his vision as what this team needs to excel.  If they don't block for him, he's a negative player/bust almost guaranteed.  

[Nelius]

1 minute ago, BillsVet said:

 

Kroft has 67 career catches in 4 NFL seasons and missed most of last year.  He's essentially on a 1 year deal IIRC. 

 

 

I'm not arguing that Kroft is a TE1, I'm arguing that there were no solid TE's left on the board. All projects and role players. Seems you forgot to include any remaining TE prospects that could contribute more than Singletary in your reply.

[NeverOutNick]

I was pretty ticked when I first saw this pick with my boy Chase Winovich still on the board and then to top it off the patriots took him a few picks later but after watching this film study I feel a lot better 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68QgsRlhQwI&t=307s

 

https://www.rotoworld.com/article/evaluations/nfl-draft-rb-deep-dive?page=1

Edited April 27, 2019 by NeverOutNick

[webtoe]

Marcus Murphy and Keith Ford were the #3 and #4 RB’s last year...I support every effort to improve that and nothing they’ve done so far has broken the bank. 

[junior]

For those attacking Beane for having 4 RBs on the roster: know who else had 3 and just drafted their 4th? 

 

The New England Patriots.

• Sony Michel
• Rex Burkhead
• James White
• Damien Harris

[Heitz]

4 minutes ago, dubs said:

Hahaha. Hot take of the year!!!

 

Not only fired, but BANNED FROM THE LEAGUE! ?

[daz28]

1 minute ago, NoSaint said:

Did he not run at his pro day?

Does it matter, you can see he doesn't have top end speed.

[DC Tom]

Just now, SDS said:

 

He ran a 4.66 on one specific day. You do not know the circumstances around that time. Maybe he is human and didn’t have a great day. 

 

The problem with judging players on metrics is that they're not absolute: they're moments in time, which may be at either end of the bell curve at that given time.  But people treat them as absolute...since they're measurables, and easy to compare risk-free.

[junior]

1 minute ago, daz28 said:

I agree, but I'm hoping they see his vision as what this team needs to excel.  If they don't block for him, he's a negative player/bust almost guaranteed.  

 

Well it's a good thing we acquired 7 new OL this offseason.

[Locomark]

13 minutes ago, Cheektowaga Chad said:

Daboll most recently coached at Alabama and new England, both teams utilize multiple rbs

If they dump Shady and Gore next year then what a great year of learning for Yeldon and the kid to learn from 2 of the best also. Gore has awesome pass blocking technique and that is a premium skill if you have a single back offense. I also think we have the cap space so why not groom a replacement now and next year you have one less gap to fill. BPA means competition. I like competition. This team will be better if it pushed harder from within. 

Edited April 27, 2019 by Locomark

[BillsFan4]

Really like this pick. Exciting player. He is so fun to watch!  Bills fans ar going to love watching this kid run. He’s a touchdown and highlight reel machine. 

 

I was hoping the Bills would draft a good young RB. We needed one, and you may as well take advantage of having 2 future hall of fame RBs to learn from while we still have them (assuming both stay). 

 

 

I love that the Bills are focused on building an offensive line and run game for Allen. He still has a ways to go as a passer. Building a good o line and run game will help his development (IMO). 

[Bing Bong]

3 minutes ago, BillsVet said:

Teams win in the NFL with passing the ball.  This guy isn't the typical 3rd down back who makes catches out of the backfield.  Perhaps he wasn't asked to, but spending a 3rd on a slow RB from a non power 5 conference who's around 200# I would expect he could do that.  

 

One gets the impression McD is building this team like it was 1980.  It's a bold strategy Cotton.  

Crap. A Thurman / Faulk style eliminates the need for a great TE and works wonders on broken plays. Don't terribly mind the speed. Just want JA to get his dynamic safety blanket.

[K-9]

2 minutes ago, SDS said:

 

He ran a 4.66 on one specific day. You do not know the circumstances around that time. Maybe he is human and didn’t have a great day. 

Yep, just a snapshot in time. 

[daz28]

Just now, DC Tom said:

 

The problem with judging players on metrics is that they're not absolute: they're moments in time, which may be at either end of the bell curve at that given time.  But people treat them as absolute...since they're measurables, and easy to compare risk-free.

Is that the way a judge says watch him, he's not fast

[DC Tom]

Just now, junior12thman92 said:

 

Well it's a good thing we acquired 7 new OL this offseason.

 

But they can't play all 7...

[jtrip]

Dont you see what we are doing- Last generation:    Kelly, Bruce Smith- Jim Richer/Kent Hall/Thurman Thomas and the next Andre Reed/Pet Metzelaars? 

 

This Dynasty:   Allen (last year) Oliver - Ford- Singletary  next WR and TE