Buffalo Bills NFL Draft 2021: 5 late-round sleepers to target

4. Jaret Patterson, Running Back, Buffalo

Jaret Patterson has been one of the most productive running backs in college football history on a per-game basis over the past couple of seasons at Buffalo. Despite playing just six games in 2020, Patterson amassed a whopping 19 touchdowns and over 1,000 rushing yards.

Patterson was just as productive in 2019, totaling just under 1,800 yards and 19 more rushing touchdowns. Patterson feasted on the MAC defenses he faced, but he has legitimate traits that will translate to the next level.

Possessing really everything you look for in a workhorse running back, Patterson has great vision, burst, contact balance, power, elusiveness, and solid finishing speed. He’s not a complete burner and doesn’t bring much to the table in the passing game (no receptions in six games in 2020 but 13 for 209 yards and a touchdown in 2019), but as a runner, he will not be denied.

The Buffalo to Buffalo connection makes this match even more interesting. As Dan said in this article after last year’s draft, the Buffalo Bills have been steadily building a very solid running back stable. With Devin Singletary as a more elusive, receiving back, and Zack Moss as more of the power back, the Bills committee is very strong.

However, when Moss missed some time down the stretch last season, the Bills running game took a big step back. It struggled to the point where many people think they should take a running back in the first round. I think after placing an emphasis on other positions early, bringing in a reliable back late in the 2021 NFL Draft like Patterson could add some valuable depth for Buffalo’s run game.