From South Florida to the Canadian border.
The Buffalo Bills continued their pattern of gathering gamers from Florida’s southern tri-county space with their first two picks of the 2022 NFL draft.
Selected first with the twenty third choice was Benjamin and Florida cornerback Kaiir Elam, and with their subsequent choose, at 63, the Bills snapped up Georgia operating again James Cook, who attended Miami Central.
Take a take a look at Buffalo’s burgeoning assortment of gamers with native roots toiling professionally in upstate New York, a stone’s throw from Niagara Falls.
James Cook, Miami Central, operating again
Cook, the youthful brother of Minnesota Vikings star operating again Dalvin Cook, gained 1,012 yards and scored 11 touchdowns as Georgia went on to win the nationwide championship final season.
Kaiir Elam, Benjamin, cornerback
The 20-year-old Elam enters his rookie season trying to make an “immediate impact” after the Bills moved forward of the Dallas Cowboys within the first spherical of the draft to land him. He is contemporary off a three-year stick with the University of Florida, the place he compiled six interceptions, 79 whole tackles, 26 passes defended, and one fumble restoration in 35 video games.
Bobby Hart, St. Thomas Aquinas, sort out
A seven-year professional drafted within the seventh spherical in 2015, Hart is coming off a turbulent 2021 with the Bills and different groups. The 27-year-old lineman was signed by Buffalo in March 2021, however was axed throughout ultimate cuts earlier than becoming a member of the Miami Dolphins’ apply squad for a short-lived stint. He returned to the Bills on two extra events by way of the apply squad, along with signing with that of the Tennessee Titans, and was let go every time earlier than signing a one-year contract earlier this month. Hart, who beforehand had profession stops with the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals, performed a complete of 4 video games final season.
Duke Johnson, Miami Norland, operating again
A Miami Dolphins participant in 2021, Johnson is likely one of the latest members of the Bills after signing on as a free agent final month. The 2015 third-round choice has amassed 2,261 yards and 11 touchdowns on 530 carries in his seven-year profession along with 2,870 yards and 12 scores on 311 catches. Johnson, 28, suited up for the Texans and Cleveland Browns previous to enjoying within the AFC East.
Jaquan Johnson, Miami Killian, security
The defensive again has performed his three skilled seasons with the Bills after being taken within the sixth spherical of the 2019 draft. He has began simply as soon as within the common season throughout that stretch, however has performed in 44 video games, made 26 whole tackles, and recorded one interception. The 26-year-old Johnson’s lone choose got here at residence final season in a 40-0 blowout victory of the Houston Texans.
Isaiah McKenzie, American Heritage, large receiver
Drafted by the Denver Broncos within the fifth spherical in 2015, McKenzie has spent all however his rookie yr with the Bills. His seven seasons within the NFL have seen him log seven receiving touchdowns (two got here in opposition to the Dolphins within the 2020 regular-season finale), 99 receptions, and 922 yards. The 27-year-old participant has additionally rushed for 3 scores on 38 carries which have gone for 175 yards along with throwing a landing move and returning one punt 84 yards to the top zone — which got here in a win vs., you guessed it, the Dolphins.
Zack Moss, Hallandale, operating again
A 3rd-round draft choose in 2020, the 24-year-old Moss has eight speeding and two catching touchdowns in his first couple of seasons with the Bills whereas additionally carrying for 826 yards on 208 makes an attempt and receiving for 292 yards on 37 grabs. Moss scored twice in opposition to the Dolphins in a 35-0 street rout in 2021.
Gregory Rousseau, Champagnat Catholic, defensive finish
Rousseau, 22, is one other relative newcomer on the Bills after being final yr’s first-round draft choose. The No. 30 choice began in every of the the crew’s 17 regular-season video games in 2021, producing 50 whole tackles, 4 sacks, one interception, and one compelled fumble. Two of these sacks got here in opposition to Miami in that 35-0 sport.
Devin Singletary, American Heritage-Delray, operating again
The 24-year-old Singletary has loved a formidable begin to his profession, as he has spent the vast majority of his three skilled seasons because the Bills’ first-string tailback. He has began in 40 of the 45 video games he has performed in through the common season, operating for two,332 yards and 11 touchdowns on 495 rushes and catching for an additional 691 yards on 107 receptions which have included three scores. Singletary, who was drafted within the third spherical in 2019, additionally discovered the top zone thrice within the 2021 playoffs.
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com