Why C.J. Spiller of the Bills Will Be NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

By Brandon Moor
August 16, 2010

With the ninth overall selection of the 2010 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected running back C.J. Spiller from the University of Clemson.

Of course, picking Spiller didn’t quite fulfill their needs on the offensive side of the ball.

However, if you’re going to miss, miss in the right direction.

Spiller is the perfect unintended target.

Signed to a five-year, $25 million deal with $20.8 million guaranteed, C.J. Spiller is expected to make an immediate splash on both offense and on special teams.

During the 2009 NFL regular season, Fred Jackson carried the brunt of the running game with Marshawn Lynch playing second fiddle, as Jackson proved to be an unexpected surprise, running for 1,062 yards during the 2009 season.

Even with Terrell Owens split out at wide receiver, the Buffalo Bills' offense ranked 30th overall in passing offense at 157.2 yards per game.

The running game was significantly more effective, mounting yards at a clip of 116.7 yards per game, rated 16th overall.

Either way you look at the offense, the best possible term to use in describing it is, well...disappointing.

The addition of Spiller should right away improve the Bills' starting field position on each offensive possession.

At 5'11", 196 lbs., Spillers is a rabid pinball with lightning-quick feet.

Reaching top speed the second he touches the ball, defenders misreading their tackling angles in pursuit of Spiller are done.

Forget about catching him.

For those who tracked C.J. Spiller from his freshman year in 2006 through the 2009 season, his explosiveness stood out right away.

Playing behind James Davis his freshman year, Spiller became a triple threat on offense.

Similar to the Darren McFadden/Felix Jones connection in Arkansas, Death Valley was the home of the Davis/Spiller duo.

Four years, 7,588 total yards, 51 touchdowns, and one of the best football players in Clemson history later, the potential packed by Spiller makes him a serious candidate to be an All-Pro ASAP.

Results posted after each draft candidate finished their NFL Combine workouts are deceptive in appearance.

The 40-yard dash was the only category Spiller’s name emerged in as he ran a 4.37 40, second behind California’s Jahvid Best. 

Not to be deterred, NFL scouts are still higher than ever on Spiller.

They feel he’s not only built for life in the NFL, but they also stand firm that Spiller can be a 20 to 25 carry per game player at the running back position with continual big play capability.

Watching Spiller take a handoff, receive a ball out in the flat, or return the ball on special teams and excel from 0-60 mph in the blink of an eye is a sight to behold.

The downside to playing in Buffalo is the Bills' single-minded offense.

Ryan Fitzpatrick must pass for more than 1,422 yards if the backfield has any shot to succeed.

Being content with the 30th-rated pass offense in the NFL diminishes the value of the running games, thus holding Buffalo down as the AFC bottom feeders.

Buffalo is expecting big things from its ninth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and adding Spiller opens up the offense all around.

How will the Bills utilize Spiller?

You know that Reggie Bush guy?

The guy donning the No. 25 wearing the black and gold of the New Orleans Saints?

C.J. Spiller won’t have to display gaudy numbers to impress the league.

His presence shifts the defensive focus to more than the running game.

Versatile and freakishly athletic, Spiller can split out as a wide receiver while Jackson and Lynch patrol the backfield.

An ample range on offense will no doubt catch the wandering eye of the NFL, players and fans alike.

Buffalo’s odd pick should pay off in more ways than one, adding a three-way player capable of exploding at any moment. 

C.J. Spiller is the best rookie in the AFC, and maybe the best rookie in the NFL.