NFL analyst calls Bills rookie a ‘perfect fit,’ warns James Cook

Many expect New Buffalo Bills offensive guard Ray Davis to serve as the thunder to James Cook’s lightning bolt, to act as a complementary power back who can spell the speedy Cook in short-yardage situations and when quarterback Josh Allen lines up under center. . It’s a natural projection for Davis, a fourth-round pick out of Kentucky who used his sturdy 5-foot-8, 211-pound frame to total 3,626 yards and 29 touchdowns throughout his five-year college career.

It’s also a projection that one NFL analyst expects him to exceed.

In a recent article outlining the most potentially impactful picks on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft, 33rd Team writer Marcus Mosher praised Davis not only as a player, but also as a schematic and philosophical fit at Buffalo; Several scouts have expressed concerns about the former Wildcat’s age in the pre-draft process (already 24), but Mosher notes the Bills aren’t looking for a draft clay ball — they’re looking for a contributor immediate offensive.

“Davis is a small (5-foot-8) but powerful running back who can run between the tackles,” Mosher wrote. “He’s a tough, competitive runner who should fit in well in Buffalo. The biggest issues Davis faced in the 2024 NFL Draft were his age (he turns 25 in November) and his college workload (840 touches). But the Bills don’t need a developmental running back with upside potential. They need a capable No. 2 guard who can spell Cook and carry the workload if necessary. That’s why Davis is a great fit for the Bills.

Davis will have every opportunity to carve out a role as Buffalo’s primary rotational back and situational powerhouse this summer, as the team’s depth chart at running back is rather thin. Davis is currently expected to compete for Cook’s remaining snaps with returning Ty Johnson, speedy Darrynton Evans and undrafted free agent Frank Gore Jr.; Davis not only has the most draft capital among these options, but he also has the powerful skill set most applicable to what the Bills are looking for in a Cook complement.

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Mosher expects Davis to not only fill that niche effectively, but also carve out a larger role for himself; the writer wouldn’t be shocked to see Davis become the “1B” in Cook’s “1A” by the end of the season, sharing carries equally with the third-year edge rusher.

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if Davis opened the season as Buffalo’s No. 2, and by the end of the season he and Cook were sharing the backfield equally,” Mosher wrote. “Davis is the type of runner the Bills have lacked over the last few seasons, and his style should hold up well when the weather starts to change. Outside of Keon Coleman, it wouldn’t be a shock at all to see Davis be the Bills’ second-most productive rookie this season.

While it’s true that Buffalo hasn’t possessed a similar skill set to Davis for several years, implying that he could match Cook in carries by the end of his rookie season seems a bit too optimistic; The former Georgia Bulldog shined during his sophomore campaign, finishing sixth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,567. His emergence was spurred by the promotion of quarterbacks coach Joe Brady to offensive coordinator at the mid-season; Brady made Cook a focal point of the offense after taking over in Week 11, with the back totaling 137 touches for 730 yards down the stretch.

Cook’s game doesn’t translate perfectly to the cold Buffalo winter, but Brady has demonstrable confidence in him. Davis will likely eat up his carries down the stretch, but at this point it’s hard to imagine an even split between the two.

That said, Mosher is likely correct in his analysis that Davis is a high-value pick for the Bills; he figures to contribute immediately on offense, which is considerable value at the No. 128 pick.