Where does the Bills backfield stack up among the rest of the NFL?

The Buffalo Bills’ passing offense has received plenty of scrutiny during the 2024 NFL offseason, with some league experts questioning whether the team has done enough to supplement the spring departures of previous contributors principals Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis. While the concern (although perhaps exaggerated) is fair, the strength and recent production of its backfield is overlooked in discussions of Buffalo’s offense.

James Cook broke out in his sophomore season, rushing for 1,122 yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Drafted as a potential move-up in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Cook showed the makings of an all-around runner during the 2023 campaign, complementing his improved vision and decision-making on the field with sustained productivity as a that pass catcher for suggests his ceiling could be akin to that of higher-level edge rushers in the NFL.

Cook’s excellence, while not a talking point often discussed by national pundits this offseason, was recognized by CBS Sports writer Tyler Sullivan; In a recent article breaking down each NFL backfield into a specific tier, the analyst ranked the Bills’ rushing attack among the third tier in the league, calling them “promising.”

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“James Cook had a sensational sophomore season in 2023 as he took the lion’s share of touches out of Buffalo’s backfield and turned it into 1,567 yards from scrimmage,” Sullivan wrote.

The New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks round out the group.

The level seems like a fair landing spot for Buffalo given the other clubs in it; Cook occupying a tier with Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Rachaad White, Kyren Williams and Kenneth Walker III – while a bit generous, on the surface – is fair given his production.

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Benjamin doesn’t take note of the Bills’ other backs, but it’s worth mentioning Ray Davis, a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft who figures to spell Cook in short-yardage and goal-line situations. The big between-the-tackle runner appears to be carving out a pretty significant role for himself within Buffalo’s offense, and his presence, in theory, raises the unit’s floor, as it gives the Bills a younger, more reliable back to rely on to lean on if Cook had difficulty. /being forced to miss at any time.

It’s also unwise to mention Buffalo’s rushing attack without mentioning quarterback Josh Allen, who is as dynamic with his legs as he is with his arms. He rushed for 3,611 yards during his six-year NFL career; he is coming off a 2023 season in which he had 524 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns.

Cook, Davis and Allen shape up as a dangerous trio that could keep Buffalo’s offense moving as its revamped receiving corps develops internal chemistry; There is room for this group to move up from the third tier of NFL rushing attacks during the 2024 season.