Running Backs Analysis

The Buffalo Bills’ 2024 training camp will begin later this month at St. John Fisher University in Rochester, with the first public practice set for July 24. This will be the first chance for Buffalo fans to get a look at the team’s revamped roster; ahead of camp, we’ll break down each position group to help you get acquainted with the revamped unit.

In today’s episode, we’ll dive into the team’s backfield and examine the running back position. Check out some of the other positional primers we’ve put together so far:

Players listed: James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans, Frank Gore Jr.

Buffalo’s rushing attack is centered around James Cook, who just finished sixth in the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,567. Initially drafted as a complementary offensive weapon to use on the passing game, he has shown the qualities of a versatile back in his second year, showing noticeable development in his vision and decision-making. He rushed for 1,122 yards (fourth in the NFL) and two touchdowns last season while catching 44 of 54 targets for another 445 yards; at just 24 years old, there’s reason to believe he’s only going to get better.

It’s a bit of a dilemma regarding Cook, though, as there are both justified reasons for optimism and reasons for concern. He’s been a player on the rise throughout his pro career and hasn’t shown any signs of peaking; given that new full-time offensive coordinator Joe Brady turbocharged Cook’s sophomore breakthrough by taking over interim play-calling duties last year (with Cook totaling 137 touches for 730 yards after Brady’s promotion), it’s safe to assume the back’s role will be further expanded in Year 3.

That said, Cook, who was highly regarded as a wide receiver out of Georgia, struggled with drops last season, dropping seven passes, according to PFF. Several of those came at the right time or on potentially game-changing plays. He also had four fumbles last season, tied for second among running backs. There are more reasons to believe Cook will continue his upward trajectory in 2024 than not, but it would be dishonest to ignore the reasons for this pause.

Rookie Ray Davis and sixth-year running back Ty Johnson, who returns to the Bills after playing in a niche role for the team last season, are battling for the spot immediately behind Cook on Buffalo’s roster. Davis, who the team selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, may enter training camp with a leg up on the competition; a burly 5-foot-8, 211-pound runner with between-the-tackles ability, Davis is expected to replace Cook on short-yardage and goal-line situations. He showed a nose for the end zone, finding the end zone 14 times for the Kentucky Wildcats last season. There’s potential room for an expanded offensive role for Davis, as he doesn’t look out of place on the pass rush; he caught 33 passes for 323 yards and seven touchdowns in Lexington last season.

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Johnson is not enough as powerful as Davis, but he’s a bit more elusive and runs with a tough style that endears him to fans. He ran for 132 yards on 30 carries last year and also logged 85 snaps on special teams; it’s safe to assume he’ll be on the roster, and while he won’t have a consistent offensive role, his skill set allows him to fill in for Cook or Davis on occasion.

Darrynton Evans and Frank Gore Jr. both enter training camp as underdogs, but they have intriguing skill sets that make them names to watch. Evans is a versatile back with superior speed who spent the 2023 preseason with the Bills, making an impressive 35-yard touchdown run in the team’s final preseason game against the Chicago Bears. That run caught the attention of NFL front offices, as Evans split the 2023 season between Chicago and the Miami Dolphins; he rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown on 32 total carries last season, re-signing with Buffalo on a futures contract at the end of the campaign. He’ll need to have an impressive camp and preseason to usurp Johnson on the depth chart, but there’s a lot to like about the former Appalachian State Mountaineer’s game given his speed and agility.

Gore Jr. is, fittingly, the son of NFL legend Frank Gore, but he doesn’t play like his fathers. Instead, he’s a much more elusive runner, having rushed for over 4,000 yards throughout his college career. He’s, again, unlikely given Buffalo’s crowded backfield, but he’s a good developmental piece that the Bills would likely like to add to their practice squad.

We’d also be remiss to talk about Buffalo’s ground attack without mentioning quarterback Josh Allen, who returns from a 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 524 yards and 15 touchdowns. The 6-foot-5 human rhino is one of the league’s most dynamic players who plays a vital role in the team’s ground game; some of the load may be taken off him in the red zone this season, but when the game is on the line, expect Allen to take over with his legs (as he should).

There are a few question marks hanging over the Bills’ backfield (notably the unproven nature of Davis and Johnson), but there’s a lot to like about this unit. On paper, it has the makings of a well-rounded room that, given Brady’s demonstrated ability to design and call a running game, should find success again in the 2024 campaign.

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