Heading into last season, the Buffalo Bills made the decision to let running back Devin Singletary (now with the New York Giants) depart for greener pastures. That thrust RB James Cook into the lead role. He responded. After rushing for 507 yards while splitting time with Singletary as a rookie, Cook carried the ball 237 times for 1,122 yards last year. That’s solid production from a lead back, especially with a capable running quarterback factoring in.
Things didn’t go as smoothly further down the depth chart. Damien Harris, signed from the New England Patriots to serve as RB2, suffered a severe neck injury in Week 6 and missed the rest of the season. He retired in March. With Harris lost, the team tried its luck in playing veteran Latavius Murray and even brought RB Leonard Fournette onto the practice squad in late October. While Murray (79-300-4) was the best of the bunch, the overall lack of production from that spot was an issue.
General manager Brandon Beane hopes he has addressed that with the selection of Ray Davis in the fourth round, and perhaps even via the signing of undrafted free-agent RB Frank Gore Jr. With major changes at receiver in Buffalo as well, let’s take a look at the Bills’ backfield to see who holds value in 2024.
James Cook
A complementary back as a rookie, Cook jumped from 110 combined touches in 2022 to 281 last year. While his efficiency on the ground took a step back — he went from 5.7 yards per carry to 4.7 — he became a dangerous weapon in the passing game, logging 44 receptions for 445 yards and four TDs. That’s an area he could see even more work this year with WRs Stefon Diggs (Houston Texans) and Gabe Davis (Jacksonville Jaguars) both gone.
One area of concern for fantasy owners is Cook’s lack of success in the red zone. Across 326 career carries, the third-year pro has just four touchdowns. A bit undersized at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, he could defer to the 211-pound Davis, who is a more of a tough, between-the-tackles type than a big-play threat. That being said, Cook projects as the clear lead back and one of the focal points of the offense alongside quarterback Josh Allen and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
We have a nearly 30-year track record of creating fantasy football champs. Sign up for The Huddle today to gain an award-winning edge on the competition!
Ray Davis
Injuries and transfers were a big part of Davis’ collegiate journey, as he suited up for Temple, Vanderbilt, and finally Kentucky, rushing for 1,129 yards and 14 TDs as a fifth-year senior. Just two months younger than Cook, Davis projects as the likely short-yardage back for Buffalo, a role the team envisioned Harris filling last season before pivoting to Murray. Davis also is a capable receiver out of the backfield — he caught seven TD passes last year — and is tough to bring down.
The rookie lacks burst, however, and has racked up a lot of touches during this lengthy college career, casting his future squarely as a rotational back.
Ty Johnson and Frank Gore Jr.
Venture a bit further down the depth chart and you’ll find Johnson, a journeyman type who appeared in 10 games for the Bills last year, gaining 132 yards on 30 carries and serving as RB2 in the playoffs. If injuries spring up or Davis falls flat in camp, Johnson could keep that spot warm again.
Gore, the son of a likely future NFL Hall of Famer, runs hard and could contribute as a receiver out of the backfield if he makes the roster. Just don’t expect him to come close to what his dad accomplished.
Fantasy football outlook
Despite some struggles in the red zone, Cook’s durability and productivity, combined with the possibility of an even larger role in 2024, should make him a midrange or even high-end No. 2 fantasy back.
Davis has a chance to vulture some important touches — the combo of Harris and Murray scored five times — but as long as the team is willing to let Allen keep the ball near the goal line the rookie’s ceiling should remain fairly low. At best, you could talk yourself into Davis as a low-end RB5, particularly if you own Cook, but he feels like more of a watch list candidate in less competitive formats.
