Should Bills Draft NFL Legend's Son? Two Names to Watch at East-West Shrine Bowl
The Buffalo Bills have already had one Frank Gore and they may be able to use another one in 2024.
Playing the position that his father excelled at, Gore's son, Frank Jr., is a running back seemingly bound for the NFL as a member of this spring's draft class following four seasons at Southern Mississippi. At the same time, the Bills are in need of bodies in the running backs' room.
Outside of James Cook, who took a stranglehold on the RB1 role in 2023, and Nyheim Hines, a potential salary cap casualty recovering from season-ending injury, the Bills have no other battle-tested ball carriers under contract for 2024. Veterans Latavius Murray and Damien Harris played this past season on one-year deals. Ty Johnson, who turned out to be a fabulous in-season pickup, is also an unrestricted free agent.
West running back Frank Gore Jr. of Southern Miss (3) runs with the ball against the East during the first half at the Ford Center at The Star.
© Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
With Joe Brady locked in as offensive coordinator, there's likely a desire to bring back Johnson, who carved out a notable role for himself after the Bills made the move from Ken Dorsey to Brady. The door even seems to be open for Harris to ink another one-year contract coming off injury, but as of the moment, there are holes behind Cook on the depth chart.
Seeing 351 regular season snaps on offense, Murray carried 79 times and was targeted on 22 passes out of the backfield. In 10 games, Johnson played 91 offensive snaps and 65 more on special teams. He accounted for 54 scrimmage yards in the divisional round playoff loss.
Depending upon if either running back returns, there appears to be room for a ball carrier like Gore Jr., who projects as a Day 3 draft pick. In Thursday night's East-West Shrine Bowl, the 21-year-old Gore rushed for 87 yards and one touchdown on six carries. Helping the West Team to a 26-11 victory, he he was named the game's Offensive MVP.
In 12 games for Southern Mississippi this past fall, Gore totaled 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Another potential late-round gem competed for the East Team in the annual college all-star showcase. Monmouth running back Jaden Shirden was limited to two touches in the game, but the two-time Walter Payton Award second runner-up showed plenty of burst and acceleration throughout the practice week. On gameday, he accounted for a three-yard rush and an eight-yard reception.
Shirden led NCAA Division I FCS in rushing each of the past two seasons while competing for former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowler Miles Austin's alma mater in the Garden State. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry in 2023.
