Four Running Backs Bills Should Consider After NFL Combine
The Buffalo Bills' running backs rotation has officially been reduced to a one-man show at the moment.
As predicted by multiple salary cap enthusiasts, the Bills intend to release veteran running back Nyheim Hines who lost the entire 2023 season due to a non-football injury. The move will create approximately $4.6 million in space for the cap-strapped Bills according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Hines's departure leaves 2022 second-round draft pick James Cook as Buffalo's lone ball carrier under contract, significantly increasing the likelihood the team will spend draft capital on the running back position this spring. Damien Harris, Latavius Murray and Ty Johnson are all free agents, and even if one of the three returns on a low-cost contract, the Bills still need more bodies at the position.
With holes on the defensive line and the need for a field-stretching receiver who can complement Stefon Diggs, Buffalo will almost definitely wait until the late rounds of the draft to add a ball carrier. As such, here are four running back prospects who all participated at the NFL Combine and have appeal as potential Day 3 picks.
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Frank Gore Jr., Southern Mississippi
Gore, the son of the NFL's all-time third leading rusher, ran through Combine drills with his father looking on from the stands. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Bills were one of 10 teams that met with Gore in Indianapolis.
After rushing for 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games at Southern Miss last fall, Gore accounted for 87 yards and one touchdown in the East West Shrine Bowl. He has been graded as a late-round pick.
Jaden Shirden, Monmouth
Following back-to-back D-I FCS rushing titles, Shirden earned invitations to the East West Shrine Bowl and NFL Combine. The small-school product, who scored 14 career touchdowns on plays of 50+ yards, put his elite acceleration on display during the 40-yard dash testing in Indianapolis. Shirden produced the fifth fastest time amongst all running back participants, clocking in at 4.45. His 1.51 10-yard split ranked first at the position.
It's the second year in a row that Monmouth has a running back prospect in the NFL Draft pool. Owen Wright, Shirden's former college teammate, spent the 2023 season on the Baltimore Ravens' Practice Squad and subsequently signed a futures contract.
Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State
The leading rusher for the back-to-back NCAA Division I FCS National Champions is attempting to join former South Dakota State teammate Tucker Kraft in the NFL following a remarkably productive collegiate career. Over 46 games, Davis rushed for 4,548 yards and 50 touchdowns.
Davis ran the 40 in 4.57s at the NFL Combine, beating out Power 5 prospects like TCU's Emani Bailey and Missouri's Cody Schrader. He put up 23 reps on the 225-pound bench press, tying for fifth amongst running backs.
Isaac Guerendo, Louisville
Guerendo was a big winner at the Combine. His 41.5-inch vertical and 4.33 40 time were both tops amongst all running backs. He received a max-99 athleticism score from NFL Next Gen Stats, becoming only the fifth RB since 2003 to do so.
Following four seasons at Wisconsin, the transfer totaled 1,044 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns for Louisville in 2023. He also returned kicks in college, an ability that may make him an attractive replacement for Hines.
