Senior Bowl Offers Bills Depth Options at RB in 2024 NFL Draft
As the Buffalo Bills look to get younger and cheaper this offseason, a heavy emphasis will be put on the 2024 NFL Draft. Doing well in April could help sustain the potency of Buffalo’s Super Bowl window – which should last as long as Josh Allen is under center.
Subsequently, general manager Brandon Beane will have to monitor positional value to best allocate the Bills’ remaining cap space and draft capital. With potential holes at wide receiver, defensive line, and safety, saving premium resources for high-value positions is a must.
However, Buffalo can use added depth to its running back room. Starting running back James Cook had his fair share of success – 1,122 yards rushing and another 445 through the air – but a more complete running back room could have a range of benefits, especially in the playoffs. Cook ran 18 times for 61 yards in the Divisional Round.
SDSU's running back Isaiah Davis (22) gets tackled by a Villanova player on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023 at Dana J. Dykhouse in Brookings.
© Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK
Fortunately for Bills Mafia, this year’s draft class provides an assortment of running backs in the mid-to-late rounds that complement Cook’s skill set well. Featured this week at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl, few fit better than South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis.
Davis measured in at the senior bowl at six feet and 220 pounds, a stark contrast from Cook’s sub-200 frame. The playstyle difference is evident. Where Cook is at his best in open space and outside the tackles, Davis consistently wins in the traffic of the trenches, which is easier said than done given his size.
Cook is the big-play threat Buffalo needs, but a physical runner who can take the weight off of Allen’s shoulders in its short-yardage packages. Cook ironed out some of his inconsistencies as the weather grew colder, but Davis is as efficient as he is tough to tackle and would add a wrinkle to the rushing attack.
Where Cook and Davis both fall short is in pass protection. This could cause the Bills to return to veteran Latavius Murray – the oldest back in the sport – if one isn’t available at a later pick. However, Troy running back Kimani Vidal will look to prove himself in front of Buffalo officials this week.
Vidal is short and stout, coming in at 5-foot-7, 215, but offers many of the same skills Davis does. He’s not as tough, although he still blends physicality and elusiveness well. Vidal may not be the superlative power back in Mobile, but he separates himself in pass protection.
He’s aggressive and strong at the point of attack, buying himself opportunities to see the field on passing downs and, thus, make some plays.
The nature of the running back position and this year’s class mean talented runners should slip well into the draft’s second day. Whether it be a runner with a pedigree like Braelon Allen or a Senior Bowl back later in the draft, Buffalo shouldn’t have much trouble adding complementary pieces to its backfield this offseason.
