NFL.com examined the running back situation of each team ahead of free agency’s start next week. For the Buffalo Bills, NFL.com is a bit uncertain of their situation in the backfield.
The analysis placed the Bills in the “Much to think about” category along with the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles with respect to their running backs.
The Bills have seemingly handed over the reins to Devin Singletary, as he garnered the majority of the backfield touches as last season progressed. However, NFL.com still expresses a little concern ahead of free agency:
Buffalo experimented last summer with a veteran-heavy backfield of LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore, but neither graybeard is expected to be in Western New York this time around. 2019 third-round pick Devin Singletary was brought on slowly behind Gore and emerged as a back worth building around by season’s end. He’s currently flanked by T.J. Yeldon and Briton experiment Christian Wade in Buffalo’s backfield. The Bills can do better and can save $1.7 million by cutting Yeldon, who was a healthy scratch more often than not in 2019. Buffalo can replace Gore with a thicker free agent like Melvin Gordon, Carlos Hyde, Jordan Howard or, well, Gore, if the Bills are open to another go with the 36-year-old.
Singletary rushed for 775 yards on 151 carries. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry, which was among the league’s best for running backs. Yeldon was inactive for most games, and Wade still has a ways to go with learning the North American game.
However, with the depth chart unsettled behind Singletary, there is a good chance the Bills will look to bolster this unit via free agency or the draft. Earlier this month at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott actually did praise Yeldon plenty, though. Could he be a factor in the Bills’ running back room next season?
The Bills Wire podcast, The Kyle Silagyi Hour, recently placed Howard at the top of its hypothetical free agent big board.
[lawrence-related id=56801,56861,56813,56795]