Bills Roster Breakdown (2023): RB

The Buffalo Bills really shook up their RB room this off-season, adding Damien Harris and Latavius Murray, while letting Devin Singletary walk in free agency. Buffalo wanted to stabilize the position, so Josh Allen and Ken Dorsey can rely on them this season and beyond, and they’ve done just that by adding both young players and old veterans to the room.

Brandon Beane especially wanted to add a big thumper into the backfield rotation. They added two. After the way last season ended, Beane didn’t want to make Josh throw 50 billion times in bad weather games. So, what do the new players bring to the offense?

Current Bills RBs

• James Cook
• Damien Harris
• Nyheim Hines
• Latavius Murray
• Jordan Mims

Damien Harris

Damien Harris came over from the Patriots. He was a focal point of the run game up until last year. 2020 & 2021 Harris had a nose for the end zone, racking up 1,620 yards and 17 TDs in those two years. The Bills got a firsthand look at Harris’ abilities throughout his time in New England; he totaled 364 yards and five TDs in four career matchups against Buffalo. Harris, who stands at 5’11”, 214 lbs, is bigger than recent Bills RBs. For example, James Cook is 5’11”, 190 lbs, and Nyheim Hines is 5’9”, 196 lbs. To me, this signing signaled that the Bills want to move more towards the traditional ground and pound run game.

Latavius Murray

Murray, who’s 33, has shown no signs of slowing down even as he approaches his 11th season. Last year with the Denver Broncos, he recorded 703 yards and five TDs in 12 games. Murray comes to the Bills looking from the outside in, however. If the Bills decide to only run with three backs, Murray likely doesn’t make the roster. In that case, he would be a lock for the practice squad.

James Cook

Cook was drafted last year, and served as Devin Singletary’s backup most of the season. Nevertheless, he was still very productive in his limited reps. He totaled 687 yards and three TDs (rushing and receiving). Cook will look to serve as RB1a in a committee backfield (with Harris as RB1b). Cook had his best production at the end of the season, against the Chicago Bears (11 rushes, 99 yards, one TD), and the Cleveland Browns (11 rushes, 86 yards). With some extra reps, Cook and Harris could be a top tier RB duo in the league.

Nyheim Hines

The Bills traded for Hines at the trade deadline last year, and obviously had no offensive plan for him during the season. He had just 11 total touches, and did most of his work in the return game. Now, with Harris and Murray in town, along with a projected uptick in reps from Cook, it’s going to be tough to crack this offense on game days. Hines will have to perform well this summer if he wants to see any snaps on offense. When Buffalo traded for him, the media had so many ideas for how to use him, and that may have lead to inflated expectations from the fanbase. But we need to see an improvement from him this season.

Projected RB Room

James Cook, Damien Harris, Nyheim Hines, Latavius Murray.

Featured Image: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images