Buffalo Bills Free Agent Targets (2023): RB

Running Back isn’t the most pressing need on the Buffalo Bills roster, especially since they need to fix the Offensive Line. But if the Bills lose Devin Singletary, it would be nice to have a veteran back to pair with Nyheim Hines and James Cook. The Bills don’t have to break the bank at RB, just find someone on a cheap deal that can help out when called upon. With only two RBs under contract, finding another RB – whether through the draft or free agency – needs to happen.

Buffalo Bills cap space: $-18M

Leonard Fournette

The Bills had interest in Fournette when he was released from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, and they have a great chance to lock him down now. Fournette asked for his release because he didn’t want to be part of Tampa Bay’s rebuild, and the Bills provide the “win now” mentality that he’s looking for from his next team. This past year was kind of a down year for “Playoff Lenny”, totaling 668 yards and three TDs with a 3.5 YPC average. Fournette would be a nice change of pace from Cook and Hines, and would be able to give Josh Allen a break at the goal line so he’s not constantly taking a beating there.

D’Onta Foreman

This one makes sense for two reasons: (1) he’s a former Carolina Panther, and (2) he’s cheap, as Spotrac projects his contract to be one year/$3.4M. Foreman really broke onto the scene this past season after Carolina traded away Christian McCaffrey. He totaled 914 yards and five TDs with a 4.5 yard average. Giving him cheap contract that doesn’t put the Bills in cap hell, and gives Foreman a nice reward for his production last season would be best for both sides. (And also the fact that he’ll be on a winning team.) Aaron Wilson is reporting Foreman would be a hot commodity if he were to hit the free agent market.

D’Earnest Johnson

Johnson has spent the last four seasons with the Cleveland Browns, joining the team in 2019 after a short stint with the AAF. Since then, Johnson had an up and down tenure in the NFL. He really broke onto the scene a couple seasons ago in 2021 when both Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt went down with injuries. He totaled 534 yards and three TDs on 100 attempts, including 146 yards and one TD against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills look to find someone with the same skillset as James Cook and Nyheim Hines, Johnson is the perfect cheap option for the team. Spotrac projects his value at $2.6M per year, or two years/$5.3M.

Alexander Mattison

Mattison spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after being selected in the third round of the 2019 draft. Mattison has recorded 1,670 yards and 11 rushing TDs in his career while backing up Dalvin Cook. His season high in rushes has been 134, so he doesn’t have much tread on the tires. Mattison excels at pass protection and catching passes out of the backfield. That would pretty much negate the blow of losing Devin Singletary and then some, and for much cheaper. Spotrac projects his contract to be one year/$2.2M.

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