James Cook established himself as the No. 1 running back in his second season with the Buffalo Bills, and right now he is the only one.
Outside of a futures deal with Darrynton Evans, Cook is the lone Bills' ball carrier currently under contract. Latavius Murray, Damien Harris and Ty Johnson are all set to hit the free agent market come March.
Murray earned the most reps behind Cook this past season, but the 33-year-old appeared to fade down the stretch. Buffalo will presumably move on from the aging Murray, who totaled 419 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns in 2023.
Harris, who spent much of the 2023 season on Injured Reserve, carried only 23 times for 94 yards in a limited sample size. The hard-running Harris could realistically return on a minimal one-year contract and compete for the role he was supposed to fill the first time around.
Johnson, who was released by the New York Jets last spring, signed onto the Bills' Practice Squad and appeared to become a favorite of interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Activated onto the 53-man roster on October 23, Johnson proceeded to record 194 yards from scrimmage on 37 touches. His special teams value and pass-catching ability make him a candidate to return for a second season in Buffalo.
Even with potentially bringing Harris and/or Johnson back into the fold, the odds are in favor of Buffalo adding at least one new body to the running backs room. With the Bills facing stringent salary cap constraints, drafting a ball carrier on Day 3 appears to be the most practical way forward for Brandon Beane and Co.
Florida State's Trey Benson is one of the most-attractive running back prospects, but he may not last past Day 2. He accounted for 2,226 yards from scrimmage and 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Southern Mississippi's Frankie Gore Jr. and small-schooler Jaden Shirden are two running backs who should interest the Bills at this week's NFL Combine. Both Day 3 prospects had highly-productive collegiate careers. Gore, the son for former Bills' running back Frank Gore, totaled 1,131 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in his final season at Southern Miss. Starring at FCS member Monmouth, Shirden led the nation in rushing for the second year in a row.
The good news for the Bills is that Cook took control in the starting role last year, ranking fourth amongst NFL rushing leaders with 1,122 yards. Buffalo has its workhorse in place. Now, it's about adding complementary pieces through the NFL Draft.
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