Ray Davis could get heavy RB2 workload with Bills

The Buffalo Bills are going through a significant transition in 2024. After five consecutive playoff appearances that only got the franchise one AFC Championship Game appearance, Josh Allen‘s $30.3 million cap hit is forcing general manager Brandon Beane to get extra creative with how Buffalo builds a roster.

Buffalo has lost more than a handful of contributors to free agency this offseason to get under the cap and that includes some significant starters on both sides of the football. In the backfield, RB2 Latavius Murray is currently a free agent, and Damien Harris retired from football. That has left a big void.

After Buffalo addressed other needs at wide receiver, safety, and defensive tackle through the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, Beane spent the No. 128 overall pick on Kentucky tailback Ray Davis. The franchise will ask the Day 3 pick to play a big role early.

Former second-round pick James Cook is the clear RB1 in Buffalo. The Georgia product rushed for 1,122 yards last season while also chipping in 44 receptions for 445 yards and six total touchdowns. Cook, 24, is a top weapon for this offense and should approach 300 touches in 2024.

But help is needed.

The offense in Buffalo runs through quarterback Josh Allen, but at some point, the Bills are likely going to try and decrease his rushing attempts. The 27-year-old has logged 657 carries in his first six seasons, and that’s not even counting the 83 additional carries in the postseason. Allen’s legs will always have a role in the offense, but Buffalo needs a solid No. 2 to emerge behind Cook.

The Bills will allow Ray Davis an opportunity to become that sooner rather than later. Davis is fresh off an All-SEC season where he rushed for 1,129 yards, accumulated 323 receiving yards, and scored a Kentucky-record 21 single-season touchdowns. There is a lot of tread on the tires (840 career touches) for the tailback who is only two months younger than Cook, but Davis can bring head coach Sean McDermott and offensive coordinator Joe Brady a legit three-down skill set similar to Cook.

When Brady took over after Ken Dorsey was fired in the middle of last season, the Bills showed more commitment to running the football. That will likely continue in 2024. Second-year tight end Dalton Kincaid is Allen’s top passing target as this offense looks for a new No. 1 receiver.

Buffalo is hopeful that second-round pick Keon Coleman can have a big season, but the four-time defending AFC East champions might need to depend on the run game in 2024. The tailbacks and tight ends will also be asked to get involved in the passing game while this franchise rebuilds at wideout after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans and losing Gabe Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. The Bills could be an offense driven at tailback and tight end.

Ray Davis is stepping into a situation where he very likely becomes RB2 as a rookie. Buffalo will ask that second tailback to take on a volume of touches. The Kentucky product is a sneaky candidate to have a very productive season.

Do not be surprised if the fourth-round pick has major a role on a playoff contender in Buffalo.