Orchard Park, NY (WGR550) - My State of the Bills series continues with a look at the running backs and fullbacks:
RUNNING BACK
Under Contract:
- James Cook
- Ty Johnson
- Ray Davis
- Frank Gore, Jr.
Much like quarterback, there is no question who the number one running back is on the Buffalo Bills.
Not only did James Cook become the first Bills player to lead the NFL in rushing since O.J. Simpson in 1976 with 1,621 yards, he also logged 309 carries, the most of his four-year career and third most in the NFL.
After a contract dispute last offseason, Cook signed a new 4-year extension worth $46 million, including $30 million guaranteed.
Both Ray Davis and Ty Johnson have been the backups behind Cook for a couple years now. While Johnson saw his total usage in carries and receptions go up, Davis’ touches on offense fell dramatically, but he also found a new role he excelled in, earning First-Team All Pro kick return honors last year.
Johnson has been the team’s main third down back, and there’s no reason to believe that shouldn’t continue in 2026. The question is if he will continue to close the gap or even outpace Davis when it comes carries. Last year, Johnson carried the ball 50 times, just eight fewer than Davis. But he was targeted twenty times more in the passing game (33 to 13).
While Davis dropped from 157 carries in 2024 to just 58 last season, and didn’t see the field nearly as much (over 24% of snaps to less than 15%), he not only became the Bills top kick returner, but the best in the NFL, statistically, averaging 30.4 yards per return. He was the only player in the league to average 30 yards a return.
Johnson is under contract for one more year. Davis has two years remaining on his rookie deal.
Frank Gore, Jr. has been a member of the practice squad since joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2024.
He’s put together some impressive preseason runs, but has only seen the active roster due to an injury to someone ahead of him. That happened last year in the playoffs when Johnson missed both the Wild Card game at the Jacksonville Jaguars and Divisional Round contest at the Denver Broncos.
The Bills did not add any veteran free agents or draft picks to this room, which is an indication they are very comfortable with who they have headed into training camp.
They reportedly signed undrafted free agent Desmond Reid of Pittsburgh.
FULLBACK
Under contract:
- Ben VanSumeren
The Bills lost Reggie Gilliam this offseason after he signed a free agent deal with the New England Patriots. Gilliam was a major part of their offense as a lead blocker for Cook last season, but has also been one of the team’s core special teams players for the last six years.
Earlier this week, the Bills signed Ben VanSumeren to a one-year deal.
Van Sumeren had spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2023. He began his pro career as a linebacker before transitioning to fullback in 2024 and was also a key special teams contributor for the Eagles during his first two seasons.
After a highly decorated high school career in Michigan where he finished with 176 receptions for 2,888 yards and 29 touchdowns as a receiver, as well as 1,053 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing, VanSumeren began his collegiate career at Michigan as a running back before moving to linebacker.
After three seasons in Ann Arbor, he transferred to Michigan State for his final two seasons, the last of which he racked up 81 total tackles, including three for loss, and two sacks.
The team also reportedly agreed to an undrafted free agent t deal with Jackson Acker from Wisconsin.
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