PFF: Bills have NFL’s 19th best backfield
The Buffalo Bills have some things to figure out with their backfield, according to Pro Football Focus.
In their position-by-position breakdowns this offseason, running back rooms for each team were all taken into account, not just starters. In Buffalo, we see a group that has something to prove.
The football analytics outlet ranked the Bills’ backfield as the 19th best in the NFL.
PFF’s analysis:
The Bills have now invested three Day 2 picks into the running back position over the last four offseasons — Devin Singletary in 2019, Zack Moss in 2020 and James Cook in this year’s draft.
Singletary ranks fifth in rushing yards over expected over the last three seasons to go along with a 86.2 PFF rushing grade (11th among running backs with at least 300 carries). He should stay in place as the lead back, but Cook provides the speed and receiving ability that this backfield was missing. He should have an immediate role.
At this stage, the Bills should know what they’re getting from Singletary. He’s entering his fourth season in the NFL and he’s never really gotten an opportunity to be a bell-cow rusher.
Plenty of that has to do with quarterback Josh Allen and his emergence, but under the surface, the Bills have a decision to make with Singletary. Do they extend him as he enters the final year of his contract?
Buffalo might opt to wait that out and see if Cook and Moss can show signs that they might make a better backfield duo.
Cook is unproven as a rookie and Moss did have a sophomore slump–but if Moss returns to his Year 1 form, the Bills might let Singletary test the market.
The 2022 season will be a pivotal one for the Bills backfield.
And hopefully what unfolds scoots them up such a list in the future.
