The NFL season is approaching fast and the pre-season will be here before we know it. Teams have already begun evaluating their roster and formulating which 53 players will be able to compete for a super bowl this upcoming season. Most positions have more players than they need throughout the pre-season and will cut the groups down during the process to 53. The Buffalo Bills have a large group of running backs this season and will be losing a few before the regular season begins. Here is a pre-season evaluation of the Buffalo Bills running backs.
Bills Running Backs Pre-Season Evaluation
LeSean McCoy, 30, 11th Season
LeSean McCoy returns to Buffalo for his eleventh season in the NFL. McCoy had a rough season in 2017-18 but looks to rebound this year with a better offense around him. The Bills changed a large portion of their offensive line during the off-season. Now, McCoy can return to his form that led him to five straight pro bowls prior to last season.
T.J. Yeldon, 25, 5th Season
Yeldon has had a solid career so far in the NFL. He has been a top backup since being drafted in 2015. He had a chance to showcase his abilities as a starter this past season due to Leonard Fournette dealing with multiple injuries. Yeldon left the Jaguars to join the Bills who desperately needed more youth at the running back position. He is Buffalo’s second-youngest running back after they drafted a running back in this year’s NFL draft. Yeldon has a chance to become Buffalo’s primary receiving back and could see a lot of work on third downs. He will more than likely make the 53-man roster.
Devin Singletary, 21, Rookie
Buffalo drafted Singletary in the third round of this year’s NFL draft. Buffalo appears to have a long-term plan for the youth of the running back position with Singletary leading the way. Singletary is Buffalo’s youngest running back and before this off-season, Buffalo’s youngest running back was 27. Singletary had an outstanding career at Florida Atlantic University. 4,287 rushing yards and 66 touchdowns in three seasons at FAU. This includes a season where he totaled 1,900 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Singletary has no shortage of talented veterans to learn from with LeSean McCoy and Frank Gore leading the way in Buffalo. With their help, Singletary can learn to dominate the NFL the way they have and continue to do into their thirties. Singletary has a strong chance to eventually become the feature back in Buffalo.
Frank Gore, 36, 15th Season
Gore is entering his fifteenth season in the league and Buffalo is his fourth team in his career. Gore has been incredibly consistent throughout his career, hitting at least 600 yards in each of his 15 seasons. He will fight for playing time in Buffalo’s crowded backfield, but his veteran leadership and consistency will help him make the 53-man roster.
Marcus Murphy, 27, 5th Season
Murphy has been on the Bills’ roster for a few seasons now. Murphy showed promise as a backup for the Bills in the pre-season and had flashes during the 2018-19 NFL season. The Bills had a tough time with injuries at the running back position this past season. Now, Buffalo’s running back group is healthy and has added multiple new faces to compete for snaps this season. Murphy will need to take the next step if he is going to make the 53-man roster with veteran Frank Gore and proven receiving back T.J Yeldon added to the roster.
Senorise Perry, 27, 4th Season
Perry has had an interesting career so far. He has played for Chicago, Miami, and now Buffalo. Perry has been strictly a kick returner during his career and would likely stay that way in Buffalo. With the depth Buffalo has at the running back position, Perry will need to perform if he wants to make the 53-man roster.
Christian Wade, 28, Rookie
The Bills brought Rugby star Christian Wade into the NFL this off-season to see if he can adapt to the sport of football. Wade is on a special contract as a part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. Wade will develop with the Bills’ organization this season and try and make it in the league next season.
Pat DiMarco, 30, 8th Season
DiMarco is entering his third season with the Bills. He has been a top fullback in the NFL dating back to his time in Atlanta. The fullback position has been isolated recently in the NFL and many teams have gotten rid of the position. The Bills seem to be keeping the fullback position involved in the offense which should secure DiMarco a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2019-20 NFL season.
Last Word
The Bills will keep three or four running backs this season and it seems clear who will make it at the top. LeSean McCoy, T.J. Yeldon, and Devin Singletary are likely to make the roster based on talent and future potential. Pat DiMarco will make the roster as long as Buffalo continues to feature a fullback. If Buffalo decides to keep an additional running back, Frank Gore’s veteran leadership should give him the advantage over the other backs. With Buffalo’s acquisition of Andre Roberts, Perry’s skills seem less important to the Bills overall roster. Murphy’s opportunity seems to have come and gone in Buffalo and if it has, he will make another team’s roster for sure.
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