3 Bigger RBs Bills Should Add This Offseason

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane confirmed his team’s plans to add another running back this offseason, according to multiple reports. The Bills currently have James Cook and Nyheim Hines on the roster. Devin Singletary is an unrestricted free agent and isn’t expected to return to Buffalo.

Both Cook and Hines are sub-200-pound slasher/receiver-type backs. Beane specifically discussed adding a powerful ball-carrier to diversify his backfield. It’s a wise goal given their current makeup at the position.

Buffalo must field a more balanced offense in 2023. An inability to consistently run the football was at the forefront of Buffalo’s divisional round postseason defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals. Beane has laid out clear instructions and we’ve identified three running backs Beane could acquire via free agency or the 2023 NFL Draft.

ZACH CHARBONNET

Charbonnet may be the premier power back in the 2023 NFL Draft. Charbonnet showed up at the NFL Scouting Combine a bit slimmer at 214 pounds, but he’s expected to maintain a playing weight of around 220. Charbonnet ran the 40-yard dash in a respectable 4.53 seconds as a result.

Charbonnet possesses excellent size and strength. He is a downhill, no-nonsense runner with vision and patience. Charbonnet is a north-south rusher with the type of contact balance Buffalo’s current backfield lacks. Charbonnet can break tackles in a phone booth before using his build-up speed to reach the open field. The Bills could target Charbonnet with their second or third-round selection. Charbonnet could handle early-down duties in Buffalo while Cook and Hines split passing-game work.

DAMIEN HARRIS

A plethora of intriguing running backs have come off the market in recent days, but Harris remains available. Harris was essentially replaced by Rhamondre Stevenson last season. The Patriots aren’t expected to pursue a reunion with Harris. 

The former Alabama standout accounted for 929 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. Harris should be interested in signing a one-year prove-it deal. The Bills could get excellent value on Harris’ contract.

The Bills are awfully familiar with Harris’ abilities. Harris spent the previous four campaigns competing against Buffalo in the AFC East. Harris rushed for four touchdowns and 214 yards in two showings against the Bills in 2021. Beane should take advantage of Harris’ slow-developing market.

ROSCHON JOHNSON

Johnson is one of the bigger unknown commodities in the 2023 NFL Draft. He was stuck behind a generational talent in Bijan Robinson at Texas, but routinely made the most of his touches when afforded opportunities to spell Robinson, having averaged a career-high 6.0 yards per carry in 2022. Johnson has handled himself well throughout the pre-draft process.

Johnson is a 225-pound back that totes the rock with a tremendous amount of power. Johnson’s toughness and physicality were on display on a snap-by-snap basis. Johnson also possesses enough short-area burst to explode through rushing lanes. 

He’s more elusive than his size indicates. Johnson is a pile-mover with terrific leg drive. He has the makeup of the ideal powerful ball-carrier Buffalo is apparently searching for.