Buffalo Bills rookie wide receiver Skyler Bell was one of the most productive pass-catchers in college football in 2025, recording 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns across 13 games at the University of Connecticut. After being drafted in the fourth round this past April by Buffalo, Bell has a chance to emerge as an immediate contributor in the NFL. The Bills added veteran wideout DJ Moore over the offseason to a wide receiver corps that also features Khalil Shakir, Joshua Palmer, and Keon Coleman. However, Buffalo has been searching for high-impact wide receiver talent for the last several seasons. If Bell proves that he can be a difference-maker with a strong showing this summer, the Bills' incumbent wide receiver options will not hold him back from seeing the field. As the WR106 by current redraft ADP, Bell is a late-round sleeper for fantasy managers to target entering 2026
The Buffalo Bills need more Ty Johnson in their life. So much so that the veteran runner distinctly becomes the team’s RB2 behind reigning rushing champ James Cook. Sure, Josh Allen has called Johnson “the best third-down running back in the league,” and while that descriptor comes directly from a common football label unrelated to depth-chart hierarchy, it does insinuate said player is his respective club’s RB3. Teams land their RB2 in many ways, but a homegrown draft pick is typically favored over a journeyman in these battles for complementary roles. As a draft nerd, I get it. But it’s time for Johnson to serve as Buffalo ’s clear RB2 ahead of Ray Davis . Last season, discounting what felt like an exhibition game in Week 18 against the Jets, Davis and Johnson both toted the rock exactly 37 times. Here’s how they compared statistically: Johnson was indisputably more effective — especially considering all of Davis’ 10-plus yard carries came in one game, against Pittsburgh . The term “third-down back” originates from yesteryear, when first and second down were unmistakably rushing downs, and third down was the clear passing down in the NFL. Of course, that’s no longer the case. And I assume with Joe Brady operating what should be his — completely unencumbered — offense in 2026, the Bills will migrate from their standing as one of the run-heaviest teams in football to closer to the middle of the pack in passing frequency. In short, second down is a passing down. Heck, for the Bills, first down should be too, even with Cook in the backfield. Cook has become of the NFL’s best bellcow backs. Josh Allen is, in my estimation, the best player in the NFL , and it’s always more efficient moving the football through the air than on the ground. Johnson’s pass-catching prowess should be prioritized as playing-time justification over Davis too. When Davis was on the field in 2025, the Bills ran the ball close to 58% of the time. When Johnson was on the field, Buffalo threw it nearly 75% of the time. If the latter becomes their unquestioned RB2, let’s assume the Bills would give Johnson more than three carries per game, right around what he averaged in 2025. In theory, that would tip the play-prediction scales closer to a 50-50 split if Johnson’s out there. And this push for an increased role for Johnson goes well beyond Johnson himself. It’s not insinuating Davis should be cut. Or that the Bills should adopt a true running back committee. Davis was an All-Pro returner last season. If that’s what he can focus on and be utilized for — while slotting into RB3 duties — he becomes tremendous return-on-investment as a former fourth-round pick. As for Cook, he proved more than capable of handling an old-school sized workload in 2025. But the Bills have now entered the period of his career — and contract — when optimizing his workload becomes vital. History suggests if they want three more years of prime Cook, they should ever-so-slightly lighten his carry totals… starting in 2026. And I want Johnson, the more multi-dimensional and explosive running back, as Cook’s primary backup in 2026
Last season, the Buffalo Bills led the NFL in rushing yards and dynamic running back James Cook was the NFL’s rushing champion after scampering for 1,621 yards on 309 carries, a robust 5.2 yards per run. The Bills have a crowded running back room, led by Cook, Ty Johnson , Ray Davis and practice squad back Frank Gore Jr., but on Thursday, Brandon Beane brought in another option for the Bills’ backfield when he signed United Football League MVP Ian Wheeler. Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by introducing Wheeler to Bills fans, although some fans will recall Wheeler enjoying a pair of solid preseason performances for the Chicago Bears against Buffalo. Check out the assessments of Wheeler’s skillset and then let us know how you think Wheeler will contribute in the comments section. The Buffalo Bills know a little bit about their latest member of the backfield, as Ian Wheeler made an impression on the team through his performances in both the 2024 and 2025 NFL preseasons. Wheeler, who signed with the Bears as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Howard University in 2024, played two preseason games for the Bears against the Bills. In 2024, he rushed five times for 43 yards with a pair of touchdowns in a 33-6 Bears win at Highmark Stadium. Then, in a 38-0 win in 2025, Wheeler rushed 19 times for 80 yards and a pair of TDs, giving him 24 carries for 123 yards and four TDs against the Bills in two preseason games. Wheeler suffered a torn ACL before roster cuts were made in 2024 and was released by the Bears. He spent time on the New Orleans Saints ’ practice squad before claiming United Bowl MVP honors after rushing for 81 yards and the go-ahead TD as the Louisville Kings won the UFL championship. During the 2026 UFL season, Wheeler amassed 541 rushing yards on 83 carries in 11 games, scoring eight touchdowns. In the playoffs, Wheeler averaged 10 yards per carry, finishing with 170 yards and two TDs on 17 carries. While at Howard, Wheeler totaled 1,154 rushing yards with 14 touchdowns, caught 23 passes for 234 yards, and averaged 25.4 yards per kickoff return on 42 runbacks with three TDs. He will look to make another impression on the Bills’ brass with a strong showing at training camp. Bills sign UFL standout running back Ian Wheeler – Buffalo News (subscription required) 5 things Bills fans need to know about Ian Wheeler, the explosive UFL MVP joining Buffalo’s loaded backfield – newyorkupstate.com Bills sign UFL MVP who put medical school on hold for NFL dream – Democrat & Chronicle Bills sign running back Ian Wheeler – WGR 550 Bills sign RB Ian Wheeler – BuffaloBills.com Bills Create Preseason RB Competition, Bring Spring League Star Back Into NFL – Sports Illustrated Buffalo Bills Bills sign UFL RB Ian Wheeler – NBC Sports Hear from quarterback Josh Allen on what impressed him the most about Buffalo ’s offseason workout program. Plus, how rookie offensive lineman Jude Bowry came to be called “The Bear;” checking in on Buffalo’s roster after the conclusion of mandatory minicamp; identifying the best and worst Bills uniforms in franchise history; and more! Josh Allen feels Bills had good spring – WGR 550 Recapping 2026 OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp – BuffaloBills.com ‘He is such a protector’: Bills rookie Jude Bowry earns his nickname, ‘The Bear’ – Buffalo News (subscription required) Buffalo Bills full updated roster following minicamp moves – Democrat & Chronicle Every NFL team’s best and worst uniform in franchise history – The Athletic (subscription required) AFC East preview: Jets take over from Sabres as most playoff-starved major pro franchise – Buffalo News (subscription required) Bills fans are snapping up Highmark Stadium seats at Wegmans – WGRZ How close have Bills and Rams been the past nine seasons? – Buffalo Rumblings The metric with strong predictive power to pick the Super Bowl winner – Buffalo Rumblings Cole Bishop is the right man at the right time for Jim Leonhard’s defen
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Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis flashed upside as a rookie in 2024, finishing the year with 631 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns on 130 touches. However, Davis' production fell across the board in his second season in 2025, as he logged just 361 scrimmage yards and two scores on 68 touches. Buffalo chose to feature star running back James Cook III more heavily in 2025, and Davis also fell behind Ty Johnson on the Bills' running back depth chart. With former Bills play-caller Joe Brady being promoted to head coach, Cook III's usage seems unlikely to change in 2026. Because Johnson profiles as more of a receiving threat, Davis may be more likely than Johnson to take over the RB1 role if Cook III were to suffer an injury. Still, Davis and Johnson would likely split snaps to some degree in that scenario. Cook III has also been exceptionally durable in his career, missing just two games across his first four NFL seasons. Davis is worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, but his handcuff upside may not be high enough to make him roster-worthy in shallower leagues
Davis is a stout but slippery back who possesses a well-rounded skill set and three-down upside despite his modest workload behind starter James Cook. As much as it's true that Davis won't have much to do whenever Cook is healthy, Davis has seized his brief opportunities in the past and, crucial for handcuff targets, Davis has the ability to take up a workhorse role if Cook were to miss any time. While Ty Johnson might be the technical RB2 even ahead of Davis on the depth chart, Davis is likely the one who would be starter if Cook were absent, while Johnson's role would mostly stay the same as a pass-catching specialist. Johnson was never a volume starter even in college at Maryland, whereas Davis is a workhorse through and through
Davis secured both of his targets for 33 yards during Buffalo's 33-30 divisional-round overtime loss to the Broncos on Saturday. Davis also recorded five kickoff returns for 130 yards versus Denver, but he didn't get a carry. The 2024 fourth-round pick earned first-team All-Pro honors as a kick returner in his sophomore season, but he took a step backward on offense, working behind both James Cook and Ty Johnson out of the backfield during the 2025 campaign. Across 17 regular-season appearances, Davis carried the ball 58 times for 275 yards and zero scores while also securing 10 of 13 targets for 86 yards. Of those totals, 151 of Davis' rushing yards came in a meaningless Week 18 win over the Jets in which Cook took a seat after the second offensive snap. Cook, Johnson and Davis all remain under contract with the Bills for 2026
