Are The Bills Fullbacks Better In 2016?

Jerome Felton is the third highest paid fullback in the league based on average salary but did not get as many snaps as his contract suggested he would. Are the Bills fullbacks better in 2016, than they were in 2015?

In December of 2014, the Bills had signed fullback Corey Knox to a futures contract for 2015. The Bills then made a splash in free agency bringing in Felton and giving him a fairly large contract for the position. Knox was released when John Connor, the Jets ex-fullback, became available and reunited with Rex Ryan in Buffalo.

Felton eventually was the only fullback who made the team but the Bills might have overspent on him because they didn’t use him nearly enough. He only played on 26.5 percent of the offensive snaps on a team that had the second-most rushing attempts in the league.

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This is the fourth time I am writing a piece where I mention the Bills possibly cutting Felton. It’s not that I have a vendetta against him but if he is not going to be used more than last year than his salary and roster spot cannot be justified. The Bills would be better off letting their new blocking tight end Jim Dray fill the “fullback” role when needed.

While the Bills want to ground and pound that doesn’t necessarily mean bull people over using a fullback. The physicality doesn’t have to come from a fullback, it can come from the Bills offensive lineman or even Karlos Williams. Those guys can wear down the defense making it easier for LeSean McCoy to get out in space to show his athleticism and for Mike Gillislee to use his speed for big runs.

If the Bills do decide that they want to incorporate more plays using that position, than I am fine with either Felton or Glenn Gronkowski filling in that role for the team (would also love for them to give Corey Knox a shot). Roster spots are very valuable and the Bills need to justify having a fullback on the roster by actually using them.

So will the Bills fullbacks be better in 2016 than in 2015? I’d have to say YES. I think the Bills are still going to carry a fullback this year and they will use him more often to justify his spot on the roster.

must read: Are Bills Wide Receivers Better in 2016?

Greg Roman is clever at designing plays around the talents of his players. He should easily be able to cook up some decent ones targeted for Felton or Gronkowski. Based on the increased volume you can expect to see increased production out of whichever fullback makes the Bills roster in 2016.