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Ranking the Buffalo Bills deep group of running backs

By Avery Duncan

BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 07: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at New Era Field on October 7, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - OCTOBER 07: Running back LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at New Era Field on October 7, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: T.J. Yeldon #24 of the Jacksonville Jaguars fights off the tackle of Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets during their game at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: T.J. Yeldon #24 of the Jacksonville Jaguars fights off the tackle of Darryl Roberts #27 of the New York Jets during their game at TIAA Bank Field on September 30, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

3. T.J. Yeldon

Free agency is a weird place for lesser known running backs. T.J. Yeldon’s first career visit in the open market is a fantastic example of that. Though he’s been lauded as an excellent third-down back with a game that can add more, the 25-year-old received little interest as a free agent. But, it shouldn’t have been that way.

The Bills made a lot of moves in free agency, but one of my favorites is the addition of Yeldon of a two-year $3.2 million contract. From the get-go, Yeldon should be able to help Josh Allen on third downs. His refined route-running coupled with his natural hands should mean plenty of quick-reads for the quarterback — his excellent blocking will help keep the QB keep his jersey clean.

Since entering the league in 2015, Yeldon has seen a fair amount of his work as a receiver. On the Jaguars, he averaged a reasonably high 4.57 targets a game and turned that into a career total of 171 receptions for 1,302 yards and six touchdowns. That production screams third-down back, yet, he also has the potential to be the Bills’ primary back.

Despite possessing a stout 6-foot-1, 223-pound frame, the Jaguars didn’t utilize Yeldon much as a runner. Outside of his 740 rushing yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, he’s tallied just 1,132 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the league. Though the Jaguars had Leonard Fournette on-board for the past two seasons, it’s hard to see why he wasn’t used properly as a complementary back.

Yeldon doesn’t bring excellent vision or explosiveness to the table, but he does have some power, wiggle, and speed (4.52 second 40-time) to his game. The Bills may see the same. With an upgraded offensive line implemented, they could, theoretically, mask his weaknesses. Either way, as a primary runner or a third-down back, Yeldon was an excellent get late in free agency.

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