Buffalo Bills 5 strongest positions heading into 2019
By Avery Duncan
4. Running back
Many can argue that the running back group isn’t deserving of this list. The fact that Josh Allen led the Bills in rushing yards last year with 631 tends to do that. But I’m not one of those people.
The Bills’ running back group last year was pitiful; LeSean McCoy had his worst season yet, Chris Ivory was flat-out ineffective, and Marcus Murphy is solid, but shouldn’t be relied upon heavily. However, it’s not the same for this year’s group — there is veteran talent, youthfulness, and promise littered through the running back room.
Despite calls for a release, McCoy appears to be returning to Buffalo for his fifth season. That’s a good thing. Though Shady wasn’t close to his perennial Pro-Bowl form in 2018, many, including myself, figure it’s still in there. The seven-time Pro Bowler dealt with injuries and played behind a lousy offensive line — although we don’t know how good the line will be in 2019. Considering that he’s had three 1,000+ scrimmage yard seasons in Buffalo, he should be the starter
Similar to the tight end group, the depth behind the starter is what makes the running back room so strong. To backup McCoy, the Bills brought in the ageless Frank Gore; who at this point of his career, is a sure-fire Hall of Famer. After Gore, the Bills have T.J. Yeldon and Devin Singletary. The former is a respected third-down back, while the latter is a rookie oozing bell-cow potential.
The Bills’ run game in 2019 won’t run through one player; a committee of talented players will handle it. Though we haven’t seen three of the four key backs play with Buffalo, the depth chart at the position is one of the deepest in the NFL.