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Predicting the Buffalo Bills 2020 Depth Chart: Running Back

By Daniel Bruce

HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Running back Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against Mike Adams #27 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 04: Running back Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball against Mike Adams #27 of the Houston Texans during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at NRG Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 03: Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Washington 24-9. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 03: Devin Singletary #26 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at New Era Field on November 3, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Washington 24-9. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Starter: Devin Singletary

The incumbent starter heading into the 2020 season is the unquestioned starter for the Buffalo Bills.

After having a great rookie season, he will be given the reigns right from the onset without being sheltered by a veteran, like last season.

Enjoying a very good rookie year, Singletary accumulated 775 yards and two touchdowns on an efficient 5.1 yards per carry. While in the receiving game he showed he is capable despite his lack of reps in college with 194 yards on 29 receptions and 2 scores.

Despite being a very shifty runner, the sophomore running back has displayed great vision combined with good acceleration to attack a gap before the defense can close. PFF had Singletary as the best running back in gaining 10+ yards before contact, accomplishing that 13 times. With lighter usage than many of the top running backs the mark becomes even more exceptional.

Since Buffalo thought highly enough of Zack Moss to take him with a third round pick, like Singletary was, the split between carries might be more even than people think. At the start of the season expect Singletary to get the bulk of the carries, but as Moss gets more comfortable in the NFL, look of more of a 60/40 split between the two.

Between first and second down many expect the Bills offense to go by committee between Singletary and Moss, but expect the second-year runner to get the third down running back spot due to his shiftiness and chunk play efficiency.

Fullback: Patrick DiMarco

Despite bringing in a promising undrafted free agent in Reggie Gilliam, DiMarco’s job should be safe for the time being.

The fullback position is a dying breed in the new age of the NFL, with teams running a lot of 11 personnel sets to spread out the field more and let the athletes make plays, rather than the burly fullbacks.

A small contributor on offence, DiMarco is a great contributor on special teams. Playing 37.7% of snaps on special teams, while just playing 15.5% of the snaps on offense, with a potential decline in offensive snaps in the cards for DiMarco, he will be leaned on for his special teams ability and leadership.

With a unique, short offseason it would take something significant for DiMarco to lose his spot to Gilliam.

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