The Buffalo Bills run game has been a constant storyline for a few years now due in large part to the lack of production. The offense has been able to get by for the most part because of Josh Allen’s ability to scramble and make plays with his legs. However, as Allen moves further into his career it would be smart for the coaching staff to start to shift some of their play-calling.
Recently, Jim Kelly gave his thoughts on Josh Allen and the lack of production from the running backs. The Hall of Fame quarterback said in a recent interview with Jackson Roberts of News10 NBC:
"“Josh [Allen] can’t do everything by himself. I hope they find a way to get a star running back.”"
Kelly would go on to say he thought Devin Singletary was pretty good, who spent four years with the Buffalo Bills but signed with the Houston Texans this offseason, but he wasn’t used enough.
Buffalo Bills already have that star running back that Jim Kelly wants for Josh Allen
There is no question that the Buffalo Bills need to take a little off Josh Allen’s plate. He can do so much that it is easy to fall into a trap of leaning on their franchise quarterback, which is the point Jim Kelly is trying to make.
However, the Bills already have that star running back that can help Josh Allen in last year’s second round draft pick James Cook. The former University of Georgia running back is a dynamic playmaker that can take pressure off Allen because he has a skill set that complements him well.
Cook’s strength is as a receiver out of the backfield but his ability to carry the ball shouldn’t be dismissed. Dave Kluge with Football Outsider tweeted that Cook ranked first in the league in rate of rushing attempts that went for 15+ yards.
While James Cook only had 89 rushing attempts all season, which is a fairly small sample size, it also shows what he could do with an expanded role.
The Buffalo Bills did add Damien Harris this offseason but if the Bills give James Cook an increased workload, he has the potential to be that star in this offense that Jim Kelly is looking for to complement Josh Allen.