Running Back
Starter: James Cook
Backup: Damien Harris, Nyheim Hines, Reggie Gilliam (FB)
The running back position doesn’t necessarily have starters and backups but more players with defined roles. If there was a starter, or featured back, for this offense then it would likely be James Cook.
The second round pick from last year looked like he was ready to take on an expanded role towards the end of last season and with Devin Singletary not returning it is his job to lose. He is an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield but showed he can be a threat on the ground as well.
The Bills did add Damien Harris in free agency but he is going to be primarily be utilized on the ground as he has not made much of an impact through the air during his NFL career. What he does bring to this offense is power and should see about 10-15 carries a game along with a majority of the work in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
After Harris will be Nyheim Hines, who the Bills traded for during the regular season last year, however he saw very limited snaps on offense. He is a versatile running back that is more of a threat in the passing game but could be motioned presnap to line up in the slot. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey needs to make it more of a point in 2023 to have Hines involved.