Bills Mafia watched a consistent nightmare last season that was known as the run-defense for the Buffalo Bills. They allowed on average 136 yards per game and they were part of the reason why they came close or lost some games that ultimately cost them the AFC East.
While the Bills did add extra outside linebackers, and also moved some players to a different position, one thing that the Bills didn’t do was add a bunch of help in the middle of their defensive line. The only notable addition they made was drafting Penn State DT Zane Durant in the 5th round. Even with the switch to a 3-4 defense, the Bills appear to be running it back with the same unit at defensive tackle.
However, they did revamp the defense overall so the hope is that this defense will perform better under Jim Leonhard. As his first year of the defensive coordinator, he will be taking on some elite talent at the running back position. If he wants to impress Bills fans right away, he can start by limiting these running backs that could do some damage against Buffalo.
Top 5 running backs Bills will face in 2026
5.) TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots -Weeks 4 & 13
The second-year running back comes into 2026 with the New England Patriots and he could very well give the Bills some big time trouble. Bills fans better be hoping that he doesn’t take a step forward, after posting 911 yards and 9 touchdowns as a rookie. In Week 15 last season against Buffalo, Henderson went off for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
Now that New England has an established team with a franchise quarterback and a strong rushing attack, Buffalo will need to get creative on how they can take back the AFC East from the Patriots.
4.) Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams - Week 5 (MNF)
The Bills have a tough stretch from Week 5 to Week 6, starting with the Los Angeles Rams, who they will play on Monday Night Football before having to play against the Raiders in Las Vegas. So, the Bills get a primetime game on the road and then have a short week to prepare for another west coast opponent. That’s not easy at all.
When the Bills take on the Rams, they will have to find a way to stop Kyren Williams who has been a consistent Top 10 back in the league. Coming off his third consecutive season of 1,000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns, Williams could become a big problem against the Bills especially in short third-down situations.
3.) De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins - Weeks 11 & 17
Another AFC East running back. De'Von Achane is the second best back in the division behind James Cook and even though the Dolphins are in a rebuild, they managed to extend Achane to be part of that rebuild. Achane has given the Bills problems at times and coming off a 1,350 yard season and still be highly productive in the pass attack, he is set up to try and mess with Buffalo's defense again.
2.) Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions - Week 2 (TNF)
It is safe to say that Jahmyr Gibbs is a Top 3 running back and he surely does play like the best at times. He dominanted once again for the Lions and posted his second consecutive 1,200+ yard season along 18 total touchdowns. David Montgomery is out, and Isiah Pacheco is in as the backup, but that shouldn't affect Gibbs at all. Buffalo will see Gibbs early on when the new Highmark Stadium opens up on a Thursday night.
1.) Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens - Week 8
It was a toss up between Gibbs and Derrick Henry for the top spot, but I gave the edge to Henry simply because of the damage that he caused against the Bills’ defense for years, both when he was in Tennessee and Baltimore. He has rushed for four consecutive 1,000+ yard seasons and has scored double digit touchdowns every season since 2018.
Even though the Bills made a historic comeback against the Ravens in Week 1, they had to endure the production that Henry put on when he rushed for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns. Since joining the Ravens, Henry has faced against the Bills three times (twice in the regular season, once in the playoffs). Bills fans are hoping that he won't be a contributor by the time these two teams meet in the middle of the season.
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