The Buffalo Bills continue to look to add more players to fill roster spots and create competition. They added former Philadelphia Eagles fullback Ben VanSumeren, per Sal Capaccio, shortly after the 2026 NFL Draft was over.
VanSumeren is bringing his talents over to create competition with the newly signed undrafted free agent Jackson Acker. The Bills' general manager and president of football operations, Brandon Beane, is hoping that one of these two fullbacks will replace Reggie Gilliam, a fan favorite, who has signed with the New England Patriots.
Bills create competition to replace Reggie Gilliam
Six years ago, the Bills signed Gilliam as an undrafted free agent from Toledo. This was back when the fullback position was nonexistent, and the Bills wanted to be part of the solution to making fullbacks relevant in the sport again.
The 6-foot-1, 255-pound finisher did his job well, as he racked up 149 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He ended up having better worth blocking for running backs such as Devin Singletary (2019-2023) and James Cook (2023-present).
Because the Bills needed to clear cap space and wanted Gilliam to be paid, he ended up signing a 3-year, $12 million deal with $6 million guaranteed with their divisional rival; the New England Patriots.
This provides the talented fullback with financial security and a pay increase he wouldn't have received from the Bills and brings him to a team that highlights the fullback position to support its rushing attack.
Who will win fullback position?
VanSumeren played college for five years, starting at Michigan and finishing at Michigan State. After his long collegiate career, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
In 2018-19, VanSumeren played running back, then proceeded over to the linebacker role in 2020, and tallied 81 tackles and two sacks. Regardless of those stats, he went undrafted and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023.
While playing linebacker in the City of Brotherly Love on Christmas Day in 2023, he tallied six tackles on 36 snaps at linebacker as the Eagles defeated the New York Giants 33-25.
VanSumeren is a great athlete, demonstrated by his 4.45 forty-yard dash, which is why he was originally a linebacker. But at 6 foot-2 inches, 231 pounds, with strong legs and a low center of gravity, he highlights his readiness, which could be key to the team's game plan. The Eagles thought he would be a great option as a fullback to help Jalen Hurts with the Tush Push.
In 2024, VanSumeren played in 11 contests, with 22 offensive snaps and 213 special-teams snaps. Unfortunately, he then incurred a season-ending knee injury.
Sadly, again in 2025, he had another season-ending patellar tear and was out for the entire year.
Now, he has signed a one-year contract with the Bills, looking to showcase his fantastic run-blocking talent that helped Saquon Barkley rush for over 2,000 yards with the Eagles in 2024.
As for Acker, he is also starting as an undrafted free agent and looking to carve out his own career as a fullback with the Bills. At 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, Acker is a playmaker with great size to help block for James Cook, creating faith in his spot on the team.
Acker had an interesting five-season college career at Wisconsin, during which his role shifted due to coaching changes and team needs. He started as a running back in 2021, transitioned to fullback in 2022, back to running back in 2023, and tight end/fullback in 2024-25.
It shows that the versatile college athlete could play multiple roles on the field then and would be prepared to compete for the fullback position now.
The young badger also has ties to Jim Leonhard, as he was the defensive coordinator and eventually the interim head coach at Wisconsin while Acker was playing there. Let's see if that helps him in his attempt to become the Bills' next fullback?
Both VanSumeren and Acker have what it takes to compete to replace Gilliam, but it depends on whether Joe Brady and staff want a rookie starting at fullback or a proven NFL fullback. Either way, it should be a great competition.
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