Three of the Buffalo Bills' five running backs from 2023 are pending free agents, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray, and Ty Johnson. I would like to see the team bring Johnson back for next season and maybe draft the third one. I could also see the team potentially using the draft to overhaul the runningback room, as a means to save on the salary cap. The Bills are going to have to lean on their draft picks this year to play important roles and provide depth.
The great thing here is that the Bills have their star running back in James Cook. I don't think Buffalo would draft an RB too high but then again, we've been surprised by some of Brandon Beane's picks in the past. We've seen them use a third-round pick before on a running back. Both Devin Singletary and Zach Moss were third-round selections of Beane's, but we also didn't have James Cook then.
Brandon Beane has become known to trade up in the trade to get the guy he wants, so don't be shocked if that happens again this year; however, Buffalo may keep all ten picks to build up some cheap depth pieces. That could include a late-round running back. Beane has already said that Nyheim Hines is part of the team's 2024 plans, and he's still under contract. On the flip side, the team could save nearly $5 million on the team's 2024 salary cap, so nothing is set in stone. Before we get into the running backs, if you missed my breakdown of some quarterbacks and wide receivers that will be at the NFL Combine, check those out as well. So, with that, let's get into five RBs that will be at the NFL Combine fans should keep an eye on.
Blake Corum - Michigan
Blake Corum was fun to watch at Michigan. He's play with heart and a competitive edge, that will serve him well at the NFL level. NFLDraftbuzz.com has him projected to go in the third round, which is why I mentioned Singletary and Moss earlier. Beane has been known to grab running backs at this spot, so it's not out of the question for him to do it again. My thought is there are too many other position needs, so I don't believe Beane will go in this direction, but again, I wouldn't be shocked.
Corum is 5'8" but weighs a solid 213 pounds. His size and low center of gravity make it difficult to get him off balance. Corum adds to legit speed as well having a reported 4.38, 40-time. Last season, Corum ran for 1,111 yards and an incredible 25 touchdowns. His 2022 season was equally dominant, rushing for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns. In his last three seasons, he's never averaged less than 4.7 yards per carry for the year. Pro Football Focus has him ranked third with a grade of 84.0, and 88th overall.
Will Shipley - Clemson
NFLDraftbuzz.com has Will Shipley projected to go in the fifth round. They have him as the 10th-ranked running back and 133rd overall. Shipley may be the best receiving back in the draft and if you watched Clemson games, you know Shipley can play from a multitude of positions. In 2023, Shipley lined up as the backfield, slot, inline, and wide receiver, and was also returning kicks, mostly kick returns but some punt returning too. He even lined up as the quarterback once last season. He's a player that a creative offensive mind can utilize in numerous ways to create mismatches, particularly in the passing game. I would love to see Shipley in Buffalo.
Shipley is 5'11" and weighs 210 pounds and is reported to have a 4.42, 40-time. Last season with the Clemson Tigers he 827 yards on 167 carries, with five touchdowns and a five-yard average. In 2022, he ran for 1,182 yards, a 5.6 yards per carry average, and a whopping 15 touchdowns. Over those two seasons, he recorded 69 receptions, and 486 yards receiving. Pro Football Focus has Shipley ranked ninth among the RB prospects, with a grade of 72.8, 125th overall.
Frank Gore Jr. - Southern Mississippi
NFLDraftbuzz.com has Frank Gore Jr. listed as a sixth-rounder. The sixth or later is where I see the Bills taking a running back if they decide to draft one this year. Gore, the son of former All-Pro running back Frank Gore, looked great in the Shrine Bowl. He was selected as the Shrine Bowl offensive MVP, rushing for 87 yards on just six carries and a touchdown.
Gore is 5'7", weighs 199 pounds, and runs a 4.5, 40-time. In 2023, Gore ran for 1,131 yards and ten touchdowns. He added 27 receptions, for 221 yards and three more touchdowns. In 2022, he ran 1,382 yards, with nine touchdowns, while adding 19 receptions and 219 yards through the air. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 88, which ranks him 17th among the RBs and 203 overall.
Cody Schrader - Missouri
Cody Schrader had a solid Senior Bowl performance but with his 40-time of 4.6 seconds, he's not going to wow anyone with that speed. However, he will have a chance throughout the scouting process to show he can improve on that time. He is 5'8" and weighs 207 pounds. Schrader played only two seasons with Missouri before opting for the NFL Draft this season but experience at the RB position isn't as critical as other positions. And is probably a good thing, given the shorter career of RBs due to all the hits they take throughout a season.
In 2023, Schrader ran for an amazing 1,483 and an impressive six yards per carry, with 13 touchdowns. In 2022, as a freshman, he ran for 685 yards, 4.4 yards per carry and eight touchdowns. Over those two seasons, he added 39 receptions and 326 yards. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 83.3, ranked him 16th among the backs, and 182nd overall. NFLDraftbuzz.com projects him as a sixth-rounder.
George Halani - Boise State
George Holani was tremendous for the Boise State Broncos, amassing 3,426 all-purpose yards, which includes 71 career receptions and 27 total touchdowns. Neither NFLDraftbuzz.com nor Pro Football Focus evaluated Holani but as someone who lives in the Boise area and has seen every one of his games, I'm telling you, the kid can flat-out play. Besides, he's a former teammate of Khalil Shakir, so maybe the Bills go to Boise State well and strike gold again. I also called out Khalil Shakir as a gem before the Bills ever drafted him, so I like to think I have some credibility when it comes to our local kids here.
Holani is 5'11" and weighs 205 pounds. The fact that Holani was invited to the NFL Combine also tells me that I'm not the only one who thinks he can play, which is a little surprising that scouting information on him is hard to find. He'll have an opportunity at the combine to turn some heads and show why people need to be paying attention. As of right now, he's probably projected as a seventh-round selection or maybe an undrafted rookie free agent.