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2026 NFL backfield

Buffalo Bills running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

James Cook III

Preferred handcuff

Ray Davis

Davis projects for Cook's rushing role, but Buffalo's backup order conflicts.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View James Cook III’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Buffalo's undated live team chart orders James Cook III, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson, but Ourlads' chart explicitly updated September 8 at 6:45 p.m. ET orders Cook, Johnson and Davis. This makes the nominal RB2 disputed. A September 6 RotoBaller fantasy projection says Davis would step into the lead-back role if Cook missed time, while September 11 reporting says Johnson is questionable after only a limited Friday return, his first practice since August 8. Davis remains the conditional pick for Cook's rushing workload and matches the deterministic model, but Johnson could retain passing-down work or outrank him if active.

Ray Davis is the conditional Cook handcuff for rushing volume, but this is not a settled depth-chart call. A dated chart places Ty Johnson second, and Johnson remains questionable after a limited Friday return.

  • availability_unverified
  • stale_availability
  • conflicting depth charts
  • Ty Johnson questionable
  • committee likely
  • conditional projection

The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Buffalo Bills, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Buffalo Bills full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
James Cook IIIPublished starter		Three-down back2022 · Round 2 · Pick 63active
RB2
Ray DavisPublished handcuff		Early-down runner2024 · Round 4 · Pick 128active
RB3
Ty Johnson		Receiving back2019 · Round 6 · Pick 186active
Unlisted
Frank Gore Jr.		Role under reviewUndraftedpractice squad

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

James Cook III

Age 26 · 5 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Explosive, efficient runner and a genuine receiving weapon; Buffalo deliberately increased his usage in 2025 and that is unlikely to change under Joe Brady. A true three-down back in one of the league's best offenses.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2022 · Round 2 · Pick 63

Drafted by BUF; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 309 carries and 33 receptions on 40 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Early-down runner

Ray Davis

Age 26 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Compact, physical back who slipped behind Ty Johnson on the 2026 chart but is still the likelier man to take the RB1 role if Cook missed time — he can handle early downs, short yardage and pass protection, where Johnson is a specialist.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind James Cook III. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: James Cook III. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 4 · Pick 128

Drafted by BUF; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 58 carries and 10 receptions on 13 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Receiving back

Ty Johnson

Age 28 · 8 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessmentDated board designation: Questionable
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Passing-down specialist and core special-teamer who is listed ahead of Davis but profiles as a receiving back, not a runner. Buffalo would not hand him 15 carries a game if Cook went down.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind James Cook III. The dated board currently prefers Ray Davis for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: James Cook III, Ray Davis. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A receiving specialist can retain passing-down work without becoming the lead runner. A bigger rushing role could go to a different teammate even if this player appears higher on the chart.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2019 · Round 6 · Pick 186

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 50 carries and 24 receptions on 33 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Frank Gore Jr.

Age 24 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Frank Gore Jr. is a second-year player listed by BUF at RB, from Southern Mississippi. The official roster lists him at 5-8 and 201 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
James Cook III
1730933191217.8
Ray Davis
1758103613.8
Frank Gore Jr.
—————
Ty Johnson
1750244635.9
James Cook III: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1335 touches
Wk 1420 touches
Wk 1524 touches
Wk 1617 touches
Wk 1721 touches
Wk 182 touches
Ray Davis: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 139 touches
Wk 140 touches
Wk 151 touches
Wk 165 touches
Wk 172 touches
Wk 1823 touches
Ty Johnson: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 135 touches
Wk 144 touches
Wk 157 touches
Wk 163 touches
Wk 178 touches
Wk 1815 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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