Not one RB drafted or undrafted FA signed

[Alphadawg7]

18 hours ago, ElMarko said:

Any theories or Cook comments?

 

I mean no theory needed...Beane has said they fully expect Cook to play his contract out this year.  With Cook, Davis, and Ty we were set at RB already.  The fact they didn't make a move in the draft shows they are fully expecting Cook to suit up and be all in this season.  And Beane said they will continue to try and work on a deal along the way.  

 

Had they drafted one in the first 4 rounds, especially one that would have been a complimentary player to what Davis does, then I would think there was either expectation of a potential hold out or some trade talks that felt close at the very least.  The lack of activity just backs up everything Beane has said about Cook and the good relations between the 2 sides still, and what they expect to see from him come camp.  

[Logic]

I'm surprised.

They're going to need more bodies for camp alone, I would think.

Or did they only go to camp with 5 RBs last year, too?

 

[BuffaloMatt]

18 hours ago, BruceVilanch said:

My theory is Cook will continue to want more money than Beane is willing to give, he will threaten a holdout, he might miss TC but he would be stupid to holdout through actual games, that would tank his FA value. I believe this will be his last season in Buffalo, which is fine. I'd like to keep him, but he's asking for waaaay too much, Dalvin is giving him stupid advice.

Worked out great for Dalvin . . . 

[wppete]

Cook is playing for the Bills this year he doesn’t have an option and if he is smart he should take a contract thats good for him and the team. 
 

On the roster we have 5 good RBs

 

Cook

Davis

Johnson

Evans

Gore Jr. 

[Pete]

RB is an offense position.  Beane does not give a crap about the offense.  Here’s some retreads at WR Josh.  You got this MVP

[BarleyNY]

51 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

I mean no theory needed...Beane has said they fully expect Cook to play his contract out this year.  With Cook, Davis, and Ty we were set at RB already.  The fact they didn't make a move in the draft shows they are fully expecting Cook to suit up and be all in this season.  And Beane said they will continue to try and work on a deal along the way.  

 

Had they drafted one in the first 4 rounds, especially one that would have been a complimentary player to what Davis does, then I would think there was either expectation of a potential hold out or some trade talks that felt close at the very least.  The lack of activity just backs up everything Beane has said about Cook and the good relations between the 2 sides still, and what they expect to see from him come camp.  

 

It’s not like it would be the first mistake Cook and his agent made if he did some sort of hold in or out, but it makes little sense for him to do that. The players effectively gave up their ability to hold out while under contract in the last CBA. He can do a “hold in” but he has to be a good soldier for the season. If another RB had to take his place and was as effective as he was, then his value plummets. Too big of a risk IMO.

 

I’m a fan of adding value in the draft and the depth of this RB class was so good I’d have liked to have seen an addition there. Maybe a good RB gets hurt or maybe one of last year’s RBs gets beat out by a better player. That would have been nice, but it wasn’t necessary unless Cook is expected to be a problem. I don’t think that happens though. But I do expect this to be his last season here. 

[Orlando Buffalo]

19 hours ago, Yobogoya! said:

I honestly think the Bills would be willing to give Ty Johnson a heavy workload with Ray Davis as the #2 if Cook legitimately held out into the regular season. Fact is 17 makes the offense go, Cook is a weapon but we’d score points without him. 
 

If all else fails we can always give big Reggie G a few carries 😤

At the point we are giving Gilliam more than 10 carries all year I am banging the drum to pay Cook, but I think we can get by with the others 

[vtnatefootball11]

2 hours ago, BearNorth said:

Like last year when Worthy was on the board and we traded the pick to our nemesis...

 

So actually I'm okay with passing on Worthy, I wasn't convinced that he was anything more than a gadget (still not). Jury is still out on Keon. 

 

I'm actually mostly frustrated on passing on Zay Flower and BTJ in back to back years when they were just a few picks away. We trade up for Elam and Kincaid without hesitation, but on an elite, explosive wide receivers, Beane's like nah, no thanks.  Zay and BTJ were great receivers, not just a speed threat, it was obvious to anyone that watches a lot of football. Cannot understand what Beane and co were thinking. 

[Mat68]

2 hours ago, ElMarko said:

A lot of replies are saying "not a chance to make the final roster" as a reason... I mean 98.5% of the undrafted free-agents have close to 0% chance of making the team as well. They sign to get camp experience, possible pre-season game tape and a chance to show who they are to the rest fo the league. Im very surprised not even one RB was brought in.

Agents still steer clients to teams with open spots.  Buffalo would be one of the worst spots to go to as a UDFA rb. Starter backup 3rd down locked up.  Evans able to play.  Gore has the leg up with scheme.  

3 minutes ago, vtnatefootball11 said:

 

So actually I'm okay with passing on Worthy, I wasn't convinced that he was anything more than a gadget (still not). Jury is still out on Keon. 

 

I'm actually mostly frustrated on passing on Zay Flower and BTJ in back to back years when they were just a few picks away. We trade up for Elam and Kincaid without hesitation, but on an elite, explosive wide receivers, Beane's like nah, no thanks.  Zay and BTJ were great receivers, not just a speed threat, it was obvious to anyone that watches a lot of football. Cannot understand what Beane and co were thinking. 

They were picked before.  You cant assume Buffalo didn't try to move up. 

[jkeerie]

15 minutes ago, Mat68 said:

Agents still steer clients to teams with open spots.  Buffalo would be one of the worst spots to go to as a UDFA rb. Starter backup 3rd down locked up.  Evans able to play.  Gore has the leg up with scheme.  

They were picked before.  You cant assume Buffalo didn't try to move up. 

Beane said as much today on OBL.  He said sometimes they have the desire to move up for a player, but can't find a trading partner willing to move down to their spot.

[eee1776]

I think we invited Rahjai Harris RB from East Carolina .

[Poleshifter]

21 hours ago, DJB said:

If we don’t sign him to a reasonable extension, Beane is going to tag him 

With the tag, you would be paying him Barkley/D. Henry level money. That makes no sense.

 

[DJB]

43 minutes ago, Poleshifter said:

With the tag, you would be paying him Barkley/D. Henry level money. That makes no sense.

 

It buys you one year to figure out the replacement  so yes it makes sense 
 

 

[warrior9]

22 hours ago, vtnatefootball11 said:

I think everyone is discounting that Cook very well may hold out to start the year. We need another option. We have zero weapons on offense outside of Cook. We can't keep putting it all on Allen's shoulders, it's so hard to win a Super Bowl that way, everything has to go perfect. So frustrated with Beane's approach to the RB and WR room. Literally nobody scares you.

Cook benefitted from a fantastic o-line and some of Josh Allen's best football. Couple that with a new scheme, it went well for all running backs involved. Davis avg 3.9, Johnson avg 5.2, Cook 4.9. 

 

We have plenty of weapons outside of Cook, the only one that matters wears number 17. 

 

Want to pay Cook? Ok get ready to lose some linemen... guess who that affects?

Edited 21 hours ago by warrior9

[BullBuchanan]

23 hours ago, vtnatefootball11 said:

I think everyone is discounting that Cook very well may hold out to start the year. We need another option. We have zero weapons on offense outside of Cook. We can't keep putting it all on Allen's shoulders, it's so hard to win a Super Bowl that way, everything has to go perfect. So frustrated with Beane's approach to the RB and WR room. Literally nobody scares you.

Do they play the Super Bowl in September? Let him hold out, it'll give Davis valuable reps in  games they'll win anyway.

We don't need Cook until January.

Edited 20 hours ago by BullBuchanan

[SoTier]

There's lots of time to get a contract done, including after the 2025 season until the opening of FA.

 

Drafting a RB would have been a shot over Cook's bow, a signal that the Bills aren't going to budge on the money.  Beane wisely decided to keep communications/negotiations open going forward. 

Edited 20 hours ago by SoTier

[DCofNC]

On 4/27/2025 at 8:11 PM, DJB said:

If we don’t sign him to a reasonable extension, Beane is going to tag him 

Doubt it. You let him walk and take the comp pick.

[ganesh]

On 4/28/2025 at 4:45 AM, BruceVilanch said:

My theory is Cook will continue to want more money than Beane is willing to give, he will threaten a holdout, he might miss TC but he would be stupid to holdout through actual games, that would tank his FA value. I believe this will be his last season in Buffalo, which is fine. I'd like to keep him, but he's asking for waaaay too much, Dalvin is giving him stupid advice.

We actually don’t know what he is really asking and what the bills are willing to offer 

 

I think the days of RB missing TC and regular season is over. It ended with the Pittsburgh back and his season with the jets after that was underwhelming. 
 

The bills may be able to move on with Davis and Johnson along with Gore. They are more in trouble if the first two get injured. 
 

cook will be back for his final season and maybe Beane figures out a way to give him a contract.  
 

cook is a difference maker and the team dies require him for his speed and cutbacks 

 

 

[NeverOutNick]

I know we don’t need a RB but I’d 100% bring Chubb in on a cheap contract. Best pure RB in the league a couple years ago prior to the injury and I’m not betting against him 

[C.Biscuit97]

On 4/27/2025 at 6:57 PM, Dave_Bills said:

We have cook for this year. Can always get one next draft. We’ve got a good stable for 2025

If I was Cook’s agent, he’s holding out until a new deal gets reached or he gets traded. This is the most leverage he will ever have in his career. 

22 minutes ago, NeverOutNick said:

I know we don’t need a RB but I’d 100% bring Chubb in on a cheap contract. Best pure RB in the league a couple years ago prior to the injury and I’m not betting against him 

I have to believe he is done. He’s like one of the best dudes as a player and person in the entire league so there’s a reason he’s a FA. He’s a freak but those are some bad injuries. But I would totally be on board if he passed a physical. 

8 hours ago, wppete said:

Cook is playing for the Bills this year he doesn’t have an option and if he is smart he should take a contract thats good for him and the team. 
 

On the roster we have 5 good RBs

 

Cook

Davis

Johnson

Evans

Gore Jr. 

I think good is used loosely here. Da is is a great dude but he had a lot of college carries and is close to the same age as Cook. 
 

johnson is a 3rd down back and has never had more than 300 yards rushing in a season. 
 

the other guys haven’t proven a thing.