NFL Draft analyst names Bills' Ray Davis as an impact newcomer: Why NFL Mocks agrees

After an offseason that saw them trade away Stefon Diggs and lose Gabriel Davis in free agency, the Buffalo Bills will be looking for a jolt offensively.  In surrounding Josh Allen with new playmakers, including 2024 NFL Draft second-round pick Keon Coleman at wide receiver, the Bills will be relying on another rookie to help move the chains in the name of running back Ray Davis.

The former Kentucky star was already projected by NFL Mocks as a mid-round gem for the Bills due to his powerful running style and ability to move the chains.  Selected in the fourth round, this explosive running back is seen as an instant impact newcomer in 2024 by NFL draft analyst Chad Reuter who has him as one of the running backs in his 2023 All-Rookie Team on offense.

In his article, Reuter writes:

“Davis could be the thunder to James Cook's lightning in the Bills offense, giving Buffalo a more powerful one-two punch than it had with Cook and Latavius Murray in 2023. The rookie will thrive in the red zone, taking some of the pressure off quarterback Josh Allen, who ran for 15 scores last season (Cook had just two rushing touchdowns). Defenses filling the box against Davis on early downs could be surprised by his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.”

What makes Bills rookie running back Ray Davis an impact newcomer on offense

It is that dual-threat ability that will land Davis on the field quite often for the Bills in Year 1.  As a team that did lose that deep threat explosiveness they had with the combination of Diggs and Gabriel Davis, the Bills may rely on being more methodical in their offensive approach.  That means they may depend more on their tight ends and running backs.  With Allen at QB, there’s always a chance of the big play, but the Bills may rely more moving the chains on the ground and with the short passing game. 

That approach will play to the Bills’ strength as Allen has some big targets to get the ball to in tight ends Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox along with Coleman.  He can also dump the ball off to Cook and Davis out of the backfield.  With Cook coming off a breakout season, adding Davis as the thunder to his lightning makes it hard to disagree with Reuter.  Davis is exactly the back the Bills needed and have yearned for, a type of running back they thought they had in former Patriots running back Damien Harris, who retired after just one season in Buffalo.

In all, the 5-foot-8, 211-pound running back has the vision, strength, balance and quickness to cause problems for opposing defenses whether he is running the ball between the tackles or catching the ball.  He’ll be an instant favorite in Buffalo and will quickly establish himself of a touchdown maker, a playmaker Josh Allen will enjoy getting the ball to.  His efficient running stye should translate to the NFL and manifest into one of the reasons the Buffalo Bills can’t be counted out in the AFC East.