Ray Davis

Davis should already be considered the favorite for the RB2 job with the Bills. James Cook will still lead this backfield and likely gobble up most (possibly all) of the passing game work. Davis has a three-down skillset, but his pass-game chops are not on the same level as Cook's. Expect him to ease the early down load for Cook with the upside to cut into his red zone volume some, but be mindful that the inside the five-yard line pie is smaller in Buffalo compared to some other teams, with Josh Allen always getting a decent share of the work. In his final collegiate season, Davis ranked 27th in yards after contact per attempt and 34th in breakaway rate (per PFF). Davis is a solid handcuff option that could offer flex value in a pinch.

It's been a wild ride for Ray Davis. He started his college football career at Temple and burst onto the scene immediately after posting a 21% dominator rating in 2019 as a freshman. His sophomore campaign was essentially a wash (313 rushing yards and one touchdown) as he entered the transfer portal, limiting him to just four games. At Vanderbilt, he missed the majority of the 2021 season with injury, playing in just three games. But in both shortened seasons, the 5-foot-8 and 211-pound RB was still the most productive back when he was able to play. He came back full force in 2022 with a 26% dominator rating with over 1,000 rushing yards and eight total TDs. With one year left of eligibility, Davis transferred again - this time to Kentucky, where he went nuclear, recording a 40% dominator rating and scoring 21 total TDs (14 rushing, 7 receiving). When you prorate Davis' career college dominator rating - based on the missed time in 2021-2022 - he comes out with a 27% rating. It's very impressive that Davis was able to assert himself at any stop he landed. That won't change at the next level. He's going to be 25 years old but that experience could help him hit the ground running if a team needs an RB in a pinch. He's shown to be more than capable of carrying the load and he's improved every single season in terms of yards per snap. Davis truly saved his best for last in 2023 with career-highs across the board in advanced rushing metrics. Has also averaged over 30 catches per season at two different schools the last two seasons, suggesting he can take on a three-down workload sooner rather than later. He screams like a player who contributes to the backfield in Year 1. He reminded me of other RBs who flashed pass-catching as part of their skill set like Travis Etienne, Jerick McKinnon (before injuries) and Kenneth Gainwell. He was drafted by the Bills in Round 4 and will compete for touches with James Cook. Davis met with the Bills RB coach Kelly Skipper throughout the pre-draft process and likely influenced how the Bills approached their RB room in the draft.