Ray

Davis

Davis was technically the Bills’ backup running back, handling the second-most carries and gaining 275 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry over the season. However, Ty Johnson was used far more often in the red zone and had 24 catches to Davis’ 10. Davis did emerge as an elite kick returner, leading the NFL in yards per return at 30.4. That just won’t provide much fantasy value heading into next season.

Johnson got in a limited session on Thursday, which is very similar to his Friday limited last week after two DNPs that also got him to the questionable line. Our guess is that he’s on the pessimistic side of questionable. If Johnson doesn’t play, Ray Davis will be a threat for a higher snap count than usual again and be a potential DFS play for the Divisional Round slate.

Davis had 174 all-purpose yards on Sunday, while the Jets’ entire team had just 122 yards against the Bills’ backup defense. Davis had a near split in carries with Ty Johnson today, but Davis was the far more effective back, ripping off some huge runs through the middle. Davis hasn’t had as big of a role this season with James Cook leading the NFL in rushing yards and Ty Johnson having a larger third-down role; however, Davis has looked good when given a chance. He’s also been one of the best kick returners in the NFL and remains a solid backup to Cook.

Davis had, this is not a joke, -2 total yards rushing on two carries combined in the four weeks before this, so this effort came out of nowhere. Davis got his chance in the first quarter when James Cook was forced off the field due to an issue with his helmet. Davis proceeded to break off two rushes for 30 yards, which clearly prompted the Bills to give him more work on a day when they were gashing the Steelers on the ground. We would not anticipate this leading to an expanded role for the second-year back.

He’s officially only a limited participant, but his return puts him on track to play in Week 10 against the Dolphins, whose run defense is among the league’s worst. Backup RBs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson are still worth stashing on benches, just in case Cook’s injury flares up, but at this time, neither one appears to be a locked-in FLEX-worthy starter this week.

Davis has 18 carries in two games against the Bills and Panthers in which Buffalo has generated huge leads and four carries in his other five games combined. He shouldn’t be in consideration for a standalone FLEX start, but can be held as a hedge against a James Cook injury in deeper leagues.

Sounds like a 24-hour bug. Davis won’t hold a standalone-worthy role in Week 9 against the Chiefs, but has some fantasy upside in the event that James Cook misses time.

Davis still has a good chance to suit up in Week 9 against the Chiefs if he can get in a limited practice on Thursday and Friday. Davis is purely a contingency fantasy option behind James Cook for now. In Week 8, Davis had nine rushes for 16 yards in garbage time against the Panthers.

He did not receive a carry behind James Cook but managed to score from 16 yards out on the team’s first possession of the second half, playing limited snaps the rest of the game. Davis would likely need an injury to Cook to return any meaningful fantasy upside .

With Ray Davis off to a poor start, Johnson was the Bills’ No. 2 running back this evening, out-touching Davis 4-0. Pro Football Focus charted Johnson with a 15-4 snaps advantage. Noteworthy for the Bills in “real life,” but still inconsequential in fantasy. Neither back is going to carve out standalone fantasy value behind James Cook, while a committee would form were Cook to go down with injury. This could also just be a one-week aberration. For now, Cook’s insurance backs can be ignored in re-draft leagues.