Buffalo Bills News

Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (back) did not practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 3's game against the Washington Commanders. Knox missed practice on Wednesday with a back injury. A return to a limited practice on Thursday would put him on track to face the Commanders in Week 3. Thursday's practice report will provide more information. numberFire's models project Knox for 2.9 receptions, 30.0 yards, 0.27 touchdowns, and 6.1 FanDuel points in Week 3. His salary is $5,300.

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he was "trying to force the ball" in Monday night's 22-16, Week 1 overtime loss to the New York Jets. Allen completed 29 of 41 passes for 236 yards, 1 touchdown, and 3 interceptions in the season-opening loss. He also rushed 6 times for 36 yards and lost a fumble. "I hurt our team tonight. I cost our team tonight," Allen said. "It feels eerily similar to last year, and I hate that it's the same. I do." The four turnovers matched Allen's career-high and he leads the NFL with 84 turnovers since the Bills took him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2018. Despite the loss and excessive turnovers, Allen remains an elite fantasy option for Week 2 at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. Allen has a $9,200 salary and is numberFire's top-projected player in Week 2, at 24.75 FanDuel points. Our models have him pegged for 271.5 passing yards, 2.01 touchdowns, 0.9 interceptions, plus 40.6 rushing yards and 0.52 scores. The Raiders’ pass defense is 23rd through one game, based on numberFire’s opponent-adjusted NEP model.

Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes that second-year back James Cook has been the "unquestioned top running back" in training camp for the Buffalo Bills this summer. Cook looks relatively cemented into a significant workload for the upcoming season, as Buscaglia notes that teammates Damien Harris and Latavius Murray have been competing for a backup role behind him. Cook does offer three-down upside due to his pass-catching prowess, but his slighter frame could lead the team to limiting his actual on-field reps during the year. He was pulled from this weekend's preseason game after a quick, effective first quarter. Cook has the potential to be the lead back on a top five NFL offense, and that's a recipe for success in fantasy football. He is numberFire's RB28 heading into the season due to quarterback Josh Allen's red-zone dominance for the Bills, but has immense upside if things align correctly for him.

According to offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook provides versatility and "three-down back" potential. After producing 110 touches including 21 receptions during his rookie season, Cook could in line for a lead role with the ability to produce on the ground and in the pass game. According to Fantasy Football Calculator in 12-team point per reception redraft leagues, the Bills' second-year back currently profiles as a RB2 with an average draft position in the seventh round. Per numberFire's models, Cook is currently ranked as our RB30 with projections including 151.9 rushing attempts for 701.6 yards and 4.2 touchdowns and 34.5 receptions for 251.8 yards and 1.9 touchdowns.

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Gabriel Davis (ankle) "feels great" after playing through an ankle injury during the 2022 season. Heading into his fourth NFL season, Davis is ready to play at full health after recovering from a bothersome ankle injury. "Hurting my ankle, the way I did, it was probably the worst one out of all of them just because I didn't even miss a game," said the Bills' wideout when asked about last season. "But for me, I just felt like I lost a step. Really couldn't do the things that I wanted to do that I was doing early that camp and then the first game or in practice and stuff. I feel great now. Ankle's 100%, body feels great. So, everything's on the up and up now." When healthy, Davis profiles as a potential WR2 with his ability to stretch the field vertically and create big plays. Per numberFire's models, the 24-year old is our WR37 with projections including 53.7 receptions for 834.5 yards and 5.5 touchdowns on 97.6 targets.

Buffalo Bills running back Damien Harris is taking reps behind James Cook and ahead of Latavius Murray to begin training camp. Cook is clearly first on the Bills' running back depth chart, but Harris is currently ahead of Murray in the competition to be the second option. Harris (26) is seven years younger than Murray (33) and he received more guaranteed money in free agency this offseason, so the job appears to be his to lose. Harris and Murray are both limited as pass-catchers, so it remains to be seen who will replace Nyheim Hines as the Bills' primary receiving back. Josh Allen indicated that wide receiver Deonte Harty could potentially help fill that role. The Bills also added Darrynton Evans to their backfield on Tuesday. numberFire's models project Cook for 152.0 carries and 701.6 rushing yards in 2023, plus 34.5 receptions (48.8 targets) and 252.3 receiving yards, with 6.06 total touchdowns. Harris is projected for 131.9 carries for 601.1 yards and 4.49 touchdowns, with just 10.9 catches on 15.3 targets. Murray is forecasted for only 20.1 rush attempts and 6.8 receptions.