Buffalo Bills Trading For This Star Running Back?

The Buffalo Bills season is about to kick off with training camp. Might they be adding a big-name running back before it begins?

Buffalo Bills Running Back

It's been the buzz around the team all offseason: the Bills want a big-time running back. Mind you, the Bills themselves haven't said that and have been very active in the running back market going into the 2023 season.

They signed Damien Harris, who the Bills Mafia knows well from his time with the New England Patriots. He's a bruising, short-yardage yet versatile back who is expected to get a lot of carries this season. The team has James Cook coming off a good rookie year where he showed how dynamic he can be running and catching. He is expected to play a huge role in the offense. They signed Latavius Murray who is coming off a good season in Denver but is in the twilight of his career at 33 years old. Nyheim Hines is also on the roster but is now out for the season with a leg injury.

Despite their moves and signings, many analysts predicted the Bills would take a running back in the first round of this year's Draft. However, they drafted Tight End Dalton Kincaid with their first pick and did not draft a running back. Insiders have also linked them to trades. The Titans' Derrick Henry, the Giants' Saquan Barkley, and now free agent Dalvin Cook (James Cook's brother) have all been linked, one way or another, to the Bills. While Cook remains on the free agent market, it doesn't appear he is coming to Buffalo. Henry will likely remain with the Titans. Barkley and the Giants have not agreed to a contract extension, but the price tag would be hefty to bring him to Buffalo.

Buffalo Bills Trading For This Star Running Back?

Time will tell what happens to Henry, Barkley, Cook, and other backs around the league who are on the trading block or free agents. One publication has the Bills going a totally different route. According to BUFFALO BILLS TV NEWS on YouTube via Newsbreak, the team is trading for Green Bay Packers star running back AJ Dillon.

Dillon is 25 years old, and in the final year of his rookie deal with a cap hit of $1,681,855 according to Spotrac. He would be able to fit into the Bills' salary cap, and perhaps an extension could be reached. Because the running back market is so volatile, it's hard to say what an extension would look like for Dillon. Still, it probably wouldn't be what a back like Barkley or Henry would be looking for. He has not rushed for 1,000 yards, though part of that is because he splits time with Aaron Jones. His role is to be a short yard, thumping back. Something the Bills want.

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Are the Bills Actually Interested in AJ Dillon?

First of all, BUFFALO BILLS TV NEWS isn't exactly a well-known source for real Bills news. That's not to say they are wrong or will be wrong, but you have to consider the source which is questionable.

Of course, the Bills would be interested in a player like Dillon just like any team looking for a powerful back would be. I'm skeptical though because the entire reason they brought in Damien Harris was to serve in this role. Harris is just a year older than Dillon at 26 years old. He has comparable rushing stats and has done it with lesser quarterback play than Dillon, who had Aaron Rodgers up until this coming season.

Barring an injury or one of the players on the roster not panning out, I just don't see the Bills giving up assets for another bruising running back. I reserve the right to be completely wrong, as this is just my opinion.

What do you think?