Buffalo Bills' 5 Best Options at Running Back Heading into 2015 NFL Season

It's looking more and more each day like C.J. Spiller will leave the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Assuming Spiller jets, the Bills will need another running back. So who's it gonna be? 

On Friday, WGR 550's Joe Buscaglia told Bleacher Report it's a "safe bet" Spiller's days in Buffalo are done. And on Monday, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweeted rumors of Spiller going to the New York Jets, echoing previous reports from Kristian Dyer of Metro and Rich Cimini of ESPN New York that Gang Green is going to pursue him.

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Would be shocked if Percy Harvin agreed to any reduced deal w/NYJ. Expect NE among those interested. And I keep hearing Spiller to Jets

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 24, 2015"

Buffalo will return Fred Jackson, the just-turned-34-year-old Bills lifer who rushed for 525 yards and notched a career-high 501 receiving yards this past season. He'll be joined by Anthony "Boobie" Dixon and Bryce Brown, the two of whom stepped in nicely when Spiller and Jackson suffered midseason injuries but are not No. 1 backs.

Luckily for general manager Doug Whaley, the 2015 draft class is loaded at the running back position in a way we haven't seen since 2008.

The Bills are the lone NFL team without a first-round pick on April 30—they traded that to the Cleveland Browns last year so that they could draft receiver Sammy Watkins—but there will be plenty of running back options in the second round when Buffalo picks No. 50 overall, as well as beyond that in the third and fourth rounds.

That's not to mention the potential ball-carriers to be had via free agency—Frank Gore, perhaps?

In ranking the Bills' five best options to fill the (probable) void left by Spiller, the criteria is a combination of value and feasibility. Todd Gurley of Georgia and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin, for example, are likely to be selected in the first round if not early in the second, so they don't make the cut.

But others, such as Jay Ajayi of Boise State and Duke Johnson of Miami, may be there for the Bills to pluck.

Running backs are devalued these days in the NFL—there hasn't been one drafted in the first round since 2012—and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Bills go a different route, such as tight end, with their second-round pick. Still, to contend in 2015, they'll need someone to complement Jackson in the backfield.

What follows are their top five options, with an honorable mention here for Tevin Coleman of Indiana. Coleman belongs in that esteemed second tier of 2015 running backs, and he could certainly go in the second round along with the other guys on this list.

No. 5: T.J. Yeldon

Yeldon has the size and experience in Alabama's pro-style offense to run the ball inside. He also has the quickness and elusiveness to make big plays in the open field.

One concerning sign is that his production dipped his senior year, as he ran for 900 yards and four touchdowns after rushing for 1,112 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior.

Yeldon has struggled somewhat with ball security and pass protection, and he's not going to bowl over linebackers. Nonetheless, some scouts believe he's underrated.

"[Yeldon is] better than he gets credit for," said one AFC scout who compared him to former Carolina Panthers back DeAngelo Williams, per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com. "He's a good back, good vision, balanced runner, and better burst than overall speed."

While some believe Yeldon lacks the explosiveness to be a full-time NFL starter, he could certainly find a role in the Bills' offense alongside Jackson, Dixon and Brown. He's not the best option at No. 50, but if he hangs around longer, he could be a value pick.  

No. 4: Ameer Abdullah

Abdullah became the first player in University of Nebraska history to post three seasons of 1,000 yards rushing. Last month, he took offensive MVP honors at the Senior Bowl.  

He has tremendous burst, great hands as a receiver and the potential to serve as a kick returner, as well. But it's not just his on-field performance that has scouts gushing. They're also enamored with his character.

"He has the highest overall character grade I've ever given to a prospect," one scout told NFL.com.

Among the concerns: Abdullah is just 5'9", which limits him somewhat in pass protection, and he fumbled 13 times in his four years with the Cornhuskers.

He also ran a sub-par 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash at the combine—although the tape suggests his speed is more than sufficient.

Some rate Abdullah as the third-best running back in the draft behind Gurley and Gordon, and he could pair up nicely with Jackson. Still, the Bills may want more of a ground-and-pound type to fit into the offense of new coordinator Greg Roman.

No. 3: Duke Johnson

Duke Johnson's pro comparison at NFL.com? That's right: C.J. Spiller.

Johnson is Miami's all-time leading rusher. He ran wild for 1,652 yards last year in his third and final collegiate season while amassing 421 receiving yards.

There are some questions regarding his durability after he suffered injuries in each of the past two seasons—but that could play to the Bills' advantage if he falls to the third round.

Cian Fahey of B/R argues he could be the best value pick in the entire draft:  

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"Johnson has a natural ability to be a disciplined runner. He doesn't force cutback plays, but he is still aggressive in pursuit of them when the play calls for it. Because of that, he was regularly able to exploit space when his offensive line effectively executed on zone runs.

....

"As a second- or third-round pick, Johnson offers plenty of value to his potential suitors. He can immediately become a key contributor on a competitive team, or he can act as a foundation piece for an offense that is rebuilding."

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Johnson is 5'9" and 207 pounds of pure explosiveness. He's a patient runner and a great dual-threat weapon, though whether he can be counted upon in pass protection remains to be seen.

The Bills won't go wrong with Duke.

No. 2: Frank Gore

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

The Bills could very well take care of their ball-carrying needs via the draft alone. They could also sign Frank Gore in free agency.

Gore has played under new Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman for each of the past four seasons in San Francisco, and he continues to produce into his early 30s. He eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing for the fourth straight year in 2014 and has done so in eight of the last nine seasons.

There are two concerns: first, that Gore turns 32 in May and would create an old-timers backfield (by NFL standards) along with Fred Jackson; and second, that he's apparently seeking $4 million in 2015, according to La Canfora.   

But the Bills have some money to spend. If the 49ers let Gore go, signing him would not preclude Buffalo from also drafting another back in the middle rounds.

Would it be a risk? Sure. But the experience of Gore and Jackson coupled with the youth and versatility of Dixon, Brown and a promising young draftee could make for a mean Bills backfield—and could help the team compensate for an inevitable deficiency at the quarterback position. 

No. 1: Jay Ajayi

Jay Ajayi can do it all. He's physical, he's shifty, he can pass block and he can catch. If he's is still available at No. 50, the Bills should hop aboard the J-Train.

Last season at Boise State, Ajayi made history: 

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#BoiseState RB Jay Ajayi is the 1st player in *FBS HISTORY* w/ 1,800+ rushing yds & 500+ receiving yds in a season. pic.twitter.com/SEQRaJZaqI

— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) January 1, 2015"

He also wowed scouts at the Combine, per Jay Tust of KTVB:

"Ajayi ranked in the top five among running backs in the 20-yard shuttle, vertical jump and the broad jump," Tust wrote. "In addition, Ajayi recorded the fourth fastest 60-yard shuttle of the combine, regardless of position."

One scout told NFL.com: "Of all the backs in this draft, Ajayi might be my favorite because he can do everything you want from a back and you don't have to find a complementary back to pick up the slack for him in any one area."

Whereas Yeldon, Abdullah and Johnson have holes in their games that would need to be filled by Jackson and others, Ajayi could seize the No. 1 running back job for the Bills and truly make it his own—not just in 2015, but for years to come.

For what it's worth, B/R's Matt Miller has Ajayi going to Buffalo in his latest mock draft.