Mike Tolbert, Buffalo Bills Reportedly Agree to 1-Year Contract

The Buffalo Bills reportedly added physicality to their backfield Wednesday by agreeing with fullback Mike Tolbert on a new deal.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan (h/t ESPN's Mike Rodak) first reported Tolbert's agreement with the Bills. Raanan added Tolbert will be a running back for the team. 

Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported Tolbert's deal is for one year at $1 million.

This comes after the Carolina Panthers released him in February following five seasons that included a Super Bowl and three playoff appearances.

Tolbert is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time member of the All-Pro First Team and made his recent living off short-yardage situations and blocking for others like running back Jonathan Stewart. Kevin Patra of NFL.com called the Coastal Carolina product a “bulldozer” in a testament to the physical nature of his game.

However, Tolbert's production dropped in 2016 with just 114 rushing yards, 72 receiving yards and one total touchdown. He was far from the player who ran for 11 touchdowns in 2010 as a member of the San Diego Chargers or the one who provided a change of pace for the Super Bowl-bound Panthers in 2015 with three touchdown catches.

Despite the downturn last season, Tolbert still has an impressive track record as both a runner and receiver to fall back on heading into the 2017 campaign with his new team:

Season	Team	Games	Rushing Yards	Rushing TDs	Receiving Yards	TD Catches
2008	San Diego Chargers	13	37	0	171	1
2009	San Diego Chargers	16	148	1	192	3
2010	San Diego Chargers	15	735	11	216	0
2011	San Diego Chargers	15	490	8	433	2
2012	Carolina Panthers	16	183	7	268	0
2013	Carolina Panthers	16	361	5	184	2
2014	Carolina Panthers	8	78	0	93	0
2015	Carolina Panthers	16	256	1	154	3
2016	Carolina Panthers	16	114	0	72	1

The fullback spot is no longer a position of emphasis in today's NFL, but Tolbert can provide veteran leadership and a playoff-tested resume for Buffalo. What's more, he can pick up critical short-yardage situations, be it on third downs or at the goal line, and help clear the way for other runners in bigger packages.

Buffalo has been a run-heavy team since Tyrod Taylor took over as starting quarterback in 2015. Only the Dallas Cowboys had more rushing attempts than the Bills last season, so having insurance behind LeSean McCoy is essential for the offense to succeed. 

While Tolbert's days as a Pro Bowl weapon are likely in the past, he can still offer some value for the Bills in their postseason pursuit in 2017.