Is Bryce Brown the future of the Buffalo Bills’ backfield?
The Buffalo Bills have two excellent running backs in C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson, a mix of lightning and thunder. So why did they trade for Bryce Brown during the NFL Draft? The answer seems to be two-fold.
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First, the Bills could use an emergency plan for the upcoming season. Fred Jackson came off arguably his best season, but he is still 33-years-old. Running backs have never been like fine wine — unfortunately, they’re like the cheap stuff. Drink it all up till it’s gone. Typically, that doesn’t take very long. It will be great news if Jackson proves my wine analogy false, but it’s more likely that he won’t. C.J. Spiller has a history of injury woes.
Most likely, Brown will be expected to have a reserve role with the Bills that is similar to what he did for the Eagles. He was incredibly productive when called upon. While the Bills would never hope for such a moment to arise, it’s the NFL, and I’d bet it will.
Second, neither Spiller nor Jackson are under contract for 2015. He will have an immediate impact stabilizing what could very well be an inconsistent backfield. Then, he could take over the backfield. He has shown bursts where he could absolutely be a no. 1 running back in the NFL. With a year to get acquainted with the Bills’ system, he could be ready to be the guy in 2015.
Plus, when the Bills renegotiate with C.J. Spiller, they want a bit of leverage to talk Spiller’s agent down. That won’t hurt either.