Ray Davis Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

Production & Fantasy Finishes

Davis’ rookie season turned up 442 yards and three TDs. He caught 17 balls for 189 yards and three additional scores.

Davis finished as the RB35 in total PPR points, dropping to RB43 in points per game.

Usage & Role

James Cook played all but one game, limiting Davis to 113 carries.

In Cook’s lone absence, Davis handled 20 of 24 team RB carries vs. the Jets. The rookie also racked up 15 carries in a meaningless Week 18 game vs. New England.

Davis lost passing down work to Cook and veteran Ty Johnson, who topped him in target share (5% to 3%) and route rate (34% to 17%).

Efficiency Metrics

Among 47 RBs with 90+ carries last year, Davis ranked:

• 21st in Pro Football Focus rushing grade
• 27th in yards after contact per attempt
• 18th in PFF’s Elusive Rating
• 26th in rush yards over expected per attempt

In the same sample, Davis ranked 36th in explosive rush rate and 27th in success rate. So the rookie was OK – albeit unspectacular – from an efficiency standpoint.

Offensive Context

OC Joe Brady orchestrated a run-friendly offense. Buffalo ranked seventh in team rush attempts and fourth in rush rate.

Of course, Davis’ issue was that James Cook stayed healthy for the majority of the season and enjoyed a breakout campaign with 207-1,009-16 rushing.

Josh Allen supplied another barrier to fantasy production. Allen scored on 11 of 31 red zone rush attempts, per Pro Football Reference.

Injury History

Early in the season, Davis played through a minor calf injury. He sustained a concussion in the Wild Card round of the playoffs but returned the following week.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Buffalo returns James Cook for a contract season.

He’s stated a request to make $15 million per year, and there’s at least a small chance of a training camp holdout. But GM Brandon Beane has expressed confidence in Cook being ready to play when the season begins.

Buffalo also retained RB Ty Johnson on a two-year deal. He’ll continue to see change-of-pace work, with an emphasis on two-minute and long-down-and-distance situations.

The Bills passed on drafting a RB in the draft.

Supporting Cast

Most critically, Buffalo returns its starting O-line:

• LT Dion Dawkins
• LG David Edwards
• C Connor McGovern
• RG O’Cyrus Torrence
• RT Spencer Brown

Only Dawkins is older than 28, so expect another strong performance up front.

The supporting cast elsewhere shouldn’t limit the production of this offense.

Allen, fresh off an MVP season, hasn’t missed a game due to injury since 2018. While the team lacks a true No. 1 WR, they’re deep at pass catcher.

Buffalo ranked second in points and tenth in points last season.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

OC Joe Brady retains play-calling duties after his first full season on the job.

We project a similarly favorable pass/run split entering 2025. The ‘24 Bills finished eighth league-wide in rushing rate (42%).