There’s no doubt the Buffalo Bills are strong contenders in the AFC for the upcoming season. However, anything short of reaching the Super Bowl will be considered a total failure for Josh Allen and company. The Bills haven’t reached the big game since 1993, and in recent years, they’ve come close but fallen short.
Since his rookie season in 2017, Josh Allen has consistently taken the Bills to the playoffs, but it’s becoming frustrating that they can’t make it further-and the main reason has been Patrick Mahomes, who holds a 4-0 record in January against Allen and the Bills.
To break through, they’ll most likely have to beat Mahomes in January. Now, the Bills have a major issue: James Cook, who reportedly has a broken relationship with the front office after they’ve refused to offer him a new deal. The starting running back is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
A Michigan Wolverines running back could join the Bills in 2026
James Cook is coming off two straight seasons with over 1,000 rushing yards, and in 2024 he scored 16 rushing touchdowns. According to reports, he’s asking for a contract over $15 million per season, which would place him just below Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley in terms of pay.
However, the team appears uninterested. On Sunday, Cook sat out of training camp due to “business reasons,” and if no extension is reached, it’s very likely he’ll leave in 2026, meaning the Bills will need a new running back.
A mock draft by Jacob Infante for Pro Football & Sports Network projects that the Bills will target Michigan running back Justice Haynes with their third-round pick.
“He hasn’t had many chances to show it, but Justice Haynes was a five-star recruit in high school for a reason,” writes Infante. “After transferring from Alabama to Michigan, he’s a patient runner, quick, and has good contact balance.”
Haynes spent a couple of years at Alabama, where he tallied 616 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards, and a total of nine touchdowns in 25 games. In 2025, he transferred to Michigan, where he’s projected to have a breakout season and become a strong candidate for the NFL.
Read the full article here
