After a productive five-year collegiate career, running back Re’Mahn (Ray) Davis enters the NFL with relatively low expectations in his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills. He is projected to be the backup to leading returning rusher James Cook.
But could Davis still provide some value for fantasy managers? Here’s the fantasy outlook for Davis entering the 2024 season.
Ray Davis’ Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
In experience only, Davis should be considered a rookie. Because in age, he is just two months younger than Cook (both will turn 25 during the season).
After playing two seasons at both Temple and Vanderbilt, Davis spent his final season in 2023 at Kentucky, where he put up the best numbers of his college career. Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on nearly six yards a carry (5.9) and scored 14 rushing touchdowns.
He added seven touchdown receptions to give him an SEC-best 21 combined touchdowns in 2023. This followed a 2022 season at Vanderbilt when he also rushed for better than 1,000 yards (1,042).
Along with being a solid running back carrying the ball, Davis proved to be an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He caught 52 passes over his final two seasons in college, including 33 last season. For his collegiate career, Davis had 94 receptions in 44 games.
Davis was a big-game player last season, with his best game coming against Florida when he rushed for 280 yards and four combined touchdowns. Even in games in which he was held in check on the ground, such as his meeting with Alabama (26 yards on 12 carries), Davis still found a way to be productive with a pair of rushing touchdowns.
And in the Wildcats’ rivalry game against Louisville, Davis had three total touchdowns (two receiving) and 127 total yards in the win over the Cardinals.
Is Ray Davis a Good Fantasy Pick?
Davis enters this season ranked No. 52 in the Pro Football Network’s 2024 Fantasy Running Back Rankings.
Although they are similar in size — Cook is 5’11”, Davis is 5’9″ — there doesn’t appear to be any scenario, barring injury, in which Cook will split more than just a few carries with Davis.
Now, there is the possibility that in short-yardage or goal-line situations perhaps Davis could get a chance to shine. After all, Cook managed just two rushing touchdowns in 237 rush attempts last season.
The problem is that Buffalo’s quarterback, Josh Allen, is one of the best, if not the best, runner among quarterbacks in the NFL. Last season, along with 29 touchdown passes, Allen had 15 rushing touchdowns.
What this all means is there probably won’t be many opportunities for Davis to make an impact out of the backfield, at least not this season.
A good training camp and preseason should get Davis the backup role ahead of veteran Ty Johnson. But because of the running skills of both Cook and Allen, Davis should probably not be considered too much by fantasy managers when draft time comes.
A late-round pick, at best.