The Buffalo Bills seem to have an established pecking-order at the running back position. LeSean McCoy will reprise his role as the workhorse, dominating carries and snaps as he continues to drive the Bills’ offense. Veteran Chris Ivory signed a two-year deal this offseason, and he will serve as the thunder to McCoy’s lightning, hopefully doing so more successfully than Mike Tolbert.
After the top two, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will round out the depth chart. In our latest installment of “90 players in 90 days,” we look at a veteran scat back who adds some third-down prowess to the Bills’ backfield.
Name: Travaris Cadet
Number: 39
Position: RB
Height/Weight: 6’1” 210 lbs.
Age: 29
Experience: 7
College: Appalachian State
Draft: Entered the league as an undrafted free agent following the 2012 NFL Draft, signing with the New Orleans Saints
Financial situation (per Spotrac): Cadet signed a one-year deal which will pay him $880,000 in 2018. Thanks to the veteran’s minimum exception, he will only carry a cap hit of $720,000 this season.
2017 Recap: Cadet began the season with the New York Jets, logging 29 scrimmage yards on 4 touches (3 receptions for 26 yards; 1 carry for 3 yards). The Jets released him on October 24, and he signed with Buffalo on November 4. He appeared in 6 games with the Bills, setting single-season career highs in carries (22) and rushing yards (93). He also caught 13 passes for 93 yards. A Week 16 ankle dislocation landed him on injured reserve to finish the season.
Positional outlook: Cadet will battle Taiwan Jones, Marcus Murphy, and Keith Ford for the final spot or two on the 53-man roster. McCoy is a lock barring something crazy (a serious injury or a trade), and it’s highly likely that Ivory will be on the team, as well. Cadet has experience returning kicks, which could endear him to head coach Sean McDermott, as the head man loves players with special teams experience on the bench. His solid performance last season on offense also helps his cause.
2018 Offseason: Little has been written about Cadet, but he has participated in voluntary and mandatory workouts. He has recovered from his ankle injury, and he even caught a touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Josh Allen in minicamp last month.
2018 season outlook: If the Bills decide to keep four running backs on the 53-man roster, Cadet will probably be one of them. If the team only keeps three, then it will come down to Cadet, Murphy, or Jones. In limited action, Cadet played well last season, so it’s easy to guess that he will make the team; however, Murphy also played well last year, has been getting some first-team reps, and he’s younger. The back end of the roster will be full of fierce competitions, and the running back position is no exception.