TreVeyon headlines three running backs that could be available for the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft

With the reports that James Cook and the Buffalo Bills aren't currently heading in the right direction, the next logical conversation turns to how Brandon Beane is going to handle the situation with only two weeks until the 2025 NFL Draft. Will Cook be on the trade block? Will Beane draft a successor in a loaded running back class?

It's worth taking a look at some running backs that could be available, especially in the second round where Beane currently holds two picks. Let's take a look at three of the top options that could be available.

While Ashton Jeanty had a monster of a season and is well deserving of being the first running back selected, with Omarion Hampton often sliding in as the second option, Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson has dominating elite upside as a true three-down, workhorse back capable of doing everything.

We know how much the Bills value blocking. Henderson is a stone wall in pass protection. The 5-foot-10, 202 lbs running back turned in very solid athletic testing at the NFL Scouting Combine after producing 3,761 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns over his college career. He's a special running back that's dominant after contact (4.43 yards after contact per attempt last season) that's an equally potent threat in the passing attack. Quite frankly, he's a better running back prospect coming out college than James Cook was, by a lot. 

Another back worth considering is Iowa's Kaleb Johnson, and there's a lot to like. First off, his frame — Johnson is a big, powerful back at six foot, 225 lbs fresh off a 1,535 rushing yard season with 21 touchdowns on the ground at a 6.4 yards per carry average. He operates best when he can utilize his patience and his ability to get skinny through wide zone runs.

Johnson has exceptional vision and feel. While he isn't a running back that is going to frequently juke defenders out of their socks, he's incredible at utilizing small movements to create space and lanes for himself. He also can operate in a phone booth, which is insane for his size. In a sense, his style as a runner reminds me of Derrick Henry. Terrific in short spaces, a bit of a build-up-speed type runner, and doesn't look fast despite pulling away from defenders. Henry ran a 4.54 40-yard dash. Johnson ran a 4.57. 

Call him slow if you want, but Johnson finished the season with the third-most runs of 15+ yards in all of college football and had the second-highest yards after contact per carry.

At the 2025 NFL Scouting Combins, DJ Giddens checked in just over six feet tall and 212 lbs, which was a great weigh-in for him. Better yet? Beane probably won't have to use a second round pick to get him. 

Honestly, it's entirely possible that Beane saw what Ray Davis did last year and feels very comfortable with him being the contingency plan as the lead back. He showed that he could be the hammer, and when James Cook was hurt, Davis filled in with a monster 97 rushing yard, 55 receiving yard performance against the New York Jets.

If Beane wants a complement to Davis, go get Giddens. He's ridiculously explosive and slippery in the open field, has a 91st percentile speed score and 95th percentile burst score, and averaged 11.7 yards per reception across his three college seasons. He is more than capable of being the lightning to Davis' thunder.