Buffalo Bills hosted RB Trey Benson on top-30 pre-draft visit

Benson, boasting enticing potential, projects as a Day 2 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft

Florida State running back Trey Benson made a top-30 pre-draft visit with the Buffalo Bills ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Aaron Wilson. Though the role of a feature back has changed in the NFL, Benson profiles as someone who could thrive in such a situation as a pro.

The Bills currently list three running backs on their roster between James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Darrynton Evans. They’re likely to add at least one more at the position between the draft and training camp.

Benson is projected to be drafted on Day 2, which many will say is too early to pick a running back for Buffalo. However, Benson’s potential is enticing.

Benson brings great, feature-back size to the role of running back — standing 6’ and weighing 216 pounds. His Next Gen Stats total score of 80 placed him first among running backs from the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Benson nailed his combine tests, producing a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, 1.52-second 10-yard split, 33.5” vertical leap, and a 10’2” broad jump.

Though he’s a large dual-threat running back, Benson desires to play elusive football in place of a more smash-mouth approach. The issue is that Benson appears to lack elite vision, and teams may prefer to utilize him as an inside bruiser to wear an opponent down. Operating as a one-cut back, Benson possesses the ability to take it the distance given his explosion.

Benson began his collegiate career as a redshirt with Oregon. He transferred to Florida State for his junior year, and saw his production take off. In two seasons with the Seminoles, Benson had 310 carries for 1,896 yards and 23 touchdowns, adding 33 receptions for 371 yards and one receiving touchdown. He totaled over 1,000 yard from scrimmage in both seasons with Florida State. He finished his collegiate career as a two-time Second-Team All-ACC recipient (2022 and 2023 seasons).

(stats courtesy of Sports Reference)

With the Bills, Benson would eventually provide them with a more diverse, potentially three-down runner who can catch passes in traditional RB looks, while doing just enough damage when staying home to block. Though he only ever carried the ball 20-plus times once in college, it’s possible he can handle a heavier workload with only two years of punishment in college.

Given Trey Benson’s predicted draft path — which states he should hear his name called in Rounds 2 or 3, he might not be a perfect fit for the Buffalo Bills. But should he begin to fall, there’s enough to like in his current game to draft in pursuit of what may end up becoming a fantastic future NFL career.