Desmond Reid

Reid signed as an UDFA and faces steep odds to make the 53-man roster behind James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis, and Frank Gore Jr. His most realistic early path is via special teams and practice squad.

James Cook led the NFL in rushing with 1,621 yards in 2025 and is entrenched as the Bills' workhorse. Ty Johnson already handles the passing-down/change-of-pace role Reid projects into, leaving scarce offensive snaps available.

At 5'8" and 175 lbs, Reid lacks the frame for 3-down workloads or goal-line duty. His ceiling is structurally capped as a PPR specialist and satellite back rather than a lead back at any point in his career.

A senior-year ankle injury cost him five games at Pitt and contributed to his going undrafted; durability questions compound the size concerns for a small-framed back.

Reid posted 579 receiving yards in 2024 and 317 in 2025 at Pitt, demonstrating elite pass-catching chops for the position. Josh Allen's pass-heavy Bills offense is an ideal landing spot for a Darren Sproles-type satellite back to generate high-value PPR touches.

Reid's big-play explosiveness as a punt returner — including an 88-yard TD at Pitt — gives him a non-RB path onto the active roster. Special teams reps keep him visible to coaches and can accelerate offensive role development.

Landing in a Josh Allen-led, high-scoring offense means any carved-out role (especially pass-catching) carries outsized fantasy upside relative to most UDFA backfields.

Young RB (21) — peak value years ahead

Born July 29, 2004, Reid is only 21 entering the NFL — among the youngest RBs in the 2026 class. If he earns a roster spot and develops, he has an unusually long runway before hitting the typical RB aging cliff.