A 5’11, 227-pound running back would be a welcome addition to the Bills’ offensive backfield
Yesterday was the final day for NFL teams to conduct pre-draft top-30 visits with prospects who will be available in next week’s NFL Draft. With time ticking away ahead of the Buffalo Bills’ opportunity to further infuse their roster with young talent, each visit carries plenty of importance.
Per an unnamed source reported by Ryan Talbot, the Bills have met with running back Audric Estimé as part of their top-30 slate of meetings.
Per source, Notre Dame RB Audric Estime made a 30-visit with the #Bills today.
— Ryan Talbot (@RyanTalbotBills) April 17, 2024
Estime would be a perfect complement to James Cook.
Today is the final day that teams can hold 30-visits.#BillsMafia #Irish pic.twitter.com/LQfPBYAxYB
Estimé, out of Nyack, NY, has had One Bills Drive’s collective eye for some time — with reports out of the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine stating that Buffalo had an official visit with the Notre Dame running back.
Measuring in at 5’11” and 221 pounds, Estimé currently projects as a Day 3 pick in this year’s draft. His combine tests further illustrate a physical runner with the potential to wear down a defense. Estimé collected times of 4.71 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 1.58-second 10-yard split — adding a 38” vertical jump, 10’5” broad jump, and 23 reps on the bench press.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein gives Estimé the comparison of former NFL running back Jamaal Williams, which feels spot on from a cursory glance.
Estimé’s final season with the Fighting Irish saw him carry the football 210 times for 1,341 yards with an eye-opening 18 touchdowns. He added 17 catches for 142 yards to give the Irish a total of 1,483 scrimmage yards last season. In three campaigns at Notre Dame, Estimé totaled 373 carries for 2,321 yards and 29 touchdowns; adding 26 receptions for 277 yards and one touchdown.
(stats courtesy of Sports Reference)
Audric Estimé earned Second-Team Associated Press All-American for his 2023 season. His 18 rushing touchdowns set a new single-season record at Notre Dame, and allowed him to finish tied for third in the FBS.
At first glance it may appear as though the Bills are set at running back, with James Cook, Ty Johnson, and Darrynton Evans signed for the 2024 season. But like every NFL team, One Bills Drive is constantly on the lookout to add talent at every position.
Estimé would bring a dimension to Buffalo’s running attack they haven’t seen in some time, given his stout frame and bull-in-a-china-shop approach to running. While a 4.7 40 doesn’t light the world on fire, Estimé plays faster than his timed speed — and he possesses enough break-away speed to make a defense think twice about under-committing to the tackle.
Estimé should likely make a living as an inside, North-focused runner, and he’s shown capable of providing adequate support in pass protection to this point. That latter point will need additional work as Estimé faces a much more difficult degree of opponent across the line from him.
Audric Estimé would fit well with the Buffalo Bills, and should he be available, Estimé’s someone to keep in mind when the team enters Day 3 of next week’s draft.