Bills unsung hero finally gets his flowers, and the league better start paying attention to one of the best players at his position
Take a bow, Reggie Gilliam. He’s one of the best fullbacks in all of football.
The Buffalo Bills’ season may be over, but that doesn’t mean we can’t gush about one of the most underrated players not only on the team, but across the entire NFL.
Buffalo led the league in rushing yards per game, but that doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of running back James Cook, quarterback Josh Allen, or even the offensive line. It was an entire team effort, including the wide receivers, who bought into blocking.
One name in particular deserves his flowers for what he accomplished in the 2025 season, and it’s about time he gets the respect he deserves. Fullback Reggie Gilliam was one of the Bills’ unsung heroes, and he’s finally getting recognition.
NFL.com released an article talking about one overlooked or surprise contributor from each AFC team, with Kevin Patra nailing it with his decision to include Gilliam. Gilliam was snubbed from the Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams, making him generally overlooked from a league-wide perspective.
“The Bills upped Gilliam’s usage significantly in 2025. He took 224 snaps, 52 more than in any of his previous five seasons in Buffalo, and it paid off — the steamrolling fullback helped open holes for the NFL’s leading rusher, James Cook, and pushed Josh Allen for numerous first downs. Gilliam was the best blocking fullback in the NFL on both run and pass plays, mashing open holes on the second level, and he didn’t allow a pressure in the passing game, per PFF. Not taking anything away from Patrick Ricard, but Gilliam should have represented the AFC in the Pro Bowl.” — Kevin Patra.
Again, Gilliam allowed no pressures and was the best blocking fullback in the NFL in the pass and run games. The best in the entire league, yet he hasn’t even come close to becoming a household name or one that the national media talking heads take time discussing.
Reggie Gilliam deserved more respect for what he accomplished in 2025
According to SumerSports, Gilliam has been exceptional long before 2025. Since 2022, he has 46 out of 47 pass-blocking snaps without allowing a single pressure. While the sample size is small, it’s elite production from the fullback.
He had 207 total blocking snaps in 2025, which showed a clear trust from the coaching staff to utilize him more in certain packages. He’s also proven capable of contributing to the offense beyond blocking. Throughout his career, he has 12 receptions on 16 targets for 115 receiving yards, while adding five rushing attempts for 11 yards and even has a touchdown to boot.
In 2025, he was on the field for more than half of the team’s goal-line touchdowns and blocked for 13 rushing scores, a career high that more than doubled his previous three seasons combined.
The data shows that Gilliam’s value isn’t just about volume; it’s about when and how he’s used. The Bills deploy him in their highest-leverage situations, and his presence correlates with scoring success.
Gilliam isn’t flashy, he’s not filling up the stat sheet, and he won’t dominate highlight reels you see on social media, but he embodies exactly what made the Bills so dangerous in 2025.
When Buffalo needed yards, protection, or a path to the end zone, the “sledge” was on the field doing the dirty work that wins games. The league may continue to overlook him, but inside One Bills Drive, it’s clear: Gilliam isn’t just a role player; he’s a quiet cornerstone of what makes the offense hum.
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