Buffalo Bills sign Pitt standout Desmond Reid as an undrafted free agent

After Pitt senior running back Desmond Reid did not hear his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the Buffalo Bills made a call to sign the 2024 AP second-team All-American all-purpose back.

According to official NFL combine measurements, Reids stands at 5-foot-6 and weighs 174 pounds. His arms measure in at 28 ⅛ inches and his hands are 8 ¼ inches.

Hailing from Miami Gardens, Florida, Reid was one of the most productive running backs in the country his junior year at the University of Pittsburgh. He rushed for 966 yards and five touchdowns on 184 carries, while adding 579 yards and four touchdown catches on only 52 receptions.

He was also excellent in punt returns, too, with two touchdowns on 18 career punt returns. He did not fumble once in his college career.

Reid has a major strength in his ability to change direction quickly as a runner, receiver and punt returner. He has the speed and agility to evade the tackles of opposing linebackers and the intelligence to “manipulate defenders” on pitch plays.

However, this most recent season, Reid missed significant time due to a nagging ankle injury. He accumulated only 278 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 60 carries and added 317 yards and two touchdown receptions on 23 catches.

Something that may instill promise in NFL front offices is Reid’s consistent production through his four years of college.

In his first year at Western Carolina, Reid won the SoCon Freshman of the Year by leading his team with 826 rushing yards on 119 carries, averaging 10.1 yards per reception and scoring 5 total touchdowns. He improved his second season by making First-team All-Southern Conference with 897 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 131 carries.

Reid transferred to Pitt heading into the 2024-25 season with Western Carolina offensive coordinator Kade Bell, whose offense helped Reid achieve a career-best season. He ranked ninth in FBS with 1,704 all-purpose yards.

Reid joins the Bills at a position with lots of competition. Currently at running back, the Buffalo Bills roster James Cook, Ty Johnson, Ray Davis and Frank Gore Jr. In 2025, Cook led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,621 yards.