James Cook

Fantasy Advice

I had Cook low ranked in my early rankings, and now wonder if I have him too high. One Top 10 finish last year (10th), a 15th, and otherwise pretty miserable fantasy performances. I actually thought brother Dalvin would be a good fit here but it doesn't seem like the Bills or their salary cap have any interest. So, big opportunity for Cook. Possible inverse relation between Cook and Dalton Kincaid's success. The better Kincaid does, could lead to less targets for Cook.

Position Rankings

Fantasy News Last 90 Days

James Cook Remains An RB2 Following Career Day

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook excited fantasy managers with a huge 159-yard showing in Week 2's dismantling of the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old next challenges the Washington Commanders, who have held James Conner and Javonte Williams to scoreless 14/62 and 12/44 rushing lines respectively in the opening two games. Washington's defense has proven to be slightly more vulnerable in the backend, if anything, with their ravenous defensive line, so Cook will likely need to break away for some explosive runs on the outside to penetrate this unit. Buffalo has constantly utilized him on counter plays, so expect that usage to persist in an effort to get the dynamic Cook to the second level of the field. Due to zero red-zone touches on the young season, however, the 2022 second-rounder is stuck as a high-floor RB2 in Week 3 and until further notice.

Sep 22 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Misses Practice For Personal Reasons

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook missed Thursday's practice for the birth of his child. Cook should return to practice on Friday and should be available to play in Week 3 on Sunday on the road against the Washington Commanders. The 23-year-old second-year back is Buffalo's unquestioned lead back this year, but he's lost out on goal-line opportunities so far through two weeks to both Damien Harris and Latavius Murray. But otherwise he's looked great for his fantasy managers, carrying the rock 29 times for 169 yards (5.8 yards per carry) while catching eight of 10 targets for an additional 53 yards. Cook will be an RB2 in Week 3 and will be searching for his first touchdown of the year.

Sep 21 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook - Week 2 Outlook for Fantasy Football

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook will aim to lead the way in the backfield in Week 2 versus the Las Vegas Raiders once again after turning 16 touches into 63 yards in Week 1 against the New York Jets. The 23-year-old registered a promising 72.0% opportunity share, but none of his chances came in the red zone. Cook did run the sixth-most routes (24), however, of all Week 1 RBs. The Raiders leaked the third-highest fantasy points per game (25.44) and most receiving yards (826) to enemy RBs in 2022, which could play right into Cook's pass-catching ability. The 2022 second-round pick profiles as a higher-floor RB2 as the lead back in a game Buffalo could experience positive game script. Cook's usage suggests he's missing the ceiling potential of others in his range, though, while seeming to be out on high-value touches at this stage.

Sep 15 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Dominates Touches In Season Opener

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook saw 12 carries for 46 yards with four catches for an additional 17 yards in Monday's 22-16 loss to the New York Jets. The 23-year-old notably slipped away for a 13-yard run to get the Bills closer to the red zone near the first-half's two-minute warning. Cook monopolized base work in the season opener, but he expectedly lost snaps on occasion to Damien Harris when the field shrunk in certain short-yardage/goal-to-go scenarios. Kick returner Deonte Harty unexpectedly sprinkled in early instead of Latavius Murray, who didn't step on the field until the fourth period. All in all, fantasy managers should be pleased with the results as it pertains to Cook's opportunity share. The 2022 second-rounder should be an upside RB2 at home in Week 2 versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Sep 12 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook A Preferable PPR Play In Opener

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook enters Week 1 against the New York Jets as the team's favorite for touches. Though, the 23-year-old rotated with power back Damien Harris in Buffalo's final preseason game, suggesting he could lose work in short-yardage/goal-line situations. Incumbent veteran Latavius Murray could also siphon away early-down touches, perhaps enough to disrupt Cook's fantasy floor. The Jets defense was more susceptible on the ground than through the air, so Cook offers some upside despite a difficult setup for the Bills otherwise. Even so, Gang Green's D was solid across the board against RBs for 17.61 fantasy points per game and the fifth-fewest touchdowns (seven) to the position in 2022. Consider the elusive Cook, 6.3 yards per touch last year, a midrange RB2 on Monday with heavy competition for high-value touches in Harris, Murray, and rushing quarterback Josh Allen.

Sep 9 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Could Become A Star In 2023

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook could become a star in his sophomore season in the Bills' offense. Buffalo was 20th in rushing attempts with 430 last year, but they were second in yards per rush (5.2). The team's RBs were tied for first in yards per rush at 4.9, with Cook averaging 5.7 as a rookie. Cook is also a strong pass-catcher and has drawn rave reviews in training camp this summer. Buffalo took the 23-year-old with the 63rd pick in 2022, so they have incentive to get Cook the ball to let him showcase his big-play ability this season. The Bills also have Damien Harris and veteran Latavius Murray, but if he's healthy, Cook should be pretty close to a three-down back.

Aug 31 · Source via Bills James Cook

Offseason In Review: Buffalo Bills

The preseason favorites last season endured major injury problems and saw a frightening scene alter their playoff route. Rather than earning a first-round bye, the Bills saw the Damar Hamlin sequence lead to a postponement-turned-cancellation and a No. 2 seed. Buffalo’s poor showing as the second seed exposed some foundational cracks, and the team spent […]

Aug 31 · Pro Football Rumors Offseason Bills Josh Allen Kyle Allen Alex Austin Tyler Bass Terrel Bernard Nick Broeker James Cook Dion Dawkins Stefon Diggs Tyrel Dodson Leonard Floyd Poona Ford Damar Hamlin Damien Harris Deonte Harty Nyheim Hines Micah Hyde Taron Johnson DaQuan Jones Dalton Kincaid Shaq Lawson Tyler Matakevich Connor McGovern Matt Milano Von Miller Latavius Murray Ed Oliver Jordan Phillips Jordan Poyer Taylor Rapp Gregory Rousseau Tim Settle Trent Sherfield Justin Shorter Dorian Williams

James Cook The Clear Top Back In Buffalo

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has become the clear top back in Buffalo heading into the 2023 regular season, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Cook, Damien Harris and Latavius Murray are the team's three traditional RBs, with Reggie Gilliam as the fullback and key special-teams player. Harris and Murray will battle for backup repetitions as long as Cook is healthy. Cook has had an excellent training camp and preseason, boosting his fantasy stock as an RB2/3 in fantasy. The 23-year-old's current ADP sits at 71.7, so he could end up being a pretty nice bargain as long as he doesn't lose too many touches throughout the year to Harris and Murray.

Aug 28 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Receives Seven Touches In Preseason Finale

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook logged five carries for 23 yards and two receptions for an additional 14 yards in Saturday's 24-21 preseason win over the Chicago Bears. The 23-year-old saw the bulk of the rushing work on the Bills' initial drive, taking four attempts for 18 yards before ceding a goal-line touch to Damien Harris, who scored from two yards away. It may spell some fear into the fantasy managers of Cook to already see him be vultured out of a potential touchdown, but he remains the favorite for lead-back duties in Buffalo's backfield. The offense should be strong enough this year to support the value of multiple RBs even if the Bills opt for a timeshare also including Latavius Murray, who got the day off Saturday.

Aug 26 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Establishing Himself As Top RB

The Buffalo Bills didn't make a substantial move in free agency or in the draft at the running back position, and it has paid off this summer at training camp with James Cook establishing himself at the team's top back. He has looked explosive carrying the ball and has impressed as a pass-catcher as well. Offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey has even used the term "three-down back" when discussing Cook's potential in 2023. The 23-year-old is primed to have a substantial role in the offense this year and could be more impactful as a pass-catcher than Devin Singletary ever was, giving him clear RB2 upside in fantasy in his second NFL season. Cook had 89 carries for 507 yards (5.7 yards per tote) and two touchdowns while adding 21 catches for 180 yards and another score in 16 regular season games in 2022.

Aug 24 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Has Improved All Around

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said that running back James Cook has shown progression on running strongly and powerfully and has also improved as a blocker during training camp this summer. Cook is already entering the 2023 campaign as the team's lead back, but improving as a blocker could keep him on the field more often in third-down situations. The 23-year-old didn't have much of a role in Buffalo's backfield as a rookie last year, but that will change considerably in his second NFL season. In limited opportunities in 2022, Cook averaged 5.7 yards per carry and is the closest thing the Bills have to a three-down back. He could lose valuable goal-line carries to Damien Harris, though, putting him on the RB2/3 borderline in fantasy.

Aug 23 · Source via Bills James Cook

Latest On Bills' RB Situation

The season-ending injury suffered by Nyheim Hines last month left the Bills shorthanded in the backfield. His absence has led to increased clarity with respect to who should make the team’s 53-man roster, though, along with the pecking order at the position. James Cook was already in line to handle starting duties with Devin Singletary having departed in free agency, […]

Aug 12 · Pro Football Rumors Bills James Cook Damien Harris Nyheim Hines Latavius Murray

James Cook Nets Rushing Score On Saturday

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed four times for 20 yards and a touchdown in Saturday's 23-19 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Bills set themselves up with an instant red zone opportunity after picking off Anthony Richardson on the game's opening drive. It only took Cook two attempts to find the end zone after he scampered for an eight-yard score. The Colts dominated time of possession in the first quarter, limiting Cook to four touches on Buffalo's six offensive plays in the period before the 23-year-old's day ended. Cook enters 2023 as the favorite for lead-back duties in Orchard Park and especially passing-down work with Nyheim Hines (knee) likely lost for the season. Damien Harris (knee) should have an early-down/goal-line role, though, and Latavius Murray could also mix in.

Aug 12 · Source via Bills James Cook

James Cook Continues To Shine At Bills Camp

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is expected to see an increase in his workload during his sophomore campaign, and the former University of Georgia star is showing all the right signs during training camp, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. "Even though Josh Allen struggled down the stretch and had to be frustrated with all the pressure in his face, he still completed 12-of-19 pass attempts through team drills," Buscaglia wrote. "And of those 12 completions, second-year running back James Cook came down with five of them. Cook was easily the Bills' best offensive player (during Tuesday's practice) with the first unit, making good reads on run opportunities and then showing off his speed and hands as an outlet for Allen." Cook is beginning to get more hype as the offseason moves along. In the high-powered Bills' offense, he has at least low-end RB1 upside in PPR formats.

Aug 2 · Source via Bills James Cook

Bills Excited About James Cook's Potential

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey expressed plenty of excitement over running back James Cook. "We're really excited about him and what he can do," Dorsey said. The offensive coordinator spoke on Cook's versatility and said he provides "three-down back" potential. Nyheim Hines (knee) is now out for the season, so the Bills will have to lean even more on Cook in 2023. The 23-year-old will be spelled by former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, but it's clear Cook will be the Bills' go-to guy in the backfield. The former second-rounder averaged a healthy 5.7 yards per carry on his 89 attempts in his rookie season and he has clear RB2 upside in 2023.

Jul 27 · Source via Bills James Cook

Bills RBs Nyheim Hines, Latavius Murray Battling For Roster Spot?

The Bills rushing attack will look a bit different in 2023. Devin Singletary is gone, having left via free agency to the Texans. The front office added former Patriots starter Damien Harris to the mix, although he profiles as more of an RB2 since the organization is ready to go all-in on 2022 second-round pick […]

Jul 11 · Pro Football Rumors Bills James Cook Reggie Gilliam Damien Harris Nyheim Hines Latavius Murray

RB Notes: Hines, Rodriguez, Cook

Here are a few RB-related items from around the league: The Bills have invested heavily at the running back position in recent years, and at present, the club has 2022 second-round pick James Cook and 2023 free agent signee Damien Harris at the top of its depth chart, with newcomer Latavius Murray also in the […]

Jul 2 · Pro Football Rumors Bills Commanders Dalvin Cook James Cook Nyheim Hines Chris Rodriguez

Touchdown Distances
Rushing: 24, 27, 12
Receiving: 4