James Cook
24-Year-Old
2023 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
237
YDS
1122
TD
2
YDS
445
TD
4
2024 Projections
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Power and short-yardage running will probably never be part of Cook's skill set, and with that limitation comes a certain cap on his fantasy upside in most formats. If Cook can overrule that limitation then it would have to be by his pass-catching production, which was clearly excellent in 2023. Whereas Cook's rushing production from 2023 can be imitated easily enough, it's not so easy for an offense to find a running back who can turn 54 targets into 44 catches for 445 yards and four touchdowns. This makes Cook more valuable in PPR scoring than standard, especially since Cook isn't guaranteed to improve much on last year's total of just two rushing touchdowns on 237 attempts. Cook's 190-pound frame just isn't built to handle the beating that comes with power or volume running. Then again, Cook's pass-catching production in 2023 was so strong that it suggests the Bills should try to throw to him more in 2024. If Cook could just get to something closer to 60 receptions it would make up for his potential touchdown limitations. The addition of rookie fourth-round pick Ray Davis could introduce a short-yardage nuisance for Cook, but as long as Cook maintains his monopoly on targets the formula from 2023 should remain in place for 2024. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Backfield depth added by Buffalo
Cook is slated to be joined by rookie fourth-rounder Ray Davis in the Bills backfield this coming season, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Cook is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he carried 237 times for 1,122 yards and two TDs to go along with 44 catches for 445 yards and four more scores in 17 games. With veteran backs Latavius Murray and Damien Harris no longer in the mix, Davis should have an opportunity to step into a complementary role behind Cook, while potentially claiming a share of the team's short-yardage work. Also in the team's backfield mix are Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans and reported UDFA signing Frank Gore Jr., though none is likely to prevent Cook from maintaining steady enough volume in his third pro season.
Cook is coming off a 2023 regular season in which he carried 237 times for 1,122 yards and two TDs to go along with 44 catches for 445 yards and four more scores in 17 games. With veteran backs Latavius Murray and Damien Harris no longer in the mix, Davis should have an opportunity to step into a complementary role behind Cook, while potentially claiming a share of the team's short-yardage work. Also in the team's backfield mix are Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans and reported UDFA signing Frank Gore Jr., though none is likely to prevent Cook from maintaining steady enough volume in his third pro season.
NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do James Cook's 2023 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank.
The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
Broken Tackle %
11.8%Positive Run %
88.2%% Yds After Contact
57.1%Avg Yds After Contact
2.7Rushing TD %
0.8%Touches Per Game
16.5% Snaps w/Touch
46.1%Air Yards Per Game
6.9Air Yards Per Snap
0.19% Team Air Yards
2.6%% Team Targets
9.9%Avg Depth of Target
2.2 YdsCatch Rate
81.5%Drop Rate
11.1%Avg Yds After Catch
9.3% Targeted On Route
17.0%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2023
2022
2023 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where James Cook lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
Detailed
Grouped
Side
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2023 James Cook Split Stats
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Measurables Review
View College Player Page
How do James Cook's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"Weight
190 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.42 secVertical Jump
33.0 inBroad Jump
124 inHand Length
9.38 inArm Length
30.75 in
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could lose out on goal-line looks
Cook could see fewer short-yardage opportunities after the Bills drafted running back Ray Davis in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
ANALYSIS
The 5-foot-8, 211-pound Davis has the build of a power runner, while the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook relies primarily on his quickness to elude defenders. Cook rushed 237 times for 1,122 yards in 2023 but scored only two rushing touchdowns, struggling to gain tough yards by the goal line. The addition of Davis, who scored 14 rushing touchdowns for Kentucky in 2023, could further complicate Cook's path to goal-line carries in a Buffalo offense that's already heavily reliant on both Josh Allen's arm and the quarterback's legs in the red zone.
The 5-foot-8, 211-pound Davis has the build of a power runner, while the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook relies primarily on his quickness to elude defenders. Cook rushed 237 times for 1,122 yards in 2023 but scored only two rushing touchdowns, struggling to gain tough yards by the goal line. The addition of Davis, who scored 14 rushing touchdowns for Kentucky in 2023, could further complicate Cook's path to goal-line carries in a Buffalo offense that's already heavily reliant on both Josh Allen's arm and the quarterback's legs in the red zone.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
Cook played a minimal role in the Buffalo offense as a rookie, logging just 257 snaps in 16 games, but the second-round pick out of Georgia was effective when he got the ball. He had six carries of 20 or more yards, averaging 5.7 YPC on 89 attempts, but his receiving production was less encouraging as he caught just 65.6 percent of his targets for 5.6 YPT. Cook largely was prized for his pass catching coming out of Georgia last year -- an important point in a sales pitch that otherwise had to grapple with the fact that Cook was never more than a rotational back in college. Free-agent pickups Damien Harris and Latavius Murray are threats to handle some of the valuable rushing reps near the goal line, but Cook should have a fairly clear path to the passing-down work. Cook is the only member of the backfield with the potential to make an impact as both a runner and receiver, and he's the only one backed by a major investment from the team.
More Fantasy News
Finishes loss with 82 yards
Cook rushed 18 times for 61 yards and caught four of five targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 27-24 loss to Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
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Leading rusher off 18 carries
Cook carried the ball 18 times for 79 yards while adding four catches for five yards in Monday's 31-17 wild-card win over the Steelers.
ANALYSIS
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Poor production on 17 touches
Cook rushed 13 times for 36 yards while adding three receptions on four targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 21-14 win over the Dolphins.
ANALYSIS
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Held in check by New England
Cook carried the ball 16 times for 48 yards and caught one of three targets for minus-4 yards in Sunday's 27-21 win over the Patriots.
ANALYSIS
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Loses out on goal-line work
Cook rushed the ball 20 times for 70 yards in Saturday's 24-22 win over the Chargers. He also lost a fumble and was not targeted.
ANALYSIS
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