Buffalo Bills running back James Cook suffered through the worst fantasy performance of his season in Week 4 but should bounce back against the Houston Texans. Cook was removed from the game due to a negative game script against the Ravens. He logged just 10 touches for under 50 yards. The game script on Sunday versus Houston should fare better for Cook's fantasy production. However, the Texans' defense is stronger against the run than the pass, and they've allowed the fewest passing yards to opposing running backs. The Bills shouldn't have many issues moving the football on offense, setting up more high-value opportunities for the lead running back. Start Cook across the board.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook carried the football nine times for 39 yards and caught one pass for nine yards in the team's blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It was the lowest touch total for Cook so far this season. Cook ran efficiently early in the game against a stout Baltimore run defense but didn't see many touches in the second half. The Bills found themselves down 18 points at halftime and turned to an aerial attack to attempt to come back. Buffalo's lone touchdown was scored by backup running back Ty Johnson from three yards out following a long completion by Khalil Shakir. Cook should see a rebound in Week 5 when the Bills travel to Houston.
James Cook Faces Toughest Run Defense In Football In Week 4
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, the current RB6 in fantasy football, draws his toughest test yet of the 2024 season. The Baltimore Ravens allow a league-low 50 rushing yards per game, 21 yards fewer than the next team on the list. The Raiders and Cowboys' subpar rushing attacks brought the average down, but the Ravens limited Isiah Pacheco to three yards per carry in Week 1. While the Ravens are stout against the run, they allow the eighth-most receptions to running backs, an area where Cook can thrive. As hot as the Buffalo offense is, it's impossible to shy away from Josh Allen, Cook, and the other big names on the Bills. Start Cook as a low-end RB1 in Week 4.
James Cook Scores On The Ground, Catches Four Passes
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed the football 11 times for 39 yards and a touchdown while adding four catches for 48 yards in the team's 47-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills opened the game throwing more often than running, although Cook finished the first drive with his touchdown. Due to another blowout win, Cook only touched the ball once in the fourth quarter. Cook's 87 total yards were his fewest of the young season, but he still managed to end the week as an RB1 in PPR formats. With his work on the ground and through the air, the soon-to-be 25-year-old will remain an RB1 against a tough Baltimore defense in Week 4.
James Cook Projects For RB1 Production Again In Week 3
It's doubtful that Buffalo Bills running back James Cook scores three touchdowns and wins AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week but he still is ranked as an RB1 heading into the team's matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars are allowing over 100 rushing yards per game. They're also struggling on offense. With a lead, the Bills could lean more on Cook. Regardless of the game script, he will continue to be the focal point of the Buffalo offense, registering over 70 yards on the ground in both contests while adding extra yardage in the passing game. Expect at least 15 touches from Cook on Monday Night Football and start him confidently as an RB1.
James Cook Scores Three Touchdowns On Thursday Night Football
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook caught one touchdown and ran for two more in the team's dominant victory over Miami on Thursday Night Football. He totaled 95 yards and is now an early favorite to be the RB1 in Week 2. Cook started the scoring with a 17-yard reception on fourth down on the Bills' first drive. A few drives later, Cook punched it in from the one-yard line, a rare site in his young career. Finally, he sprinted away from defenders on a 49-yard touchdown run up the middle. Cook has now matched his rushing touchdown total from last season. His night could have been bigger but the Bills remained up three touchdowns throughout the entire fourth quarter and let rookie Ray Davis burn the clock. Cook will be in the RB1 range when the Bills take the field against Jacksonville a week from Monday.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook may not get the red zone opportunities that fantasy managers love, but he'll get plenty of touches elsewhere on the field. Although on the field for just over 60% of Buffalo's snaps in Week 1, James Cook dominated backfield touches. He carried the ball 19 times and caught three passes. Rookie Ray Davis got four touches while veteran Ty Johnson received two. With offensive coordinator Joe Brady's reliance on the running game since he took the helm, Cook is in line for another 15-20 touch game. Consider Cook a low-end RB1 against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed for 71 yards on 19 attempts while adding 32 yards on three catches in the team's Week 1 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Cook dominated the running back touches (22), compared to four for rookie Ray Davis and two for Ty Johnson. Unfortunately, as was the story often in 2023, Josh Allen accounted for the team's two rushing touchdowns from within the 10-yard line. That left Cook with good yardage but no scores. Expect another game of 15-20 touches when the Bills take on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday Night Football. A lack of goal-line opportunities will continue to cap his upside.
James Cook Projects As A High-End RB2 Against Arizona
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is again opening the season as the lead back in Buffalo. Despite concerns over touches near the endzone, Cook should be started in all fantasy football leagues. A low touchdown total (six) was the only blemish from Cook's RB12 finish from a season ago. He totaled 1,567 yards and caught 44 passes, despite only playing more than 70% of the team's snaps once. Cook could be even more involved in the passing game in 2024, with two of Buffalo's top target earners (Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis) on other rosters. The Cardinals ranked dead last in rushing yards allowed to running backs in 2023 (2,027) and surrendered eight receiving touchdowns to the position, the most in the NFL. Even if Cook is vultured by Josh Allen or rookie Ray Davis in the red zone, it should still be a productive day for fantasy football.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook got involved in Saturday night's preseason victory over the hosting Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium, rushing six times for 25 yards in the win. Cook tacked on a six-yard catch on Saturday against Pittsburgh, running for a long gain of eight yards. The star third-year back trailed only superstars Christian McCaffrey and Breece Hall among RBs with 1,567 yards from scrimmage in 17 games as Buffalo's lead back last season, but even though incumbent veteran Latavius Murray is no longer around to vulture touchdowns from him, Cook now has rookie fourth-rounder Ray Davis to worry about in the backfield this fall. Davis is a threat to siphon the occasional carry on early downs and also has pass-catching ability, but Cook will start the season as a surefire RB2 option in what became a run-heavy Bills offense during the second half of last year.
