2024 Rush/Rec Stats
ATT
207
YDS
1009
TD
16
YDS
258
TD
2
2025 Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
The Bills unleashed a new-look rushing attack in 2024, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady tapping into a dominant ground game that was largely dormant in prior years. The player reaping the greatest benefits was Cook, who went from a two-touchdown runner in 2023 to 16 touchdowns last year, even while taking 30 fewer carries. After just five carries inside the 5-yard line in his first 326 NFL rush attempts, Cook got 15 chances inside the 5 among his 207 carries last year. These developments are encouraging for Cook, yet his TD rate is plainly marked for regression in 2025. But he's seeking a contract extension, and if he receives one it will presumably be costly, at which point Cook's increased pay would incentivize the Bills to maintain his workload, despite the promise of backups Ty Johnson and (especially) 2024 fourth-round pick Ray Davis. Good as Cook is, he's still a smaller RB (5-foot-11, 190) who is not built for power functions, while by contrast Davis is dense and powerful (5-9, 220). An extension would be big for securing Cook's workload projection this season. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
Not at voluntary OTAs
Cook wasn't present for Tuesday's voluntary organized team activities, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
While Cook isn't participating in the Bills' voluntary OTAs, coach Sean McDermott noted that he's remained in contact with the running back, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and seeking a contract extension. "Yeah, we're staying in touch, like you'd expect a player and a coach to do," McDermott said of the 2022 second-rounder. "So, James will be here when he's ready to be here and we move forward." While it remains to be seen whether Cook will be on the field for the team's mandatory minicamp (June 10-12), GM Brandon Beane maintains that he expects Buffalo's leading rusher to be ready to go for the 2025 season. Assuming that's the case, Cook will continue to lead a backfield that returns his top two backups from last season, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson.
While Cook isn't participating in the Bills' voluntary OTAs, coach Sean McDermott noted that he's remained in contact with the running back, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and seeking a contract extension. "Yeah, we're staying in touch, like you'd expect a player and a coach to do," McDermott said of the 2022 second-rounder. "So, James will be here when he's ready to be here and we move forward." While it remains to be seen whether Cook will be on the field for the team's mandatory minicamp (June 10-12), GM Brandon Beane maintains that he expects Buffalo's leading rusher to be ready to go for the 2025 season. Assuming that's the case, Cook will continue to lead a backfield that returns his top two backups from last season, Ray Davis and Ty Johnson.
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 2024 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 %
15.0%Positive Run %
84.1%% Yds After Contact
60.5%Avg Yds After Contact
2.9Rushing TD %
7.7%Touches Per Game
14.9% Snaps w/Touch
51.6%Air Yards Per Game
1.9Air Yards Per Snap
0.06% Team Air Yards
0.7%% Team Targets
7.7%Avg Depth of Target
0.8 YdsCatch Rate
84.2%Drop Rate
7.9%Avg Yds After Catch
8.1% Targeted On Route
17.1%Avg Yds Per Route Run
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2024
2023
2022
2024 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
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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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2024 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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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
2022
Power and short-yardage running will probably never be part of Cook's skill set, and with that limitation comes a likely cap on his fantasy production. If he can overrule that limitation, it would have to be via pass-catching production, which was a clear strength last season for the 2022 second-round pick. Whereas Cook's rushing work from 2023 can be imitated easily enough, it's not so easy for an offense to find a running back that can turn 54 targets into 44 catches for 445 yards and four touchdowns. While that type of efficiency is difficult to maintain even for a skilled pass-catching back, Cook can make up for any efficiency losses with a larger target count this upcoming season. It might be necessary in order for him to repeat last year's fantasy production, as QB Josh Allen's dominance of goal-line carries means Cook isn't guaranteed to improve much on last year's total of two rushing touchdowns (on 237 attempts). The addition of rookie fourth-round pick Ray Davis could introduce a short-yardage nuisance and some competition for early down snaps, but as long as Cook maintains his monopoly on Buffalo's RB targets the formula from 2023 should mostly remain in place for 2024.
More Fantasy News
Skipping voluntary workouts
Cook is not present for the start of voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Sal Capaccio of WGR Sports Radio 550 Buffalo reports.
ANALYSIS
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Wants extension, more playing time
Cook is seeking a contract extension and said he'd like to get more playing time as well, Ryan Talbot of newyorkupstate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Finishes season with 19 rushing TDs
Cook rushed 13 times for 85 yards and two touchdowns while catching all three of his targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 32-29 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.
ANALYSIS
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Posts 82 scrimmage yards in win
Cook rushed 17 times for 67 yards and caught all three of his targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 27-25 AFC divisional-round win over the Ravens.
ANALYSIS
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Romps over Denver in wild-card win
Cook carried the ball 23 times for 120 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-7 wild-card win over the Broncos.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
GM not worried about holdout
General manager Brandon Beane told Adam Schein of Mad Dog Sports Radio on Wednesday that the Bills don't anticipate Cook's holdout lasting into the 2025 season. "I have no doubt when it's time to play football, he'll be ready to roll," Beane said of Cook.
ANALYSIS
Cook hasn't been participating in Buffalo's voluntary offseason program, as the running back is hoping to land an extension. The Bills are in no rush to extend Cook, who is reportedly seeking a contract at $15 million per year, as he's under contract on his rookie deal in 2025, and Buffalo could gain another year of team control by using the franchise tag on Cook in 2026. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson would be in line to assume larger responsibilities if Cook remains away from the team as we get closer to the season.
Cook hasn't been participating in Buffalo's voluntary offseason program, as the running back is hoping to land an extension. The Bills are in no rush to extend Cook, who is reportedly seeking a contract at $15 million per year, as he's under contract on his rookie deal in 2025, and Buffalo could gain another year of team control by using the franchise tag on Cook in 2026. Ray Davis and Ty Johnson would be in line to assume larger responsibilities if Cook remains away from the team as we get closer to the season.