James Cook rebounded from a tough rookie season to become the top running back for the Buffalo Bills in 2023. He is expected to see significant playing time in his third season and is considered a solid choice as a starting RB in fantasy football leagues. Despite not being ranked in the Top 10 by experts like Michael Fabiano, Cook is placed at number 14 among running backs by Sports Illustrated. He is grouped in Tier 5 with other strong RB2 options, such as Kamara, Achane, and Walker, while elite names like McCaffrey, Robinson, and Hall lead the rankings in Tier 1. Fabiano’s tier system categorizes Cook as a high RB2 with good potential for the upcoming season, positioning him favorably for fantasy football drafts.
Cook, a former Georgia player selected in the second round of the draft, finished second in the AFC in terms of yards gained from scrimmage the previous season. He was active for all 17 games of the regular season and gained 445 yards as a receiver in addition to 1,122 yards rushing. The RB1 for Buffalo averaged 10.1 yards per receiving and 4.7 yards per carry.
The 24-year-old’s fantasy worth might soar if the Bills choose to give him more chances in the red zone. Josh Allen, the quarterback, scored 15 touchdowns on the ground in 2023, whereas Cook only managed two touchdowns on the run.
