Fantasy grade, projections, percentile rankings, advanced usage, and weekly points.
James Cook is a RB5 and grades as an Elite (A+) fantasy running back for the 2026 season. He projects for about 260.8 fantasy points.
James Cook is an NFL running back for BUF. Projected RB5. One of the best fantasy running backs in the league and an every-week must-start. Last season he averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game (RB6 in 2025).
A+ · Elite. Projected RB5. One of the best fantasy running backs in the league and an every-week must-start.
Athletic profile: James Cook ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash (86th percentile at RB), a 33-inch vertical, a 124-inch broad jump, for a composite athletic score of 69 out of 100. Drafted in 2022 (Round 2, Pick 63) out of Georgia.
In 2025, James Cook handled a 56.3% share of his team's carries (309 carries, 53 in the red zone) plus a 7.6% target share, for 349 total opportunities.
Per Pro Football Reference, he averaged 3 yards before contact and 2.2 yards after contact per carry with 21 broken tackles.
| Season | G | Rush | Rush Yd | TD | Rec | Rec Yd | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17 | 309 | 1621 | 12 | 33 | 291 | 17.8 |
| 2024 | 16 | 207 | 1009 | 16 | 32 | 258 | 16.7 |
| 2023 | 17 | 237 | 1122 | 2 | 44 | 445 | 13.7 |
| 2022 | 17 | 91 | 525 | 2 | 21 | 180 | 6.3 |
James Cook grades as an Elite (A+) fantasy running back for 2026. Projected RB5. One of the best fantasy running backs in the league and an every-week must-start.
James Cook does not have an early-round consensus ADP right now, so in most 12-team leagues he is a late-round pick or waiver-wire add rather than a core draft target.
James Cook has no injury designation in our latest data and is expected to be available, but always confirm his status close to kickoff.
Projected RB5. One of the best fantasy running backs in the league and an every-week must-start. Last season he averaged 17.8 fantasy points per game (RB6 in 2025). He projects for roughly 260.8 fantasy points in 2026.