(Photo: WIVB)
7. James Cook: By tomorrow, the first half of this project will be in the books! So far, two Running Backs and one Wide Receiver have been revealed. This next player quietly goes about his business and doesn’t necessarily seek the spotlight despite being one of the league’s most productive players. When you think of the Buffalo Bills, the first name that comes to mind is Josh Allen, and that’s to be expected considering he’s an MVP-winning Quarterback and one of the best in the league. However, I believe his buddy in the backfield is just as—if not more—important to the success of this football team as a whole. James Cook makes his debut on my list! He comes in as my seventh-best player and my second-ranked Running Back entering this season.
The Georgia Bulldogs have had their share of great Running Backs come through Athens. Herschel Walker, Terrell Davis, Garrison Hearst, Sony Michel, Todd Gurley, Nick Chubb—and that’s just to name a few! James also played his college ball for the Dawgs and was a part of the 2021 team that won the National Championship against the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 63rd overall pick. When Devin Singletary left for Houston, James became the featured Running Back, and the rest is history. What makes James special is that he fits the direction the NFL has gone offensively. Twenty to twenty-five years ago, if you were a Running Back, you were expected to be a 250-pound workhorse. Those days are largely gone. James has shown that quickness, vision, and versatility can be just as effective when an offense commits to them. He has become one of the most explosive backs in football and is more than capable of turning what looks like a modest gain into a chunk play. Whenever I watch James, I can tell he has a track background because his speed is something special. He has the acceleration to get through a hole quickly along with the lateral quickness to make defenders miss in space. Since entering the league, James’ vision has improved every season. He does an excellent job of pressing the line of scrimmage before committing to a running lane, allowing his blockers up front to establish leverage. I’ve also noticed that he’s particularly effective in outside-zone concepts, where his patience and burst allow him to find creases before accelerating through them. Where James has really separated himself is as a receiver. He’s become a legitimate weapon out of the backfield and creates matchup problems for linebackers because of his route-running ability and reliable hands. Josh Allen knows he can check the ball down to him in crucial situations. The most underrated part of James’ game is his decision-making. He rarely tries to force a play that isn’t there and understands it’s better to take four or five yards than bounce everything outside looking for the home run.
I’ve said it for the last few years, and I’ll say it again: the Buffalo Bills’ offense is at its best when they establish James Cook—or, as a very wise man I know always says, “Let James Cook!” All pun intended! In 2025, James led the league in rushing with 1,621 yards on the ground. Why the Bills don’t consistently commit to feeding him the football is beyond me, especially in late-game situations. He’ll continue to be Buffalo’s X-factor if they want to make a deep playoff run in January.
