James Cook DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not report to the start of the organization's voluntary OTAs, according to general manager Brandon Beane. The former second-round pick out of Georgia posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024 and is seeking a contract extension worth $15 million annually. In 16 games last season, Cook posted 1,009 yards on 207 carries and caught 32 passes for 258 yards. He found the end zone 18 times. It remains to be seen if Cook is a candidate to hold out of mandatory OTAs or training camp, but for now, it's too early to have any significant takeaways. If he's the clear starter in Buffalo next season, he'll continue to have RB1 upside in an offense led by MVP quarterback Josh Allen.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has been vocal about wanting a contract extension. Cook reportedly wants an extension worth $15 million per season. It doesn't seem that the Bills and Cook are seeing eye-to-eye on that topic. That being said, it wouldn't be shocking to see Cook stay away from voluntary workouts. It seems unlikely that Cook will sit out actual regular season games, but possibly he'll miss workouts to increase the pressure on the organization. Cook is deserving of a new contract after rushing for 1,009 yards with a career-high 16 touchdowns this past season. The Bills have already handed out extensions to other players, so maybe Cook isn't as valued to Buffalo as he thinks. Ultimately, the two sides should get a deal done, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Cook try to leverage the situation.

Despite a contract impasse with the Buffalo Bills and the fact that he put his house up for sale in Buffalo, running back James Cook "will play for the Bills next season," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Things are "not great" between Cook and the Bills. The 25-year-old has a $5.3 million salary for the 2025 season, which is the last year of his rookie deal, and he's made it known he's looking for at least $15 million per year. Buffalo would like to sign him to a long-term extension, but at the moment the two sides aren't remotely close in negotiations. The former second-rounder (63rd overall) in 2022 out of Georgia has back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 16 regular-season games in 2024. Cook will be Buffalo's RB1 again in 2025, but fantasy managers must plan for TD regression, and the Bills could be looking to split the workload more with Ty Johnson and Ray Davis.