James Cook III

Well, so much for all of the regression talk about James Cook last year. Cook crushed all of the haters, improving his stock as the RB6 in fantasy points per game. He led the NFL in rushing yards (1,621) while finishing third in rushing attempts and sixth in rushing touchdowns (tied). Cook had 14 total touchdowns compared to the 18 that he spiked in the previous season. Cook remained extremely efficient as a rusher, ranking 15th in explosive run rate and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). His passing game usage was nearly identical to the previous season, with 40 targets (38 targets in 2024) and 8.8 yards per reception (8.1 in 2024). We can quibble about where Cook sits in the RB1 rankings in 2026, but he remains a rock-solid RB1 in one of the best offenses in the NFL.

James Cook III rushed for 15 yards on two carries in the Bills 35-8 win over the Jets.

Fantasy Impact

Cook and the majority of the Bills' starters on offense were used sparingly in the win over the Jets. Cook turned in an excellent season, finishing with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 309 carries this season. He will remain a highly sought after pick in fantasy drafts in 2026.