The Buffalo Bills selected former Georgia running back James Cook with the 63rd pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft in April.
Cook, who accounted for 1,012 total yards and 11 touchdowns last season, brings a versatility to the NFL that should allow him to shine with Buffalo’s high-powered offense.
Cook joins a crowded backfield, but has a chance to play often. Pro Football Focus suggests you consider him as a sleeper in your upcoming fantasy football drafts.
Via PFF:
The Bills did not draft Cook in the second round to sit him on the bench. They want him to be a dynamic weapon for quarterback Josh Allen.
PFF’s Miles Ruder explained earlier this offseason the dynamic element that Cook brings to the Bills’ offense, especially in the passing game. Singletary really struggles as a receiver (43.9 PFF receiving grade, third-worst) and should cede all the long-down and distance work to Cook from the jump.
The former Georgia standout posted a stellar 83.4 PFF receiving grade (eighth among all FBS running backs) while averaging over 10 yards per reception and 8.6 yards after the catch per reception last season.
It is a foregone conclusion that Cook takes over this backfield’s receiving role, but the rushing split is unclear. What if Cook proves to also be a better runner than Singletary? The upside case here is astronomical — there is certainly a universe where Cook sees most of the rushing and receiving work in this high-powered Bills offense, while Singletary is left to eat up the scraps.
Sign me up for RB1 ceiling in the later rounds with James Cook. His PFF consensus fantasy ranking is RB34.
He has a chance to play early for a Buffalo team that has no true No. 1 guy at the running back position and brings a versatility that can be dangerous to an already exciting Bills offense.
“I’m versatile, you know? I can do it all,” Cook said in his first media appearance as a Bill. “I can play in the slot. I can play out wide. I can run between the tackles. So I just feel like I can do it all and I’m versatile.”
Cook emerged as a weapon in UGA’s national championship season as a runner and a pass catcher.
The Florida native and brother of Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook had big performances in the national semifinal and title game for the Dawgs.
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