The Buffalo Bills made their second pick at the 2022 NFL draft after two trade backs. Despite the wait, the selection of Georgia running back James Cook was praised.
In Cook, the Bills are getting a player that needs to clean up some things, but he’s still a Day 1 weapon. Cook can catch the ball better than any 2022 prospect, and folks nationally loved envisioning that with Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen.
With that, here are some national media reactions to the Bills’ selection of Cook in the second round:
Chris Simms, NBC Sports
James Cook is a perfect fit for @BuffaloBills and there offense. My boy blue is gonna drive defenses crazy with receivers deep down field and Cook underneath. Cook is awesome in pass game and in space
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) April 30, 2022
Ian Rapoport, NFL Network
The #Bills do get their RB, just not in the first round. At No. 63, they select James Cook, RB from #Georgia. His brother Dalvin also plays football in the NFL.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2022
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network
One thought after the Bills add James Cook: good luck to the AFC East LB's.
He makes you miss and is a nightmare in passing game. Josh Allen got a big-time weapon, this is a pick with big impact Week 1.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) April 30, 2022
Michael Florio, NFL Network
James Cook (Dalvin’s younger brother) is the best pass catching back in this class. That’s clearly an emphasis for the Bills after they nearly signed J.D. McKissic and then nabbed Duke Johnson
A Singletary-Cook split in a pass first offense – both more like flex options
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) April 30, 2022
Justin Melo, The Draft Network
The #Bills just drafted the best pass-catching RB in the 2022 #NFLDraft by selecting James Cook! WHAT. A. FIT. Bills fans, get familiar with @thegreat__4 via my @TheDraftNetwork profile on Cook.#FrontOffice33 | #BillsMafiahttps://t.co/BJXZC6TqOI
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 30, 2022
Pro Football Focus
Welcome to Buffalo, James Cook!
Last season Cook had a career best 83.4 receiving grade. 4th highest among SEC RB’s🔥 pic.twitter.com/9Fu02MsoqK
— PFF BUF Bills (@PFF_Bills) April 30, 2022
Graham Barfield, Fantasy Points
James Cook is second in this class in Yards Created per attempt and will immediately command a huge role on passing downs for the Bills. He ran WR routes against CBs and got separation often. Perfect fit.
My pre-draft notes: pic.twitter.com/i1INqW6eJv
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) April 30, 2022
Albert Breer, MMQB
James Cook is second in this class in Yards Created per attempt and will immediately command a huge role on passing downs for the Bills. He ran WR routes against CBs and got separation often. Perfect fit.
My pre-draft notes: pic.twitter.com/i1INqW6eJv
— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) April 30, 2022
Blayne Gilmer, UGA Sports
James Cook very likely to have another ring this time next year #Bills
— Blayne Gilmer (@BGilmer18) April 30, 2022
Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports
As if #Bills fans wanted to be more excited about James Cook.
– 1 drop on 74 career targets
– Only 2 fumbles
– 6.5 yards per carry, 10.9 yards per reception#BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/JIwvgiEmOf— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) April 30, 2022
Art Stapleton, NJ.com
Bills take Georgia RB James Cook. Giants liked him. Joe Schoen's former boss liked him more.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 30, 2022
Mike Clay, ESPN
James Cook is a terrific complement to Devin Singletary and fills the passing-down RB void Buffalo failed to fill when JD McKissic backed out and re-signed with Washington.
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) April 30, 2022
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