Most players on a NFL team, the Buffalo Bills included, would be looking most forward to one game in particular during the league’s schedule release. Certainly every rookie falls under this umbrella, right?
The one were referencing is the season opener. Specifically on the Year 1 pros, they’re taking part in their first-ever game that day.
Buffalo rookie running back James Cook admits the season opener will be exciting against the Los Angeles Rams. However, at the team’s rookie minicamp, Cook said there was another that first caught his eye.
“I really looked for the Minnesota one,” Cook said via video conference.
Cook, a Georgia product, is a known name because of his brother: Dalvin Cook. The Minnesota he’s referencing is the Vikings, who his brother–also a running back– plays for.
Certainly understandable and that day, which will take place in Orchard Park in Week 10, is going to be a huge one for the Cook family. But the rookie knows there’s a long ways to go until then.
For now, he’s just happy to be back om the field and in the NFL.
“It just feels good to be out there playing again,” Cook said. “The first time putting on a NFL helmet, it felt great,”
There’s tons that could happen between then and now. First, the Bills have to decide what Cook’s role is.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane admitted following the 2022 draft that it’s a bit unclear what Cook will do for the Bills. He has a knack as a pass catcher, but if he proves he can do more, Beane didn’t close the door on that idea.
“We see his best skill set as a sub back, but I think he can handle carries too if we want to give him some more carries, but we really liked his skill set,” Beane said.
Buffalo does have their options, though. Cook joins a packed backfield with new Bills teammates Devin Singletary, Zack Cook and even Duke Johnson.
That company might make things tougher for Cook–but better for the team.
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