Cook starting strong

Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia described RB Dalvin Cook’s pass catching as “smooth” in OTAs.“It wouldn’t be a surprise to envision him having a role just a bit bigger than a normal complementary back,” Buscaglia wrote. All indications are that Cook’s off to a strong start in Buffalo. He checks in as a top-40 RB in redraft.

Bills RB James Cook totaled 13 carries for 36 rushing yards with 3 catches for 16 receiving yards in Week 18 vs. the Dolphins. Sunday night's showing wasn't the most robust performance we've seen from the second-year back and marked the third straight game in which he'd finished a contest with fewer than 10 PPR points. Still, Cook made several improvements in his sophomore campaign. His overall opportunity share in Buffalo lept from 7.4% as a rookie in 2022 to 17.1% this year en route to finishing with the third-most total scrimmage yards (1,567) among RBs. Cook turns 25 in September and seems poised to hold onto the Bills' leading job moving forward. That should help him maintain firm RB2-level value in dynasty formats into 2024.

Bills RB James Cook carried 20 times for 70 yards in Saturday’s win over the Chargers. He didn’t see a target, as Josh Allen attempted only 21 passes. Cook also lost a fumble late in the game, although he wasn’t benched. Leonard Fournette mixed in for 5 carries (0 targets) in his 2023 debut. Fournette – and Latavius Murray – each handled one goal line carry, matching Cook’s total. But it was Allen who popped in a pair of short-range rushing scores. A solid New England run D awaits in Week 17, but Cook will remain a near must-start.

RB James Cook was the Bills' offense in the Week 15 win over the Cowboys, accounting for 221 of the team's 360 total yards (61%). Cook gashed the Dallas run defense all game, turning 25 carries into 179 yards (7.1 YPC) and a score. He added two catches for 42 yards, including an 18-yard TD on a corner route to the front pylon. Cook was the best player on the field in this game -- and the Bills wisely rode him. QB Josh Allen finished with just 94 passing yards on 15 attempts. Don't expect another game like this from the Bills or Cook the rest of the way. But Cook has clearly been the biggest winner from the OC change to Joe Brady. He's now averaged 17.0 carries and 4.8 targets for 141 total yards in four games under Brady. Week 16 brings an excellent matchup vs. the Chargers' 20th-ranked RB defense. The sledding will be tougher in Week 17 against New England, but Cook's passing-game role will keep him a must-start for that one.

Bills RB James Cook logged a season-high 22 touches in Sunday's loss to the Eagles: 16 carries and a season-high 6 receptions. It marked the third time this season he has reached 20 touches and the second such game in a row. So does that mean his role is growing? No. Cook's carry and opportunity shares have not increased the past two weeks, following the team's OC switch. In fact, Cook's 51.6% share of RB carries against Philly was his second-smallest of the season. His 53.5% opportunity share (carries + targets) was his fourth-lowest. Cook benefited in each case from high team play volume. The Bills ran a season-high 92 plays at Philadelphia and 76 in the Week 11 win over the Jets, their third-most plays of the year. Buffalo RBs, though, have also seen a boost in target share over the past two games. A 21.9% share against the Jets was the highest since the season opener -- until Sunday's 23.5% share. If that continues, Cook's fantasy numbers would certainly benefit. He has caught four passes in two straight games after reaching that number just twice through the first 10 weeks. Buffalo now heads into a Week 13 bye. Then come matchups with the Chiefs and Cowboys that should support RB targets, because each ranks among the league's toughest WR defenses. Then comes Cook's best remaining matchup (Chargers) and a Week 17 rematch with New England. The Patriots afforded him 102 total yards and a TD at 6.4 yards per touch in their first meeting. Cook should be a solid PPR contributor the rest of the way. He won't be a lock for strong touch counts, though. Latavius Murray actually played 1 more snap vs. Philly, ran six more routes, and trailed Cook by just 1 target. Ty Johnson has also worked in for 6 touches each of the past two weeks. Leonard Fournette, meanwhile, has yet to be called up from the practice squad a month after signing.

Monday night was an eventful evening for Bills RB James Cook. The second-year back tallied 12 carries for 109 rushing yards in Week 10 vs. the Broncos, the second-highest yardage total he’s recorded in 2023. He unfortunately also fumbled twice in the contest, including a lost ball on the Bills’ first play of the game. He was benched for several series thereafter before returning to the field in the second quarter. Teammate Latavius Murray saw an uptick in involvement as a result (9-68-1). It’s also worth mentioning that Leonard Fournette wasn’t brought up onto the active roster for the second week in a row. This backfield is a bit messy and will only have more complications given that the Bills’ remaining schedule ranks fourth-toughest for RBs per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Next up on the calendar is an AFC East showdown with the Jets (19th in run defense DVOA).