After the 2022 season, the Buffalo Bills decided to let starting running back Devin Singletary hit free agency. That left then 23-year-old and unproven James Cook as the Bills’ starting back going into the 2023 campaign. At the time, some Bills fans were concerned regarding Cook being an every downback. Since getting the starting job, James Cook has been one of the league’s best and hasn’t looked back.
A year ago, James Cook finished fourth in rushing yards (1122), third among running backs and sixth overall in total scrimmage yards (1,567), eighth in receiving yards among backs (445), and second in average yards per catch for qualified running backs (10.2).
Those numbers put Cook in an elite company. Cook had more rushing yards than Joe Mixon and Breece Hall and more receiving yards than Austin Ekeler and Saquon Barkley.
This year it has been more of the same from the Georgia Product.
Cook is tied for third in the league in rushing touchdowns (11), is on pace for almost 1100 rushing yards, and has yet to fumble. This all comes with Cook playing less than 50% of the snaps this season (47.38%).
The 25-year-old has more rushing yards per game than well-known backs such as Travis Etienne, Kenneth Walker, David Montgomery, and D’Andre Swift.
Cook’s explosive ability and versatility have made him one of the league’s best backs. The Bills have not had a running back go for over 1000 yards rushing in consecutive seasons since LeSean McCoy in 2016 and 2017. If Cook stays healthy and the offensive line continues its dominance, he will certainly break 1000 yards rushing.
If the success continues the Bills may just have to pay and extend the league’s most underrated back this offseason.