James Cook
vs Derrick Henry

“Bills ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out that Bills RB James Cook is massively underpaid given how the running back market has moved, and he would expect that situation to come to a head this coming offseason, especially with Cook continuing to excel on the field. Dolphins The Dolphins are 0-3 to start the season and just lost RB De’Von Achane for the rest of the year. When asked about keeping morale up, QB Malik Willis said they need to keep their head down and continue working toward improving.”

“Josh Allen should meet little resistance, and James Cook can gash them on the ground, too.”

“James Cook was the clear lead back on paper (69.2% snap share) but had a light workload overall — 13 carries and a true 4 targets (12.5% adjusted target share), with no red-zone or goal-line carries logged. Both of Buffalo’s rushing scores went to Allen, not Cook. Sometimes that will happen to Cook — Allen vulturing short scores at the goal line — but it hasn’t inhibited him too drastically in past seasons.”

“While the outcome was mild against a Houston defense we still buy as one of the best defensive fronts, Cook got the usage we wanted to see. He played 69.2% of the snaps (RB11) and saw 88.9% of the backfield touches (RB4). The one element that left more to be desired was the passing-game usage that was talked up this preseason.”

“In 2025, he recorded 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns and gave us even more reason to be confident. With the Bills’ offense under Joe Brady never finding a dominant receiver, Cook has had to stand up and be the top playmaker, and there’s no reason to think that can’t continue this year.”

“In 2024, James Cook dominated, scoring 16 touchdowns and rushing for 1,009 yards. That production seemed unsustainable.”

“While Cook does not have the pass-catching profile that usually benefits from a full PPR format, he has been one of the absolute best assets to have on a fantasy roster over the past few seasons, finishing as a top-12 RB each of the last three years. There is hope that Cook may become more involved in the passing game for the Bills, which would only give his fantasy ceiling a boost.”

“James Cook (RB – BUF) has already shown flashes of every skill needed to be the overall RB1: a big receiving season, an 18-touchdown season, and a 1,600-yard rushing season, just never all in the same year.”

“Derrick Henry did almost all of his damage in the first half (11 carries, 51 yards, the touchdown) before falling off to just 5 carries for 17 yards after intermission as Baltimore’s offense stalled. He got 75% of his rushing yardage in the first half alone, before Baltimore’s offense went cold in the fourth quarter. Overall usage: 16 carries for 68 yards (1 TD), plus a true 4 targets/4 rec/28 yds once his penalty-erased catch is counted.”

“There is always concern about Henry’s red zone work being siphoned off by the legs of Lamar Jackson , and while the Ravens QB did have a rushing TD, Henry got plenty of work inside the 20, leading the league in rushing yards in the red zone this week. The consistency that Henry brings near paydirt should keep him as a regular on this list for most of the season.”

“The ageless Derrick Henry rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries Sunday, becoming the focal point for the offense after receivers Zay Flowers and Jakobi Lane left with injuries.”

“Ravens Ravens RB Derrick Henry is 10th all-time in rushing going into the 2026 season with 13,018 yards. A typical season would push him all the way to No. 6 on the list ( Curtis Martin , 14,101 yards), and a classic peak Henry season could propel him past Adrian Peterson at No. 5 (14,918 yards). Henry has had over 1,900 yards rushing twice in his career.”

“Derrick Henry is being overlooked as a major value again this year. Even in a “down year,” Henry still had 16 touchdowns on his way to an RB7 finish without a full season of Lamar Jackson and on a dysfunctional offense.”

“While Henry is no spring chicken, fantasy players should have no fear drafting him as a low-end RB1. He has played 17 games in three consecutive seasons. Furthermore, the future Hall of Famer has totaled at least 1,150 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in four consecutive years, finishing as a top-eight running back every season.”

“Much like fine wine, it just seems like Derrick Henry is getting better with age. However, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins and Father Time are undefeated. King Henry is coming off a career season in which he had 27 carries in the 5-yard line. There isn't anyone challenging him on the depth chart for touches, so the only concern in 2026 is age and the departure of center Tyler Linderbaum.”

“Derrick Henry is entering his late-career danger zone, and the depth behind him is paper-thin.”

“Every season fantasy managers wonder whether Derrick Henry is finally slowing down. Jake Ciely isn't buying it. His reasoning is simple. Henry's draft cost continues to fall even though his production hasn't. Ciely also pointed out that Henry's fantasy scoring remains remarkably consistent regardless of game script, making him one of the safest veteran running backs available. At his current ADP, he's comfortable betting on Henry one more time.”

“If Lamar Jackson can bounce back, Henry could inch back closer to his 2024 production (RB4 in fantasy points per game). He's at worst a low-end RB1 with top-five upside.”

“For all of his accolades as the league's most physical runner, Henry is a non-factor in Baltimore's passing game. With 20 or fewer receptions in eight of Henry's 10 NFL seasons, a sudden shift turning him into the next Christian McCaffrey or Jahmyr Gibbs is not envisioned.”

“Derrick Henry's 30.2 Sleeper ADP is a classic case of dynasty anxiety ruining redraft logic. Managers see his age and automatically assume a total collapse, completely ignoring the fact he ran for 1,500+ yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Henry remains the ultimate hammer in a Baltimore Ravens offense that completely sanitizes his negative game scripts. He retains a locked-in monopoly on goal-line touches and high-value red-zone opportunities.”