James Cook
vs Josh Jacobs

“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.”

“James Cook (RB – BUF) In 2024, James Cook dominated, scoring 16 touchdowns and rushing for 1,009 yards. That production seemed unsustainable. In 2025, he recorded 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and gave us even more reason to be confident.”

“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.”

“James Cook was picked as the best value on the board at 11th overall, priced almost entirely off last year’s production rather than his upside. The case for a top-three running back season rests on four pillars, and Cook checks every one.”

“James Cook was a no-brainer pick, and it came down to Derrick Henry and Ashton Jeanty for the RB2 slot.”

“The Bills put their money where their mouth is by giving James Cook a ton of money, then followed that up with a bunch of touches (349, to be exact), and brought the rushing title back to Buffalo. James Cook led the NFL in 2025 with 11 games of 80+ rushing yards.”

“James Cook is expected to be more involved in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, whose running backs have been heavily involved in the passing attack throughout his coaching history. Cook had a career-high 309 rush attempts in the regular season en route to the NFL rushing title last season, and shifting some of his carries into targets could be a wise move given his excellent receiving skills demonstrated at the NFL level.”

“Unlike Saquon Barkley, who also plays with a quarterback used heavily near the end zone, the Bills do mix in Cook near the end zone, instead of strictly relying on Josh Allen moving the pile. Cook had 14 rushing attempts inside the 5-yard line in 2025 (tied for 8th in the NFL) with 6 touchdowns on those runs.”

“Jacobs was originally booked on five charges, including strangulation, but instead faced reduced charges of misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property. Generally speaking, the NFL has a six-game minimum suspension length for incidents of domestic violence. Jacobs, 28, was selected with the No. 24 overall pick by the Raiders out of Alabama in 2019.”

“5% Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner’s exempt list, which suddenly puts Lloyd in position to lead GB’s backfield with limited NFL experience.”

“Based on the NFL’s statement, though, there is still no timeline for clarity to emerge regarding how much time Jacobs will miss during the regular season. As noted by Mark Maske of Front Office Sports , any games Jacobs spends on the commissioner’s exempt list before a ban were to be handed down would count toward his suspension. Players typically lose their game checks for each contest missed through suspension, but Maske adds Jacobs would have his pay returned for any games sidelined on the exempt list prior to a suspension being handed down.”

“The legal situation swirling around Josh Jacobs will definitely put a crimp into the plans of how the Packers operate, forcing oft-injured MarShawn Lloyd to become the de facto top running back instead.”

“Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List, and his availability is unknown.”

“Josh Jacobs is one of the easiest running backs to target on Fantrax if he slips to his ADP of 40. At a 32 ADP on FantasyPros, that is eight picks later than other sites. Jacobs has already demonstrated a high-end fantasy ceiling and a true workhorse role in Green Bay.”

“Round 13: MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB) Josh Jacobs could still be suspended by the NFL, allowing MarShawn Lloyd a chance to get on the field.”

“If healthy, Jacobs has a top-5 fantasy ceiling. But as the 28-year-old continues to pile up volume and small injuries, fantasy managers should be wary of the production tapering off.”

“Josh Jacobs (RB – GB) Going as the RB14, 21st overall, Jacobs is projected for 289 carries, 1,161 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns, plus another 36 catches and roughly one receiving touchdown. Health was the story that took some shine off last season, as a knee bruise and thigh injury limited him over the second half.”

“Josh Jacobs was involved in an offseason domestic incident that is reportedly still under investigation, though no charges have been filed.”

“1 | Diff: +5 Josh Jacobs has been the RB8 and RB9 in fantasy points per game during his two seasons in Green Bay.”

“Josh Jacobs might be the biggest value in early fantasy football drafts. Despite finishing as a productive fantasy back last season, Jacobs is currently being drafted outside the top 12 running backs in many formats. The case is simple: Green Bay trusts Jacobs near the goal line, he remains heavily involved as an early-down runner, and his receiving floor is underrated.”