James Cook vs Justin Jefferson

“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.”

“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. With the Bills' offense under Joe Brady never finding a dominant receiver, Cook has had to stand up and lead the offense, and there's no reason to think that can't continue this season.”

“Cook is coming off a season where he set career highs in carries (309), rushing yards (1,621), yards per carry (5.3) and fantasy points per game (17.8). Cook is a little older than most realize as he heads into his age-27 season, but he doesn't have a lot of mileage on him, and he's tied to Josh Allen for the next few years in what should continue being an explosive offense.”

“Cook caught just 33 passes on 40 targets despite a career-high 1,621 rushing yards. A quick glance at Cook's career confirms that Buffalo is comfortable forcing passing targets elsewhere, as during his four seasons with the Bills, Cook surpassed 35 receptions just once.”

“In 2024, James Cook dominated, scoring 16 touchdowns and rushing for 1,009 yards. In 2025, he recorded 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and gave us even more reason to be confident. However, the counter to this would be that Josh Allen is coming off his lowest passing yardage total since 2019 (3,668), and hasn't thrown for more than 30 touchdowns in the last three seasons.”

“Running back James Cook won the rushing title with 1,621 yards, but in PFF's view, Torrence didn't help his cause.”

“The Bills featured James Cook as a bell cow, leaving Davis little opportunity to provide fantasy relevance.”

“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.”

“James Cook was faded at ADP 39 with a 20% win rate and 71% top 6% finish, and the verdict was Wrong.”

“In 2024, James Cook dominated, scoring 16 touchdowns and rushing for 1,009 yards, and in 2025 he recorded 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. However, the counter to this consistency would be that Josh Allen is coming off his lowest passing yardage total since 2019 (3,668), and hasn't thrown for more than 30 touchdowns in the last three seasons.”

“Cook profiled as a high-upside pass-catcher out of the backfield when he entered the league in 2022, but that upside never materialized, as he has averaged just 41 targets per season over his first four years.”

“The counter to this would be that Josh Allen is coming off his lowest passing yardage total since 2019 (3,668), and hasn't thrown for more than 30 touchdowns in the last three seasons. However, the Bills seem positive their offense will take a step forward this year with the addition of DJ Moore under new head coach Joe Brady. That remains to be seen. If it does happen, and the team scores more passing touchdowns and moves the ball better, could it come at the expense of Cook's ceiling?”

“Jefferson is coming off career lows in receiving yards (1,084), receptions (68) and receiving touchdowns (two) in a season he played all games. Among wide receivers with 50+ targets, Jefferson ranked 58th in catchable target rate (71%). J.J. McCarthy stunk, and all indications are that Kyler Murray is the clear favorite to be the starter in 2026, and possibly beyond.”

“Jefferson averaged 2.43 yards per route run with Wentz on the field last season, averaging nearly 100 yards per game. Using the tool, we can see that Jefferson finished 1.5 fantasy points above his expected total from Week 3 to Week 8, when Wentz was at quarterback for the Vikings.”

“Justin Jefferson was one of the biggest fantasy disappointments in 2025. Still, his usage last season suggests he will be right back in the WR1 conversation if Minnesota gets better quarterback play this season. Jefferson was the WR8 in expected fantasy points last year, but he scored 31.3 fewer points than expected.”

“Jefferson is coming off career lows in receiving yards (1,084), receptions (68) and receiving touchdowns (two) in a season he played all games. Among wide receivers with 50+ targets, Jefferson ranked 58th in catchable target rate (71%). All indications are that Kyler Murray is the clear favorite to be the starter in 2026, and the Vikings had the fourth-fewest pass attempts per game under McCarthy, but in 2024 under Sam Darnold, they ranked 17th.”

“Justin Jefferson continues to operate as one of the league's best, posting six 1,000-yard seasons to start his NFL career.”

“Jefferson's price tag is a bit steep, and he has more bust potential than anyone else in the first round, though his upside is worth mixing into best ball portfolios.”

“Justin Jefferson was the WR34 in half-PPR points per game (9.4) in the 2025 season when Minnesota's trio of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer couldn't get the job done.”

“Justin Jefferson had fewer receiving yards in 2025 (1,048) than he did in 2023, when he only played 10 games (1,074). Jefferson also had a career-low 12.5 yards per reception and a career-low two receiving touchdowns.”

“Justin Jefferson had fewer receiving yards in 2025 (1,048) than he did in 2023, when he only played 10 games (1,074). Jefferson also had a career-low 12.5 yards per reception and a career-low two receiving touchdowns. Among receivers with 50+ targets, Jefferson ranked 58th in catchable target rate (71%).”

“Justin Jefferson said he plans to work with both quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy ahead of training camp so that they aren't starting fresh and can build chemistry ahead of time. "For sure, both. Just carrying on what we have been doing for the past couple weeks and just continuing that throughout the summertime," Jefferson said. "It definitely would be impactful. Just to continue to see my route running, to continue to get that timing down pat is really key so we're not really starting over back in training camp."”

“Vikings WR Justin Jefferson gave his outlook on the team's roster ahead of training camp and believes that the team has good playmakers at each offensive position. "Just the weapons that we have on the offensive side of the ball. You know, the running back position is very good. The receiver position is very good. The tight end position is very good."”

“Justin Jefferson finally escaped quarterback misery. Catching passes from JJ McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer felt like an elaborate social experiment designed to test Jefferson's patience.”