James Cook vs Justin Jefferson

“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.”

“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.”

“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?”

“If you spent $70 on running back but somehow came away with James Cook and De'Von Achane (which is a bit under our current dollar value calculator), that could be just fine.”

“With Josh Allen still leading one of the NFL's highest-scoring offenses and the offensive line remaining strong, Cook's floor remains extremely high. The hosts also discussed the possibility that Buffalo could finally unlock more of Cook's receiving upside under new leadership, especially given his pass-catching pedigree coming out of Georgia.”

“Despite back-to-back productive seasons, James Cook continues to be viewed skeptically in fantasy circles, but the FantasyPros analysts argued that Cook keeps answering every concern fantasy managers throw at him. After many predicted touchdown regression entering last season, Cook still delivered elite production while expanding his rushing workload.”

“He has improved every season of his career, totaling at least 1,000 rushing yards in three consecutive years, including an NFL and career-high 1,621 in 2025. More importantly, Cook is one of six running backs to average 16 or more PPR fantasy points per game in each of the past two seasons.”

“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.”

“J.J. McCarthy was so impressively bad that the coaching staff had to take middle-of-the-field passes out of the playbook because he couldn't read the field. Perhaps McCarthy has enough talent to turn things around, or maybe Kyler Murray is the answer, but so far camp reports don't suggest either player is distancing themselves from the other.”

“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."”

“The Vikings face the second-easiest schedule against opposing pass defenses based on 2025 EPA allowed per dropback.”

“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.”

“Justin Jefferson could have his way with the Lions' secondary, which was particularly vulnerable to the pass and waited until Round 5 before adding a cornerback.”

“Jefferson no longer feels completely 'quarterback proof.' That does not mean fantasy managers should avoid him. It simply means there is now slightly more risk compared to the top receivers being drafted ahead of him.”