James Cook has already done enough to earn a spot near the top of the NFL’s running back conversation, and Bleacher Report’s scouting department just backed that up.
The Bills star was slotted seventh among NFL running backs, landing one place ahead of De’Von Achane and one spot behind Derrick Henry. Bleacher Report didn’t hold back in its evaluation, calling Cook one of the league’s top backs after a huge season in Buffalo.
“James Cook emerged as one of the league's top running backs last season,” Bleacher Report wrote. “He was the second most important player on the Bills' offense.
He rushed for 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns. Cook displayed his smooth, fluid movement skills while attacking the line of scrimmage.
He changed directions to force missed tackles with good suddenness. Cook caught the ball well in the passing game, adding another dimension to his skill set.
The Bills' offense is better when Cook is featured.”
Cook backed up that praise with a monster 2025 campaign. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games and finished with 1,621 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 291 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler also led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing yards per game.
He kept producing in the playoffs, too. Against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos, Cook totaled 163 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. Buffalo beat Jacksonville before falling to Denver.
Looking ahead to 2026, Cook brings a loaded résumé into the season: 4,259 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, 1,174 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. That kind of dual-threat production is exactly why he’s become such a centerpiece for the Bills.
Buffalo finished 12-5 last season, then made major changes after Sean McDermott was fired as head coach and Joe Brady was promoted to head coach. The Bills also had a busy offseason, acquiring D.J.
Moore from the Chicago Bears and signing Bradley Chubb and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency.
Now the pressure shifts to results. With Cook, Moore and Josh Allen leading the charge, Buffalo is trying to finally break through and win a Super Bowl. The Bills’ 2026 slate includes games against the Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Bears and Broncos.
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For Buffalo supporters, the big adjustment is not just inside the stadium but around it, where entry points, parking patterns and road closures now matter as much as timing your arrival. The easiest move for fans planning a trip this year is to check the Bills information before leaving home, because the old routine is not necessarily the right one anymore. [Read more 🡒]
Bills Have A Backfield Battle Fans Should Be Watching Closely
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For Wheeler, the task now is less about flash and more about showing he can handle the details, from learning the playbook to making his mark on special teams. That kind of path is often what keeps an undrafted or lesser-known runner in the mix deep into camp, and it gives Buffalo another intriguing name to watch as the competition unfolds. Wheelers preparation has put him in position to keep pushing, and the next stretch will show whether he can turn that early attention into something lasting. [Read more 🡒]