RB · BUF · #4
James Cook
- Height
- HT 5'11"
- Weight
- WT 190 lbs
- Birth date
- Sep 25, 1999 (age 27)
- College
- Georgia
Played a short 2026 (1 games) — health is the nearer question than talent.
Picked by the Bills in 2022 via a trade with the Bengals.
Dynasty Value Score (DVS)
7,798
Range 7,074–8,509
Based on 2025 production and our 2026 projection
Peak window — still valuable, but age is already shaping the dynasty price.
DVS is our model view, scored on Engine-default half-PPR — not a guaranteed price in your league. Bye weeks and schedule strength are left out on purpose.
2026 Engine Projections
269.9 pts
15.9 PPG · 16.3 games
1338.1 rush yds · 40.5 rec · 352.7 rec yds
Dynasty Value Score over time
History starts Preseason 2026.
Player quality
Why this DVS moved off a raw projection.
Process ×1.01
Process residual (not a second production percentile).
Org environment ×1.02
Team pass/rush volume vs league — scheme residual, not a second projection.
Quick answer
WatchCook ran for 57 yards and caught 3 passes in 2026, finishing RB29. Recent form cooled from RB6 to RB29 — watch whether that's noise or a real step down. Only 1 games in 2026 — availability is the headline. Treat this as a watch, not a hold-forever — confirm the dip is real before adding more exposure.
NextDyne coverage
Dynasty notes from our blog that mention James Cook.
- StrategyNextDyne
AFC East Dynasty Fantasy Outlook 2026
A team-by-team dynasty breakdown of the AFC East for 2026 — Josh Allen, De'Von Achane, Drake Maye, and a Miami passing game that changed completely.
- StrategyNextDyne
Is James Cook a Contract-Year Riser or a Touchdown Mirage?
James Cook led the NFL in rushing yards in his first season after signing an extension. Here’s whether that workload sticks in 2026, or reverts to a committee.
- StrategyNextDyne
Is Josh Allen Still Dynasty's Top QB at 30?
Josh Allen turns 30 this year, and he's still dynasty's clear No. 1 QB, well clear of Jalen Hurts and the rest of the field. Here's why.
- StrategyNextDyne
Is Bucky Irving's Path to Volume Getting Blocked?
Bucky Irving played through a shoulder injury for most of 2025 and needed offseason surgery. Here's his outlook now that he's fully cleared, and the new competition behind him.
- StrategyNextDyne
Is Kenneth Walker III the Most Undervalued RB in Dynasty?
Walker just signed one of the richest RB free agent deals in NFL history. NextDyne's own season model still has him projected like a committee back. That gap is the buy.
- NewsNextDyne
Bills Extend O'Cyrus Torrence — How It Helps Josh Allen
Buffalo locked right guard O'Cyrus Torrence on a four-year, $78.4 million deal with $46 million guaranteed. Here's why that matters for Josh Allen in dynasty.
- NewsNextDyne
Jonathan Taylor's New Deal — Dynasty Bounce-Back?
Jonathan Taylor just signed a two-year extension with the Colts. Here's whether his RB2 bounce-back season, and the new deal behind it, hold up in dynasty.
- StrategyNextDyne
Ashton Jeanty Isn't a Bust — The Raiders Just Gave Him Actual Blockers
Jeanty had 815 rushing yards after contact as a rookie — 88.5% of his total. The Raiders finally gave him blockers. This is a massive buy-low opportunity.
2026 fantasy highlights
Half-PPR points
8.4
PPG
8.4
Positional finish
RB29
Key stats
- Rush yds: 57 (RB19)
- Rec: 3 (RB14)
Career (Half-PPR)
| Season | Finish | Half-PPR FP | PPG | Rush yd | Rush TD | Rec | Rec yd | Rec TD | Pass yd | Pass TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | RB29 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 57 | — | 3 | 12 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | RB6 | 285.7 | 16.8 | 1621 | 12 | 33 | 291 | 2 | — | — |
| 2024 | RB8 | 250.7 | 15.7 | 1009 | 16 | 32 | 258 | 2 | — | — |
| 2023 | RB11 | 210.7 | 12.4 | 1122 | 2 | 44 | 445 | 4 | — | — |
| 2022 | RB45 | 95.2 | 6.0 | 507 | 2 | 21 | 180 | 1 | — | — |
Career arc
Dashed bar is the 2026 Engine projection, not a completed season.
Recent games (2026)
| Week | Half-PPR FP | Opp | Script | Rush | Rec | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 W1 | 8.4 | HOU | 50 plays · 58% pass | 57 | 12 · 3 rec | 0 |
Week 1 Engine grade
Projected 16.0 · scored 8.4 half-PPR · outside the floor–ceiling band. Miss +7.6.
Those opponents
Rush yards they allowed per game in 2026, vs league. Plus is easier.
- HOU-29% · 86 rush yards
Usage and availability
Snap share
2025 offense · 57.2% mean
Pass-play participation
46.7%
2025· share of the team’s dropback plays this player was on the field for. Presence, not a charted route rate.
Advanced (2025)
- Yards after contact / att
- 2.2
- Yards before contact / att
- 3
- Broken tackles
- 21
Durability
- 202317 G
- 202416 G
- 202517 G
- 16.3 projected games — last three seasons at a full slate.
R2 (63 overall) RB · that slot hit at 56.8% in 2010–2023 classes (n=37; contributor 70.3%). Window is the first three NFL seasons.
Next Gen Stats
2025 season · Next Gen Stats · ranks among NGS sample
- RYOE / att
- 1.17yd
- Efficiency
- 3.24
- 8+ in box
- 30.4%
- Time to LOS
- 2.58s
2nd of 51
2nd of 51
16th of 51
6th of 51
Historical comps
Similar age, draft capital, and role — context for outcome bands, not a second DVS.
FAQ
- What is James Cook's dynasty value on NextDyne?
- Cook scores 7,798 out of 10,000. The score blends 2025 production with our 2026 projection. Superflex and TE Premium shift the rankings; the trade calculator shows how.
- What is James Cook's 2026 Engine Projection?
- We project 15.9 half-PPR points per game for 2026. That rate feeds Value Score — multiply by games and your league’s scoring if you want a season total.
- How are season fantasy points calculated on this page?
- Season totals and the recent game log use Half-PPR so every public profile matches our Engine board. Your league’s scoring shows up inside the app.
- Should I trade for James Cook in dynasty right now?
- Treat this as a watch, not a hold-forever — confirm the dip is real before adding more exposure. Run the actual numbers on the dynasty trade calculator before you commit — stance is a starting point, not a price.