Buffalo Bills star James Cook went up 69 spots on the NFL Top 100 players list.
Not only did Buffalo Bills star James Cook make the NFL Top 100 Players list again, but he also went up 69 spots.
In 2025, Cook was No. 89. This year? He's No. 20.
Cook played in all 17 regular-season games for the Bills in 2025. He put up 1,621 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 291 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. The three-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing yards per game.
In two games against the Jacksonville Jaguars and Denver Broncos in the 2025 playoffs, Cook racked up 163 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. The Bills beat the Jaguars but lost to the Broncos.
Cook enters the 2026 season with 4,259 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, 1,174 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns. He's one of the best dual-threat weapons in the NFL and the Bills are fortunate to have him.
Cook was ranked the seventh-best RB in the NFL by Bleacher Report's scouting department. He's one spot ahead of De'Von Achane of the Miami Dolphins and one spot behind Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens.
"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."
Buffalo went 12-5 last season. Sean McDermott was fired as head coach and Joe Brady was promoted to head coach. The Bills had a great offseason. The front office acquired D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears and signed Bradley Chubb and C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency.
With Cook, Moore and Josh Allen leading the way, it's time for the Bills to get over the hump and win a Super Bowl. It will be fascinating to see if Allen and the Bills can reach the promised land this season. Time is running out on Allen to win a championship. After all, he's not getting any younger.
In Year 1 of the Brady era, the Bills face 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.
