As we close in toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move, with key events like free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft still to come. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of RB James Cook.
James Cook’s Dynasty Outlook and Value
Ask 10 different people the same question, and you would’ve received 10 different answers on what a successful season would look like for James Cook. In a relatively weak running back class, Cook received a ton of hype coming out of Georgia. However, I still can’t help but wonder: If you had changed the name on the back of the jersey, would that hype have still been there?
On the field, it was an up-and-down season for Cook. Accounting for just 31% of the RB rushing attempts, Cook carried the ball 82 times for an efficient 480 yards and two touchdowns. His 3.02 yards after contact per attempt ranked 28th in the NFL amongst running backs with 50 or more carries, and he recorded 19 missed tackles, with 13.5% of his carries going for 10+ yards.
However, where we expected more from Cook was as a receiver. He was the best pass-catching back of his class but couldn’t cut into Devin Singletary’s market share.
Cook saw just 30 targets compared to Singletary’s 51. The rookie hauled in 19 receptions for 174 yards and a touchdown. Cook’s 27% target rate per route run from Weeks 1-17 was the fifth-highest among all RBs with at least 30 targets in 2022.
MORE: Dynasty Rankings 2023 — Top Fantasy Options at RB
Based on the draft capital invested into Cook, especially when many people were pushing him into the first round in rookie fantasy drafts, his RB44 finish, despite him playing in 16 games in one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, was rather underwhelming.
While no one expected him to take a commanding share out of what would always be a committee, most managers were hoping for more than 101 touches and what should’ve been a high-octane role.
But at the same time, drafting Cook was more about the potential future than the initial return. Singletary is slated to become a free agent, leaving the backfield wide open for Cook to take over.
There were flashes of massive upside for Cook. In the four games where he saw 10 or more carries, he averaged 75.5 yards per game and 6.42 yards per carry.
I do expect Buffalo to either bring back Singletary on the cheap or add another running back for short-area situations, as Cook is not a between-the-tackles back and will always lack the touchdown upside of the game’s elite.
James Cook’s Fantasy Ranking
As an RB3 or Flex option, Cook makes a ton of sense, assuming he gets the role we expect in 2023 and beyond. Buffalo did invest second-round draft capital, so I don’t expect them to go early on the position again this season. However, this is crazy season, and nothing is off the table.
With that said, I’d feel safe if I had Cook on my roster, but I won’t exhale until we get through free agency and the NFL draft to ensure his role is locked up tight. There is undoubtedly some volatility in Cook’s dynasty value at the moment.
At the moment, Cook is the RB28 in PPR formats and comes in as the No. 93 overall player in Superflex rankings, where QBs receive an increase in value due to positional scarcity.
I believe Buffalo will bring in someone — perhaps Jamaal Williams or someone of the same skill set — to be the two-down RB with a specialization of being able to score against stacked boxes in goal-to-go situations.
If that happens, it wouldn’t even change Cook’s value, as that is not something we should be factoring in his range of outcomes. It’s more just deciding on who replaces Singletary, assuming he heads to another team in free agency.