The Buffalo Bills have been on a tear as of late, as they now have a chance to win their division despite being just 6-6 not too long ago. James Cook has been outstanding, but the Bills also made a move by signing Leonard Fournette.
For fantasy football managers, should they trust either of these two in Week 17?
Fantasy Outlook for James Cook This Week
Two weeks ago, Cook was the talk of fantasy football and the NFL after his career game against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished with a career-high 179 rushing yards and a touchdown. Last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, he had 20 carries for only 70 yards and no touchdowns.
Another disappointing stat from that game was that he had zero catches. That has been a big part of his fantasy appeal recently, as he has a receiving touchdown in three of his last five games.
He is still by far the focal point of the Bills’ rushing attack. He was on the field for 75% of the offensive snaps, which is a very solid number for him.
The Bills host the New England Patriots this week, and they have been awesome stopping the run. Teams are averaging only 84.8 yards, which is second in the league. However, this game is in Buffalo, and Cook’s numbers have been much better at home than on the road. All three of his 100-yard rushing games this season have been at home, and his 80.9 rush yards per game average is significantly higher than on the road (55.9).
Fantasy Outlook for Leonard Fournette This Week
Fournette is a guy that teams love to bring in late in the season, and last week against the Chargers, he was able to get the ball six times for 37 yards on only 10 snaps.
What Fournette gives the Bills is a big power back who can play a physical style of football you want to be playing in December and January.
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While he could definitely get the ball more on Sunday, it is hard to see him coming in and putting up numbers close to what Cook will.
Right now, he is a serviceable No. 2 running back option in the NFL, but when it comes to fantasy, he shouldn’t be in your lineup.
Should You Trust Either of the Bills RBs in Week 17?
In the Pro Football Network Start/Sit Optimizer, our Consensus Rankings say Cook is the player to start. His projected 14.9 points include 63 rushing yards and three receptions for 29 receiving yards. That projected stat line easily outperforms Fournette’s 3.2 points and Murray’s 5.3 points.
Yes, I know; Cook didn’t have the biggest week last week for the Bills. However, you could make the case that he has been as important to this comeback as any player on the team. The Patriots do have a very good run defense, but Cook’s ability to make plays catching the ball is another big factor.
Fournette is definitely a nice piece to keep Cook fresh in the fourth quarter, but he isn’t going to have the volume to validate having him in your lineup.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!