Who Should I Start? Clyde Edwards-Helaire or James Cook

Saturday, November 1, 2:09 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs have elevated running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire from their practice squad for the team's Week 9 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) out, Edwards-Helaire will give the Chiefs a little extra depth in their running back room. Veteran back Kareem Hunt should be expected to serve as the team's early-down and goal-line rusher, with rookie Brashard Smith mixing in in a gadget and passing-downs role. However, both Edwards-Helaire and Elijah Mitchell could steal a few touches away from Hunt and Smith. Edwards-Helaire has not appeared in a game yet this season. Across two games for the New Orleans Saints in 2024, he recorded 70 scrimmage yards on 16 touches. Edwards-Helaire should remain off fantasy radars heading into Week 9.

Friday, February 13, 7:31 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III solidified himself as one of the NFL's best running backs in 2025, racking up 1,621 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 309 carries across 17 games. The 26-year-old also impacted the game as a receiver, hauling in 33 receptions for 291 yards and two scores. Cook III has always been an efficient player, but he was able to reach new production heights in 2025 thanks to an increase in workload. After logging 239 touches across 16 games played in 2024, Cook III recorded 342 touches in 2025 and still averaged a highly efficient 5.6 yards per touch. Cook III signed a four-year extension with Buffalo before the start of the 2025 season, so he's locked in as the team's lead rusher for the foreseeable future. The Bills also promoted former offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, so it seems unlikely that the team would radically shift its offensive approach going forward. Now that he's proven he can handle a significant workload, Cook III profiles as a high-end running back option for fantasy managers in dynasty formats.