Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or James Cook


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
17.5 0.0 0.0 7.1 74.5 0.5

DeVonta Smith News

DeVonta Smith Ready to Break Out for Eagles in 2026?

Monday, March 2, 1:55 PM

The Athletic's Zach Berman writes that "there's an internal sentiment" among the Philadelphia Eagles that wide receiver DeVonta Smith "has another level he can reach," regardless of what happens with fellow wideout A.J. Brown. Smith's 113 targets in 2025 were the second-most of his career, and they still ranked 22nd in the NFL. Since entering the NFL in 2021 as a first-rounder (10th overall) out of Alabama, the 27-year-old is 77th in targets per route and 10th in receiving yards per target. Berman goes on to write that the Eagles' new scheme "must find ways to highlight Smith and diversify his routes." The easiest path to a potential breakout in 2026 is if the Eagles trade Brown. That would give Smith a clear path to WR1 duties in a new offense in Philadelphia with potentially even more targets from quarterback Jalen Hurts. If Brown stays with the Eagles, Smith will still be a fine fantasy target, but more of a boom/bust one.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
18.2 77.7 0.8 2.7 22.8 0.1

James Cook News

James Cook III Solidified Himself as a High-End Running Back in 2025

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.


DeVonta Smith vs. James Cook

Still trying to decide between Smith and Cook? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that DeVonta Smith is projected to score 17.5 points this week while James Cook is projected to score 18.2 points.