Who Should I Start? Jahan Dotson or James Cook

Monday, January 8, 6:30 PM

Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson concluded his disappointing second season in the NFL with just two receptions on three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 38-10 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the regular season. It was an improvement following his third zero-catch game of the year in Week 17 in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but Dotson was ultimately a big disappointment in 2023 after many fantasy experts predicted a breakout season in his second year in the league. He totaled 49 receptions on 83 targets for 518 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games, a slight step back from when he had a 35-523-7 line in 12 games as a rookie. Dotson and the rest of Washington's offense suffered from quarterback Sam Howell's struggles, and it could be an uphill battle for fantasy relevance again in 2024 with a new coaching staff coming in to replace Ron Rivera.

Monday, January 22, 12:31 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook started hot but faded late as his team was sent home in Sunday's 27-24 Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, carrying 18 times for 61 yards and catching four passes for 21 yards. With the Bills dominating on the ground in the first half, Cook picked up one chunk gain after another. But the Chiefs stiffened up to stifle Cook during the second half, leaving the 24-year-old with a fairly quiet evening despite his second straight week with 22 touches. Cook undoubtedly took a big step forward in 2023 -- garnering his first Pro Bowl nod and placing third at his position in scrimmage yards -- but his inability to find the end zone was a major shortcoming. Totaling five TDs on the season on 325 touches including the playoffs, Cook also failed to reach the 90-total-yard threshold in any of his final five appearances. That probably shouldn't prevent Cook from being selected as a top-12 fantasy RB, however, in 2024 drafts.