Who Should I Start? James Conner or James Cook

Thursday, May 29, 1:04 PM

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) took part in voluntary organized team activities on Wednesday. "I'm ready," Conner said. "We ain't doing this forever." Conner injured his right knee in Week 16 of last year and had six touches before being pulled in Week 17. The Cardinals placed him on Injured Reserve for the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the 30-year-old veteran appears to be fine now and ready to go for the start of the 2025 season this fall. He racked up a career-high 1,518 scrimmage yards on 236 carries while catching 47 of 55 targets in 2024. It was the healthiest Conner had been in his career, so fantasy managers definitely should expect some more missed time given his age and physical running style. For now, he's still being considered a workhorse back in Arizona, but more injuries could give Trey Benson more of a role eventually.

Thursday, July 24, 12:31 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, who is entering the final year of his current contract in 2025, said he never thought about holding out at training camp and is confident a deal will be reached eventually. "I'm never gonna give up. I deserve what I want. ... It's gonna get done, wherever it happens at," Cook said. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia easily had the best year of his career in 2024, rushing for 1,009 yards and a league-high 16 touchdowns on 207 carries while also adding 32 receptions for 258 yards and another two scores in 16 regular-season starts. With or without an extension, Cook is Buffalo's clear lead back, but Ray Davis and Ty Johnson aren't going away and will remain involved in an offense that likes to spread the ball around. One thing is for certain, fantasy managers cannot count on double-digit TDs again after Cook rushed for four touchdowns his first two seasons.