Who Should I Start? James Cook or Bucky Irving

Wednesday, August 13, 9:13 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is officially back in the fold after signing a four-year contract extension with his team on Wednesday. Soon after the signing was announced, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane told reporters that he views Cook as a three-down back. Beane said, "We do feel he can take more, but we like to use our three options and keep him fresh." Cook often lost passing-down work to Ty Johnson last season and only played on 48% of Buffalo's offensive snaps. It is unlikely that Buffalo installs Cook as their workhorse, as their running game was effective in 2024, but it would be a positive for fantasy managers if the Bills shifted some of the targets in the passing game onto Cook's plate. Either way, he sets up as a solid RB2 in fantasy with an RB1 ceiling if he starts catching more passes.

Sunday, August 17, 9:19 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving played the first three offensive drives during Saturday's preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Irving was one of the few offensive skill-position players to actually take the field on Saturday. The 22-year-old didn't have a ton of success as he rushed eight times for 12 yards on the ground. However, Irving made up for it with a 15-yard touchdown grab from Teddy Bridgewater. Irving is penciled in as the primary back in Tampa Bay with Rachaad White mixing in for carries as well.