Who Should I Start? James Cook or Kaleb Johnson

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.

Saturday, August 16, 11:25 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson handled 11 carries for 50 rushing yards and hauled in his only target for nine yards in a 17-14 preseason loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Johnson once again struggled to find much room in the early going, but he managed to get loose a few times in the second and third quarters, including on a 14-yard scamper that marked the longest gain of his young NFL career. Although veteran halfback Jaylen Warren is primed to begin the campaign as the team's primary ballcarrier, Johnson, a third-round selection in April's draft, should mix in regularly and see an expanded role as the season progresses. His final audition before Week 1 will come against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday.