Who Should I Start? James Cook or Malik Nabers

Friday, September 5, 1:23 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he unexpectedly tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing touchdowns after tallying just two in the previous season. He also surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground for the second year in a row, but fantasy managers may have to temper expectations in Week 1. Cook is set to battle the Baltimore Ravens, who boasted the league's top-ranked run defense last season, when the teams kick off Sunday. The Ravens held opposing rushers to a paltry 3.6 yards per carry - a far cry from Cook's 4.9 YPC. Cook faced the Ravens twice in 2024 and combined for 106 yards on 26 carries, four catches for another 24 yards, and zero scores. The explosive 25-year-old enters 2025 as a high-end RB2 in fantasy, but with the Ravens standing in his way, Cook may not storm out of the gates in the opener.

Friday, September 5, 3:00 PM

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (back) was not given a game status on the team's final Week 1 injury report despite sitting out Friday's practice. With no injury designation, he is expected to be a full go on Sunday when the Giants open their season against the Commanders. Nabers has experienced minor ailments throughout training camp, and he missed Friday's practice due to back tightness. It appears, though, that the team is taking an extra cautious approach with their Pro Bowl receiver, and all signs point to him getting a full workload on Sunday. Nabers was electric as a rookie, making 109 catches in only 15 games, and reports out of Giants' camp indicate that he hasn't missed a beat with Russell Wilson now under center. Nabers should be started without hesitation, and he has a strong chance of being one of the week's highest scoring receivers.