Who Should I Start? James Cook or RJ Harvey

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, 11:39 AM

Denver Broncos rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey didn't see much run in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, but it didn't stop him from scoring his first NFL touchdown in the 27-7 victory. Harvey only carried the ball three times for 18 yards while catching his only target for a two-yard gain. The 24-year-old was the starter in this contest with J.K. Dobbins not suiting up. His touchdown run went for eight yards up the middle to get the team on the board in the first quarter. The fact that Dobbins didn't play at all suggests he could have a leg up as the "starter" for the Broncos over Harvey, but make no mistake, Harvey is going to have a key role in Denver's backfield in 2025. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 with more home-run ability that Dobbins.