Who Should I Start? James Robinson or James Cook

Monday, January 8, 6:23 PM

The New Orleans Saints signed free-agent veteran running back James Robinson to a futures deal on Monday. The move to keep Robinson around heading into the 2024 season comes after he was added to New Orleans' practice squad in early December. The 25-year-old was brought in to provide running back depth behind Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller, who missed Weeks 10-17 with an ankle sprain. Before landing a deal with the Saints, Robinson spent time with the Green Bay Packers' practice squad and was active in Week 13, only to see one carry for two yards while catching one pass for a loss of two yards against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former undrafted rookie free agent had a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year in 2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars out of nowhere but hasn't been the same since and has been passed around the league as RB depth.

Monday, January 22, 12:31 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook started hot but faded late as his team was sent home in Sunday's 27-24 Divisional Round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, carrying 18 times for 61 yards and catching four passes for 21 yards. With the Bills dominating on the ground in the first half, Cook picked up one chunk gain after another. But the Chiefs stiffened up to stifle Cook during the second half, leaving the 24-year-old with a fairly quiet evening despite his second straight week with 22 touches. Cook undoubtedly took a big step forward in 2023 -- garnering his first Pro Bowl nod and placing third at his position in scrimmage yards -- but his inability to find the end zone was a major shortcoming. Totaling five TDs on the season on 325 touches including the playoffs, Cook also failed to reach the 90-total-yard threshold in any of his final five appearances. That probably shouldn't prevent Cook from being selected as a top-12 fantasy RB, however, in 2024 drafts.