Who Should I Start? Jaylen Warren or James Cook III


Week 6 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
15.9 73.7 0.3 3.2 28.1 0.1

Jaylen Warren News

Jaylen Warren is the Steelers' Featured Player Right Now

Wednesday, October 14, 6:23 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has become the team's featured player over the last three weeks with Rico Dowdle sidelined with a dislocated toe. Head coach Mike McCarthy called Warren "our featured player" on Monday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. The 27-year-old has really stepped up for Pittsburgh's offense with more touches, going for 490 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in the last three games on 61 touches. McCarthy envisioned more of a 50-50 split with Warren and Dowdle going into the regular season, but Dowdle's toe injury might have McCarthy rethinking his backfield plan for the rest of the season. Dowdle has a shot to return this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, but even if he does, Warren has worked his way into must-start status in all fantasy football leagues. Going into Week 6, Warren has been a top-10 back with 70 carries for 410 yards and a touchdown while adding 19 receptions for 230 yards and another score through the air. The former undrafted free agent from Oklahoma State is easily on pace for his first 1,000-yard rushing season if he can stay healthy.


Week 6 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
17.9 97.4 0.8 1.6 12.6 0.1

James Cook III News

James Cook III in Danger of Losing Carries

Tuesday, October 13, 1:34 PM

Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady said on Tuesday that star running back James Cook III could be in danger of losing carries in the backfield if his ball-security issues continue, according to Bills insider Alex Brasky. "We're putting the ball in harm's way. It's negating all the positive. I have confidence in him. At some point there has to be consequences. It's gotta improve or the carries are gonna decrease," Brady said. The 27-year-old had a big night in the overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night in Week 5, carrying the ball 10 times for 121 yards and a touchdown while adding one catch for seven yards, but he put the ball on the ground twice, losing one in overtime that luckily did not cost the Bills the game. Cook continued to pick up chunk gains on the ground for Buffalo against an underperforming Rams defense, and he is already up to five rushing TDs through five games after scoring 28 times on the ground in the last two years. He has three straight 1,000-yard seasons and already had reached the 100-yard mark in three of five games in 2026. Cook is a must-start RB1 in fantasy, but Ty Johnson and Ray Davis could steal more work away if the fumbles continue to happen.


Jaylen Warren vs. James Cook III

Still trying to decide between Warren and Cook III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jaylen Warren is projected to score 15.9 points this week while James Cook III is projected to score 17.9 points.