Who Should I Start? Jonathan Taylor or James Cook III


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
18.6 89.3 0.8 2.6 19.5 0.1

Jonathan Taylor News

Jonathan Taylor Expected to Open Training Camp on Field

Tuesday, July 28, 11:22 AM

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is expected to participate when the team opens training camp Wednesday despite entering the final year of his contract, according to The Indianapolis Star. General manager Chris Ballard downplayed the possibility of a repeat of the contract dispute that disrupted Taylor's 2023 camp, saying the 27-year-old is "in a great spot." Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million extension in October 2023 and has said he would love to remain with Indianapolis for the rest of his career. He started all 17 games in 2025, rushing 323 times for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 46 receptions for 378 yards and two scores. That followed a 1,431-yard rushing season in 2024, giving Taylor consecutive years above 1,400 yards. Ballard declined to discuss negotiations but said the Colts continually work to retain their own players and would love to keep Taylor long term. No extension has been announced, but there is currently no indication that Taylor's contract situation will keep him off the field.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
16.2 82.8 0.6 2.0 16.6 0.1

James Cook III News

James Cook III Remains a High-End Running Back Option Entering 2026

Wednesday, July 22, 9:24 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III earned second-team All-Pro honors for his work in 2025, when he recorded 1,912 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns on 342 touches across 17 games. The 26-year-old has always been an uber-efficient rusher, and he saw his workload spike from 14.9 touches per game in 2024 to 20.1 touches per game in 2025. The Bills promoted former offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach ahead of the 2026 season and did not make any notable additions to their running back room, so there's little reason to think that Cook III's role in the team's offense will change. By measure of per-game PPR scoring, Cook III has been a solid RB1 in back-to-back seasons. Entering 2026, he remains a high-end running back option for fantasy managers in redraft leagues.


Jonathan Taylor vs. James Cook III

Still trying to decide between Taylor and Cook III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jonathan Taylor is projected to score 18.6 points this week while James Cook III is projected to score 16.2 points.