Who Should I Start? Kareem Hunt or James Cook

Friday, September 22, 1:22 PM

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that newly signed running back Kareem Hunt is "going to play" in his season debut in Week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. However, how much Hunt actually plays on Sunday will be determined. The 28-year-old was a popular waiver-wire pickup this week after Nick Chubb went down with a gruesome season-ending knee injury on Monday night. It's unknown what kind of shape Hunt is actually in, but all signs point to the Browns leaning on Jerome Ford as their lead back moving forward. If anything, Hunt will merely be a thorn in Ford's side as he steals valuable touches away, mainly in obvious passing situations on third downs. We wouldn't recommend using Hunt right away as a flex option in PPR leagues in his first game in 2023.

Monday, September 25, 12:47 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook took 15 carries for 98 yards with two catches (three targets) for an additional 14 yards in Week 3's easy 37-3 win over the Washington Commanders. The 24-year-old was quiet early on, registering only 28 yards on eight first-half touches, but positive game script may have aided his path following the first half. Cook produced a few 10-yard gains thereafter, spearheading an effective day with a 34-yarder to get inside Washington's five-yard line before veteran power back Latavius Murray eventually reaped the benefits on a touchdown plunge. Though, Cook was given a chance to cash it in himself on the preceding play, and the 2022 second-rounder saw a bit more work in the red zone on Sunday than he had up until this point. Perhaps finally earning some more high-value touches, Cook will be an RB2 with plenty of upside in Buffalo's Week 4 home battle with fellow AFC heavyweight Miami Dolphins.