Who Should I Start? Kenneth Walker III or James Cook

Friday, September 5, 2:17 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III will open the season as the starter against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker is coming off a season in which he performed as an RB1 when healthy. Walker's targets were way up, which helped provide him with a solid baseline in fantasy. He draws a solid matchup in Week 1 against a 49ers team that allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. That number figures to improve with Robert Saleh back as the team's defensive coordinator, but Walker should have lanes to run through. The Seahawks' offensive line is improved, and the team's offensive coaching staff changes suggest a serious commitment to the run. Walker may cede some work to backup Zach Charbonnet, who has made huge strides as a player, but Walker's big-play ability should keep him among the league's best options at the position if he can stay healthy. As such, Walker is an RB2 with RB1 upside in Week 1.

Thursday, September 11, 2:08 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is fully healthy heading into Week 2 after logging a full practice Thursday and being removed from the injury report. Cook was heavily involved in the Bills' offense during their season opener against Baltimore, racking up 44 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding five catches for 58 yards through the air. His dual-threat ability makes him a valuable piece in both real-life and fantasy football, as Josh Allen and the Bills continue to rely on his versatility. With a pivotal divisional matchup against the New York Jets on deck, Cook's role should once again feature high usage, giving him strong appeal as a locked-in RB2 with upside in PPR formats.