Who Should I Start? Kyren Williams or James Cook

Thursday, December 18, 1:36 AM

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams has been terrific lately, and he'll look to extend his bout of success (as well as his three-game touchdown streak) during Thursday's Week 16 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams have made a significant effort to reduce Williams' workload so that he stays fresh for the playoffs, but even so, he has continued to operate as a mid-to-low RB1 in fantasy football. Over his last three games, he has 234 rushing yards, 23 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns. He owns a phenomenal average of 5.7 yards per carry during that span, and he's the overall RB9 in PPR leagues through 14 games this season. If Williams keeps up this pace, he'll be a top-10 fantasy running back for the third consecutive year. The 25-year-old's ability to produce on a slightly reduced workload has been terrific for fantasy managers, and that trend should continue in Week 16. While the Seahawks have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2025, Williams has shown that he is matchup-proof. In fact, when he faced the Seahawks just five weeks ago, he had 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. He ranks as the overall RB16 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings, but there's no doubt that he has top-12 upside. He should be started in all leagues ahead of Thursday Night Football in Week 16.

Saturday, December 20, 10:24 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had a monster game in Week 15, totaling 111 yards and three total touchdowns against one of the strongest run defenses in the NFL, the New England Patriots. Cook has ascended every season of his career, as he ranks second in the NFL in rushing (1415) behind only Jonathan Taylor. They face the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, who started the season as one of the best defenses against the run, but have struggled in recent weeks. Both Tony Pollard and D'Andre Swift had over 100 scrimmage yards and multiple touchdowns against this Browns defense, so watch for another explosive game from the fourth-year back. Cook is a high-end RB1 who carries as much upside as any back in the NFL in Week 16.