Who Should I Start? Patrick Mahomes or James Cook

Monday, August 18, 6:20 PM

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that he expects quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the starters to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Chicago Bears. The Chiefs typically haven't played their starters in the preseason finale under Reid, but they'll change it up and give Mahomes and the starting offense a few series later this week. The 29-year-old two-time MVP played only three snaps in the preseason opener but still managed to throw a touchdown. Mahomes is no longer a high-end fantasy QB1 after the Chiefs offense took a step back last year, with the six-time Pro Bowler throwing for under 4,000 yards for the first time as a full-time starter. KC's offense just lacked any kind of downfield threat due to injuries to their receiving corps. A bounce-back is possible, though, and the Chiefs want to get back to being explosive downfield as an offense.

Wednesday, August 13, 9:13 AM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is officially back in the fold after signing a four-year contract extension with his team on Wednesday. Soon after the signing was announced, Buffalo GM Brandon Beane told reporters that he views Cook as a three-down back. Beane said, "We do feel he can take more, but we like to use our three options and keep him fresh." Cook often lost passing-down work to Ty Johnson last season and only played on 48% of Buffalo's offensive snaps. It is unlikely that Buffalo installs Cook as their workhorse, as their running game was effective in 2024, but it would be a positive for fantasy managers if the Bills shifted some of the targets in the passing game onto Cook's plate. Either way, he sets up as a solid RB2 in fantasy with an RB1 ceiling if he starts catching more passes.