Who Should I Start? Ray-Ray McCloud or James Cook

Thursday, March 14, 6:26 PM

The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent veteran wide receiver and returner Ray-Ray McCloud to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million on Thursday, according to a source. The Falcons have added McCloud and Darnell Mooney through free agency this week and Rondale Moore via trade to give the team much better speed and receiving depth behind No. 1 wideout Drake London. McCloud, 27, is known more for his returning skills on special teams and has just 90 receptions (134 targets) for 767 receiving yards and one touchdown in his six years in the NFL with the Niners, Bills, Panthers and Steelers. Buffalo's former sixth-round pick in 2018 out of Clemson will compete for a depth role at the receiver position in Atlanta this summer while also being a candidate to return kicks. He's off the fantasy radar.

Thursday, May 9, 2:20 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook bounced back from being benched last year and enters his third season in the NFL in 2024 as the unquestioned lead back with a giant gap between him and either Ty Johnson or rookie Ray Davis. Cook should continue to push toward some of the heaviest involvement the Bills have seen in recent years out of their top back. Johnson's game is similar to Cook's, so he'll likely have a game-day role when Cook needs a breather. The Bills are hoping Davis can add power and short-yardage ability, something the team has been wanting to add for years to the backfield. The 24-year-old Cook had a 1,000-yard rushing season in 2023 but added just two rushing TDs. What Cook lacks in scoring opportunities, he could make up for with his pass-catching abilities and sheer volume in 2024.