Who Should I Start? Saquon Barkley or James Cook

Thursday, January 8, 10:57 AM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley finished the 2025 season with 1413 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on 317 total attempts. After totaling nearly 2,300 scrimmage yards in 2024, Barkley regressed, dropping from 5.8 yards per carry to 4.1 this season. Despite the Eagles' offensive struggles this season, they are in the playoffs and hosting the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round. The 49ers allowed the 10th-most fantasy points to running backs this season, and injuries to their defensive line and linebackers should open up lanes for Barkley. The defending champions relied heavily on their star running back in last year's Super Bowl run, and they are expected to do the same as they chase back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

Tuesday, January 6, 2:27 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook took two carries for 15 yards in an abbreviated appearance in the team's Week 18 win over the Jets. It was enough to keep distance between him and a surging Derrick Henry, with Cook ultimately securing his first regular-season rushing crown with 1,621 yards. Heading into the postseason, he should be viewed as one of the highest upside running backs in fantasy playoff leagues. Buffalo currently holds the fourth-highest Super Bowl odds in a wide-open AFC and is a slight road favorite over a 13-4 Jacksonville team that has been a headache for fantasy running backs throughout most of the season. Despite the tough matchup, Cook is RotoBaller's RB2 for the week, and he could be in line for a massive postseason if Buffalo can advance.