Who Should I Start? Zamir White or James Cook

Saturday, November 22, 12:57 AM

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White continues to be a non-factor with his team, and he remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues. The 26-year-old has been a healthy scratch for five games in a row, and he's likely headed for his sixth consecutive absence in Week 12 as the Raiders take on the Cleveland Browns. Ashton Jeanty has control of the top spot in Vegas' backfield, while Raheem Mostert and Dylan Laube have edged out White for depth roles. In the four games he did play earlier this year, White averaged just 2.5 carries, 6.3 rushing yards, 0.8 catches, and 4.8 receiving yards. Even if one of the running backs ahead of White were to get injured, he'd likely still be a non-factor in all fantasy football leagues.

Tuesday, January 13, 7:00 PM

After finishing the regular season with an NFL-best 1,621 rushing yards, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had an underwhelming outing in his first game of the postseason. The 26-year-old was held to just 46 rushing yards on 15 carries and five receiving yards on two catches by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cook's regular-season track record should afford him the benefit of the doubt from fantasy managers. However, he will face another very difficult run defense in the Divisional round when Buffalo travels to Denver to take on the Broncos. The Broncos defense finished the regular season ranked third in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (3.9) and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns allowed (11). Additionally, Buffalo's already depleted pass-catching corps lost another two wide receivers in Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee), who both suffered season-ending knee injuries in the Wild Card round. As a result, Denver could be even more geared up to stop Cook and take away the run. Cook remains a high-end running back option, but fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations heading into the Divisional round.