Bills rookie RB James Cook led the team in rushing attempts in Monday night's lopsided win over the Titans, but nearly all of that came after starters had left the game. Cook handled Buffalo's final 9 carries, with Case Keenum at QB, finishing with 11 rushes for 53 yards. Devin Singletary carried 6 times for 19 yards and led the backfield in targets (4). He caught 2 passes for just 2 yards. Zack Moss added 17 yards on 3 carries. He and James Cook each saw 1 catchless target.
As expected, Devin Singletary led the Bills backfield in Thursday night's opener vs. the Rams. He played 59% of the offensive snaps and handled 8 carries and 2 targets. RB Zack Moss played a bigger role than we expected, registering a 38% snap rate, 6 carries and 6 targets. Rookie RB James Cook lost a fumble on his 1st touch of the night and ended up playing just 2 more snaps the rest of the way. This is shaping up as an ugly situation for fantasy football. Singletary is the best bet for now but is no more than a RB3 or flex. Moss is worth a bench spot in leagues of 12+ teams. Ditto for Cook, whose role still figures to grow throughout the season.
"The Bills’ running back corps has all the potential to devolve into a muddy three-person committee dependent on the situation and riding the hot hand," The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia writes. We know RBs Devin Singletary and James Cook will have a role in this backfield, but Buscaglia believes RB Zack Moss could be an "early-down threat to Singletary" and the goal-line back. That, of course, would put a major dent in Singletary's fantasy value. Buscaglia also says that Cooks' role "could be smaller than some expect."
The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia notes that Bills RB Zack Moss "has worked in with the Josh Allen-led offense every day, which shows he is still very much a part of the running back discussion for 2022." Buscaglia specifically mentions short-yardage situations as an area where Moss could make an impact. We're still not banking on him being a fantasy factor this season without an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. But Moss could be a drain on James Cook and, especially, Devin Singletary if he vultures goal-line carries.
NFL insider Albert Breer writes that the Bills view RB James Cook as “more than just a passing-down back.” Per Breer, the Bills see similarities between James and brother Dalvin. A smooth mover with strong hands, the Georgia product could quickly work his way into the RB2 (PPR) conversation. For now, he’s best drafted as an RB3/FLEX.
The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia writes that the Bills’ coaching staff “remains firmly behind” RB Devin Singletary “as an important piece to the [backfield] puzzle.” Buscaglia expects Singletary to remain the “lead back by playing time” over late-Round 2 pick James Cook. The veteran likely cemented his role with a strong end to 2021, rushing 102 times for 430 yards and 8 scores over his final 6 games (playoffs included). However, Cook’s arrival does make Singletary a virtual lock to fall shy of his 40 catches from 2021. Current projections have him slated for only 25 catches.
Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia described RB Dalvin Cook’s pass catching as “smooth” in OTAs.“It wouldn’t be a surprise to envision him having a role just a bit bigger than a normal complementary back,” Buscaglia wrote. All indications are that Cook’s off to a strong start in Buffalo. He checks in as a top-40 RB in redraft.
Bills GM Brandon Beane loves rookie RB James Cook's pass-catching ability. "He's got really good hands," Beane said. "Very instinctive in the pass game ... Some guys just have the feel like a slot receiver. It's the feel of what you're getting -- whether to sit down in zone or run by your man. He's got speed ... You can feel his speed with the ball in his hands." Cook is the favorite to immediately take over as Buffalo's primary pass-catching back ahead of Devin Singletary. The big question is how much rushing volume he'll garner. Cook goes just 199 pounds and never topped 113 carries across 4 college seasons. "We see his best skill set as a sub back, but I think he can handle carries too if we wanna give him some more carries," said Beane.
Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes that Bills RB James Cook “will likely jolt a dormant screen game that has struggled for years since Sean McDermott became the head coach.” Last year, Buffalo couldn’t trust any RB not named Devin Singletary. With Singletary set for unrestricted free agency next year, the front office made a proactive move by adding arguably the most dynamic back in this class. A dangerous receiver, Cook could push for 30+ catches in year 1.
The Bills selected RB James Cook in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. Cook brings incredible raw speed and burst, and he showed it at the Combine with a 4.42 forty-time. He’s not a pure tackle-breaker at only 200 pounds, but Cook effectively plays a slashing style similar to Alvin Kamara. Sharing touches with fellow rookie RB Zamir White, Cook tallied 113-728-7 (6.4 yards per carry) and 27-284-4 (10.5 yards per catch) as a 2021 senior. He’ll factor into Buffalo’s 2022 backfield with clear pass-catching upside. Note that Devin Singletary is entering a contract season.
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