Running Back Watch: 5 Rookies that are Flying Up the Depth Chart

James Cook (Buffalo Bills)

The next guy up is another second-round pick from the latest NFL Draft, James Cook. Cook spent his collegiate years in the SEC with the Georgia Bulldogs. On an offense with explosive NFL talent, Cook stood above all the rest, proving to be a spark plug any time that the unit needed it.

Cook is the brother of Vikings star running back, Dalvin Cook. The last name is not the only thing that these two have in common. As with Dalvin, James moves like a gazelle downfield. It can come off as hyperbolic, but the former Bulldog is a legitimate threat to score any time he touches the ball.

During his time in Athens, Cook played sparingly. That is, until his senior season. Cook reached a new career-high in carries (113) and turned the increased usage into a stellar 6.4 yards-per-carry number. He also recorded 27 receptions and tallied a total of 11 touchdowns over his breakout campaign, helping Georgia win a National Championship in the process.

The Buffalo Bills selected Cook with the No. 63 overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Immediately after Cook was taken in the draft, fans from all over the league began thinking about the way the explosive running back could elevate an already stout offensive unit in Buffalo. He’s proven to be more than “just” a pass catcher, which is a label he struggled to shake during the draft process.

The Bills still have Devin Singletary and Zack Moss rostered. The duo has taken the vast majority of carries since 2020, and even though their raw numbers look good on paper, they’ve failed to be true difference makers. Now, Josh Allen is armed with the most talented running back he’s ever had. Cook may not open the season as a starter, but the job will be his very soon.