James Cook has established himself as one of the NFL’s top running backs and has earned plenty of praise for his performances. However, his brother Dalvin Cook believes the Buffalo Bills running back doesn’t get the respect he deserves, and there is a big reason why.
Dalvin Cook Sends Blunt Response as Dion Dawkins Appears to Overlook James Cook
In an appearance on the “Up & Adams Show,” Bills star Dion Dawkins discussed how newly acquired wide receiver DJ Moore could elevate the offense by giving quarterback Josh Allen another dependable target.
“[Josh Allen] doesn’t have to put it all on his back,” Dawkins said about Moore’s addition.
“When he has a player that he can depend on that’s going to get open. He could toss the ball. It’s cool. And now he has somebody that’s going to do that. And then also, I hate to say it. He actually just walked up, but even Joshua Palmer is finally fully healthy, and now we can truly see what he is and why he’s been brought here.
“If you’ve not been watching camp. He’s flying around. He’s confident. Yeah, you know last year. He was hurt. He got hurt. He couldn’t fully recover. Now, he’s flying around, beating guys deep ball over top scoring.”
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However, these comments did not sit well with many, who argued that James Cook has been the true driving force behind Buffalo’s offense due to his rushing production. Many felt Dawkins should have acknowledged that both Allen and Cook share the responsibility of carrying the team.
KC Sports Network’s Tucker D. Franklin criticized the comments in a tweet. “Did James Cook die and I miss it? No one loves disrespecting their star running back more than the Bills and their fans,” Franklin wrote.
Since James was wrecking defenses left and right last season, Dalvin also seemed triggered by the perceived slight and expressed his feelings with four laughing emojis:
“🤣🤣🤣🤣.”
James’ production has made him one of the Bills’ most valuable offensive weapons and arguably Allen’s top playmaker. He led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 before taking another leap in 2025. He rushed for 1,621 yards last season and became the first Bills player in more than five decades to win a rushing title.
James’ development has also been reflected in his PFN RB Impact grades, which have improved every season since entering the league.
After posting a 73.9 grade in 2022, he improved to 81.5 in 2023, 84.2 in 2024, and a career-best 85.5 last season, ranking fifth among all running backs. His ability to average 5.2 yards per carry while handling a heavy workload proves why he remains one of the league’s elite backs.
