The Buffalo Bills’ backfield presents one of the most intriguing fantasy football scenarios heading into the 2025 season. James Cook’s explosive 16-touchdown campaign in 2024 propelled him into RB1 territory, but questions linger about whether that touchdown pace is sustainable with emerging threat Ray Davis breathing down his neck.
Cook’s recent contract extension may have solidified his role for now, yet the back-loaded deal and Davis’s impressive rookie showing suggest this backfield competition is far from settled. Fantasy football managers drafting in the early rounds will need to carefully weigh Cook’s proven upside against the risk of regression and increased competition.
James Cook Fantasy Outlook
James Cook took a step forward in fantasy last season, jumping to an RB8 finish after landing four spots lower in 2023. But while the Bills star scored an extra 34 points in 2024, you could be forgiven for expecting a bigger jump given that he scored an additional 12 touchdowns.
With the player’s contract dispute now dealt with, the biggest red flag surrounding the runner is the likely regression from his 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. Cook scored just two rushing touchdowns in 2023, despite having 30 more attempts.
James Cook goes 46 yards to the HOUSE.
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Second-year back Ray Davis is a serious threat to Cook’s goal-line work moving forward, after impressing with his opportunities last year. The then-rookie’s 113 carries weren’t insignificant, and it would surprise no one if he ate into his teammate’s opportunities even more in 2025.
The team’s decision to extend Cook gets him on the field, at least, but the fact that Cook had to force their hand, after they had been so generous with extensions throughout the offseason, is a concern. The contract is back-loaded and has no guaranteed money beyond 2026, suggesting Cook’s future isn’t as secure as it seems at first glance.
Cook should still be able to put up RB2 numbers in Buffalo, with some RB1 weeks thrown in. He’s not a can’t-miss prospect in Round 3, though, considering some of the receivers being drafted around him and the running backs being taken a round or two later.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
Ray Davis Fantasy Outlook
Ray Davis is a player I wasn’t too interested in until I started digging. Obviously, being attached to the Bills’ offense is a massive boom for any player, but RBs have become more appealing under OC Joe Brady. James Cook broke out in a big way last year with 16 rushing touchdowns, but he just surpassed 1,000 yards.Â
What others may have missed is that Davis had six total touchdowns himself despite being a clear backup.
For a while, it looked like Davis may be in for a bigger role while James Cook held out. That situation has been resolved, though it was a messy process that may have shed a better light on Davis, who was available throughout the process.Â
Cook returned with more than enough time to practice and prepare, so with that, Davis lost most of his value. He may get more usage in year two, but remains a high-value handcuff at best.
— Mason LeBeau, Fantasy Football AnalystÂ
