Where does Bills' James Cook rank among NFL running backs in 2026?
Where could Bills' RB James Cook rank among NFL running backs ahead of 2026 NFL season?
The Buffalo Bills are known for quarterback Josh Allen but running back James Cook is up there for the team, too. Cook signed a four-year extension last offseason worth $48 million. That average of his contract makes him tied as the running back with the 11th highest salary in the NFL heading into 2026.
Does Cook outrank that pay status? According to SleeperNFL, the answer is yes. However, Bills Mafia might think he deserves to be higher than the ranking.
Cook landed in the No. 8 overall spot in the outlet's running back list: SleeperNFL’s Top 10 RBs in the NFL: 1) Bijan Robinson 2) Jahmyr Gibbs 3) Christian McCaffrey 4) Derrick Henry 5) Saquon Barkley 6) De’Von Achane 7) Jonathan Taylor 8) James Cook 9) Ashton Jeanty 10) Josh Jacobs Is this list valid? 🤔 pic.
twitter. com/rINtk60KgK — SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 21, 2026 A big reason for thinking Cook is overlooked is his 1,621 rushing yards last season. That led the NFL in 2025, so thinking of a rank higher than eighth would be fair.