Buffalo Rumblings
The Pro Bowl running back wants to be paid like a top player at his position. But is he worth it?
The Buffalo Bills face a major decision regarding running back James Cook, who reportedly seeks a contract extension north of $15 million annually. Such a pay day would place him among the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, rivaling Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Christian McCaffrey.
While Cook’s 2024 season was notable — 1,009 rushing yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns — there are several reasons why committing to such a deal is poor business. The former Georgia Bulldog has gotten better year after year in his young career, and his recent body of work, especially in the playoffs, has made him a fan favorite for some.
Let’s be honest, though — Are we sure James Cook is a top-five NFL running back, and most importantly, an irreplaceable piece in the Bills' dynamic offense? He surely wants to be paid as so. Let’s dive deep into this conundrum, where I’ll point out why I wouldn’t budge if I were making this decision for the Bills.
James Cook’s inability to serve as a reliable third-down back undermines his case for a $15 million salary. In 2024, Cook played just 48% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps — far below elite backs like Barkley (68%) and Henry (62%), who are trusted in all situations. His struggles in pass protection relegated him to early down duties, with Ty Johnson handling third downs and two-minute drills.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave Cook a pass-blocking grade of 52.3 in 2024, placing him in the bottom third of starting running backs. This deficiency is critical in an offense reliant on MVP quarterback Josh Allen, who faces blitzes on 28% of dropbacks (per Next Gen Stats).
Cook’s receiving production is also inconsistent. His 32 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 aren’t bad for his usage. However, Cook’s six drops in 2023, including three potential touchdowns, and a 7.4% drop rate in 2024 speak to his inconsistency. His limited role in passing situations — 2.4 receptions per game under Ken Dorsey and 3.1 under Joe Brady — further shows that he’s not (yet) a complete back worthy of elite pay.
I can’t help but believe Cook’s 4.9 yards per carry and 16 touchdowns in 2024 were amplified by Buffalo’s offensive structure in general. The team’s offensive line, with all five starters playing over 1,100 snaps, excelled in run blocking.
Connor McGovern, who moved to center after Mitch Morse’s departure, and David Edwards, who took over at left guard, were key. THe line received a PFF grade of 78.6 for run blocking, with McGovern’s transition enhancing cohesion, and Edwards’ size and physicality improving the unit’s run block.
O’Cyrus Torrence is extremely powerful at that department as well, and that’s the strength of Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins’ games, with their movement skills...
