Believe it or not, James Cook has had a better start to 2026 than a season ago when he led the NFL in rushing yards.
And he’s done it despite defenses placing a relatively high priority on stopping him.
Through six games in 2025, the Buffalo Bills feature back had rushed for 537 yards at a 5.0 yards-per-carry clip. Through six games this season, Cook has 627 yards on the ground at a 5.4 yards-per-carry clip.
At this point of the season last year, Cook had seen 89.7% of his runs against seven or more
defenders in the box. On those runs, he averaged 5.08 yards per tote and had a 10-plus yard run rate of 12.4%.
This season, the percentage of Cook runs with seven-plus box defenders is up to 92.3%. He’s averaged 5.34 yards per carry on those runs with a 10-plus yard run rate of 21.9%. My word.
Beyond his incredible efficiency improvement from the high bar set in 2025, Cook has also been excellent this season against seven or more defenders in the box relative to his running back contemporaries.
Through Week 6, there’ve been 38 running backs who’ve carried the football 40 or more times against seven or more defenders in the box.
Here’s where Cook ranks in many rushing categories in those scenarios:
- 108 carries (2nd)
- 577 rushing yards (2nd)
- 5.34 yards per carry (3rd)
- 21.9% explosive run rate (1st)
- 55.6% success rate – 6th
He is 30th in yards after contact per rush in those scenarios at 1.82 yards. But that’s never been Cook’s speciality. His subtle cutting skills, flexibility, and breakaway speed are how he wins, although he has added more power and wherewithal through contact as he’s developed in Buffalo.
And I cannot finish this article before a noticeable hat tip to the Bills offensive line.
Against seven or more box defenders, Cook’s 3.52 yards before contact is far and away the highest average in the league. The running back’s own elusiveness is a factor there too.
There’s plenty of football left this season.
But right now, after winning the rushing title a year ago, Cook has actually gotten more efficient toting the rock. And he’s been among the league’s best even when the opposing defense is making a concerted effort to stop him by not providing him light boxes.
Stats courtesy of Fantasy Points Data*
