Former Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook was listed at No. 20 on the NFL’s top 100 players. Cook spent four total seasons in Athens from 2018-2021.
Cook was widely regarded as one of the top running backs in the NFL and was the best player in the Buffalo Bills’ backfield last season. The former Georgia star had a career year in 2025, as Cook recorded 1,621 rushing yards in addition to 12 total touchdowns. Cook is set to enter 2026 among the NFL’s top players after his stellar season in Buffalo, and the running back finds himself listed as the No. 20 player in the league.
Cook was originally the Bills’ second round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. The running back totaled 1,503 yards and 14 total touchdowns across his four seasons at Georgia,
and Cook played an essential role in the Dawgs’ 2021 national championship run as well. The former Bulldog has shown no signs of slowing down over the first four seasons of his NFL career, and Cook will now look to dominate once again across Year 5.
Georgia football is well represented on the NFL’s top 100 players of 2026 list. Jalen Carter, George Pickens, Roquan Smith and Brock Bowers were all featured in addition to Cook. The Dawgs will undoubtedly have at least NFL MVP and Los Angeles Rams quarterback in the top 20 as well.
James Cook makes the NFL's top 100 players list
RBU representing in the #NFLTop100 😤
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 17, 2026
James Cook comes in at No. 20#GoDawgs | #DawgsInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/BOzpJIx5Dc
Georgia players in the NFL 100
- Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (No. 20)
- Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter (No. 29)
- Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (No. 36)
- Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (No. 60)
- Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (No. 65)
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Former Georgia running back ranked in NFL's top 20 players
