Buffalo Bills star James Cook is among the best running backs in the NFL, but does he set the standard at the position?
CBS Sports ranked Cook No. 8 overall in their top-10 running back rankings ahead of the 2026 NFL season after he fueled the Bills’ offense in the ground game last season.
“It's rare for a player to combine a high explosive rush rate with a low negative play rate, but that's exactly what Cook did in 2025, posting the fourth-highest explosive rush rate and the lowest rate of rushes for 0 or negative yards in the NFL (min. 200 carries),” CBS Sports’ NFL experts said. “He has really improved throughout his career.”
Cook was sensational as a ball-carrier last season. He led the league in rushing with 1,621 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns
as well.
However, stars such as Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey exceed Cook as receivers, as both went for at least 800 receiving yards in 2025, which gives them an edge over Cook, who went for 291 REC yards, among the best at the position.
Bills Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 NFL season.
This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: Bills star James Cook lands in CBS Sports’ RB rankings for 2026
