James Cook’s contract negotiations with the Buffalo Bills are far from settled, as he’s seeking a substantial raise to $15 million per year. The Bills have yet to meet the demands, leading to further uncertainty about his future in Buffalo. The recent move of listing his house for sale has sparked speculation about a potential change of scenery, and while it could be a personal decision, it’s hard to ignore the timing. As the Bills navigate salary cap space and the upcoming draft, Cook’s future role with the team remains in serious question.

Despite a solid 2024 season where he eclipsed 1,000 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, Cook’s fantasy value was heavily reliant on an unsustainable spike in touchdowns, with nearly 30% of his fantasy points coming from these scores. The presence of Josh Allen, who consistently vultures goal-line touchdowns, severely limits Cook’s red-zone opportunities. With emerging competition from players like Ray Davis and potential rookies, Cook’s role in the backfield could be in jeopardy. For fantasy gamers, Cook presents a high-risk, high-reward option, and with the uncertainty surrounding both his contract and workload, they should tread carefully when considering Cook for their 2025 rosters.

Author: Mike Lindberg (@FFCanuck99)