Buffalo Bills 2022 NFL Draft Prospect to Know: James Cook

One of the more popular prospects in this year’s draft class is former University of Georgia running back James Cook. The Buffalo Bills have reportedly been one of those teams interested in James Cook so let’s take a closer look at the player and how he might fit within this offense.

Measurables/Stats

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 190 pounds

Arms: 30 3/4″

Hands: 9 3/8″

In four seasons with the Bulldogs, James Cooks has 230 rushing attempts, 1,503 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns with 67 receptions, 730 receiving yards, and six receiving touchdowns.

This past season was by far his most productive with 113 rushing attempts, 728 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns with 27 receptions, 284 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. It was the only time in four years in college that he had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and double digit touchdowns.

NFL.com Scouting Report by Lance Zierlein

"Change-of-pace runner with vision and flow but a lack of functional play strength. The younger brother of Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, James has his brother’s one-cut talent and ability to stack cuts seamlessly through the second level. However, he is missing his big brother’s build, contact balance and toughness between the tackles, which will surely cap expectations and asks from an NFL club. His slashing style fits with outside zone and toss plays. He can also be used as a mismatch option as a pass-catcher. Cook has big-play ability but is unlikely to see his carry count get very high."

How James Cook fits with the Buffalo Bills

As Lance Zierlein notes, James Cook is unlikely to be Dalvin Cook but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a productive player in the NFL. In fact, the Buffalo Bills could be an ideal landing spot for the former Georgia Bulldog.

He is a player that has great versatility and in an offense that is very pass-heavy, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey can move him around the formation to create those mismatches. On the Buffalo Bills, he probably would be a player who would get most of his touches on receptions with the occasional rushing attempt.

Another concern for Cook, but could be seen as a positive, is the light workload he had at college. He has only 230 rushing attempts over four seasons, which is 38 less than Tyler Badie had all of last season.

The light workload appears to be by design for Georgia, which usually has an excellent group of running backs and the coaching staff rotates them regularly. When considering the Buffalo Bills already have Devin Singletary and signed Duke Johnson, having a player that knows how to be effective with limited opportunities, would be a great fit in this backfield.