4 Buffalo Bills that will turn heads in training camp

James Cook

This year’s second-round James Cook gets welcomed to a Buffalo Bills backfield that has struggled to take the load off of Josh Allen in the run game. Even though Cook is a running back, there is a belief that Cook will help alleviate how much Allen is relied upon in the ground game.

I largely disagree with this sentiment and think that although Cook will help the Bills in the run game a little bit, his skillset offers them different opportunities to create big plays. Coming out of Georgia, Cook is one of the best-receiving backs that has come out of college in recent years. Additionally, he was able to have this success as a receiver for the National Champions, who played in the toughest conference in the nation.

Although the Bills need to improve the run game, there is a misconception that it has to come from handing the ball off. A significant play threat like Cook in the backfield can completely change how defenses play the Bills. While Devin Singletary is a very serviceable starter, the Bills are looking for more threats on the field to take the pressure off Allen.

I expect James Cook to have an impressive training camp and shine in offensive work with the Bills’ first and second-team offenses. Just look at a few of James Cook’s plays from this past season.

Cook is an excellent route runner with really soft hands. He has shown he can run routes from every position on the field. This is the type of versatility and big play ability the Bills have been missing from the backfield since Josh Allen’s rookie season when LeSean McCoy flanked him.