Buffalo Bills: 3 unfair expectations for James Cook in 2023

Unfair expectation for Buffalo Bills RB James Cook in 2023: Repeat his 5.7 YPC from 2022

A lot of Bills fans will be quick to point out the fact that Cook averaged an impressive 5.7 yards per carry as a rookie. And, while that's a great number, it simply isn't sustainable. Cook was given just 89 carries last year and ended with 507 yards. If you were to tell me that Cook is going to average 5.7 yards per carry and be given over 200 carries on the year, that would be a pretty bold sentiment.

Fair expectation for Buffalo Bills RB James Cook in 2023: Reach 4.8 YPC

Singletary averaged 4.6 yards per carry last year as the team's primary runner. Singletary also averaged 1.5 yards after contact. With Cook taking over as the primary running back this coming season, there's reason to believe he can still get to a respectable 4.8 yards per carry, mostly because of a couple particular numbers.

First, Cook averaged 2.0 yards after contact, proving to be much more valuable in that aspect than Singletary. Secondly, Cook's breakaway run rate was 12.1 percent last year, compared to someone like Damien Harris' 3.8 percent last year and 6.9 percent in 2021. Cook is more elusive and explosive, which is why he should still be able to average a healthy 4.8 yards per carry this coming season.