CBS Sports writer disrespects James Cook in latest RB rankings list

We are so close yet so far away from the start of training camp. The good news is that we are less than a month from seeing the Buffalo Bills report for training camp at St. John’s Fisher College and then before you know it, the Bills will be running out on the field to take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. This is the time of the year where we see rankings list for each position heading into the 2024 season. There are controversial takes that people make but the good news is that the only thing that matters is what happens on the field.

At the same time, it is interesting to see these position rankings from various writers and analysts and see who makes it at the right spot and who is placed higher or lower than they should be. Garrett Podell from CBS Sports created a top 20 rankings list with a focus on the running back position. We all know that the obvious number running back on this list is none other than Christian McCaffrey. It’s not even debatable. While players like Derrick Henry, Kyren Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs made the list respectfully, Podell made a big mistake when it came to James Cook of the Bills.

Podell placed Cook outside of the top 20 on the rankings list.

On this list, Cook was mentioned as an honorable mention with players like David Montgomery, Rhamondre Stevenson and Alvin Kamara. As a matter of fact, Cook was beat out by Steelers’ running back Jaylen Warren who had less total yards than Cook. 

For the first time since LeSean McCoy, the Bills had a running back rush for over 1,000 yards last season with Cook and he has a big year coming for him in 2024, just a year out from his contract year with the Bills. Not only can Cook become an x-factor for the Bills in the rushing attack, but he played a big role in the receiving game down the stretch last season. Bills fans should be excited to see what Cook can do in his second year as a full time starter in Joe Brady’s offense with a quarterback in Josh Allen.