A Coaching Change Has Led To James Cook’s Breakout
The James Cook Career Stats Are About To Explode With New Offensive Coordinator
James Cook
James Dalvin Cook
Buffalo Bills4
24 years old (09-25-1999)
5 ft 11 in
Miami, Florida, USA
Runnig Back
2022/ Round 2/ Pick 63
Nobody really thought anything of it. However, the Buffalo Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey on November 14.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen was struggling with the offense and giving away at least one interception per game under Dorsey.
Therefore, the Bills made the switch and made Joe Brady the interim offensive coordinator.
That interim tag could be removed by the end of the year.
Since Brady took over as offensive coordinator, the Bills have gone 3-1 and have scored at least 31 points in three of four NFL games. The only loss came against the Eagles in overtime, 37-34. It was another fantastic offensive output by the Bills.
But while the offensive coordinator change was made for Josh Allen, it’s actually benefitted James Cook more than anything.
Since Brady took over, Cook has seen at least three targets and ten rushing attempts per game. Against the Cowboys last weekend, Cook added 25 carries for 179 yards. He also caught two balls for 42 yards and earned two total touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry.
James Cook will help many fantasy owners in the NFL playoffs in the next few weeks.
Let’s take a look at the James Cook career stats below.
James Cook In College
Cook was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia.
He played four seasons with the Bulldogs and added 230 carries for 1,503 yards in four seasons. That doesn’t sound so appealing. However, he also added 730 yards on 67 receptions in college, where he averaged 10.9 yards per catch.
Cook totaled 20 touchdowns in four seasons and added 2,233 total yards on 297 plays. That was an average of 7.5 yards a play.
At Georgia, the Bulldogs typically have multiple backs getting work. Georgia made sure to keep everyone fresh. However, Cook proved he was a capable pass catcher and a prominent running back. That made him stand out more compared to other running backs.
Therefore, the Bills took a chance on Cook in 2022.
James Cook Career Stats
In his rookie season, Cook played 16 games but earned only 89 carries for 507 yards. He averaged 5.7 yards a carry and scored two rushing touchdowns. However, he was behind Devin Singletary on the depth chart.
Buffalo allowed Singletary to find a new home this season and made Cook the lead back for the Bills.
He’s still maintained over five yards per carry with the additional workload. He’s also earned nearly 11 yards per catch this season.
In total, Cook has added six touchdowns with over 1,300 yards. He’s also got a few more games left on the schedule to improve these stats.
Take a look at the James Cook career stats below.
| James Cook | Career Stats |
|---|---|
| GP | 30 |
| CAR | 277 |
| YDS | 1,475 |
| AVG | 5.3 |
| RUSH TDS | 4 |
| REC | 61 |
| REC YDS | 613 |
| AVG | 10.0 |
| REC TDS | 5 |
This is only Cook’s second season in the league. However, he’s on pace to earn a 1,000-yard season, needing only 32 more yards on the ground to achieve that.
But he’s more than just a runner. Cook has earned 40 catches, which is double what he hauled in last NFL season. With 47 targets, he’s added 433 yards receiving and has averaged over 10 yards per catch.
| James Cook | 2023 Stats |
|---|---|
| GP | 14 |
| CAR | 277 |
| YDS | 968 |
| AVG | 5.1 |
| RUSH TDS | 2 |
| REC | 40 |
| REC YDS | 433 |
| AVG | 10.8 |
| REC TDS | 4 |
James Cook’s Breaking Out!
Cook is super dynamic for the Bills. He can do so much in the passing game but is also a very effective runner. You rarely find an NFL player who can rush for more than five yards a carry in consecutive seasons. It’s rare. But Cook is about to do that this season.
He just added 25 carries for 179 yards against one of the best defenses in the NFL. He’s also earned a touchdown in three of the last four games, thanks to Joe Brady.
This change at offensive coordinator with Joe Brady has been a huge game-changer. Brady is best known for his time at LSU with Joe Burrow when LSU won the National Championship.
His offense was so elite that Clyde Edwards-Helaire was a first-round pick as the former running back for LSU during that season. Brady found effective ways to get Edwards-Helaire involved, and now he’s doing the same with Cook.
The only downside to Cook is that he doesn’t get goalline carries. Instead, around the red zone, Latavious Murray receives the call. That’s why his touchdowns are lacking despite earning so many yards. He could have a major run into the red zone and then be taken out instantly with Murray. That’s how Buffalo’s offense has been all season long.
Eventually, Cook will work up to being the main guy around the goal line. But it hasn’t happened yet. That would be the next portion of Cook’s growth.
After all, he’s only been in the league for two seasons and has played 30 games. The growth is coming.
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