Cam Skattebo vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?
Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Cam Skattebo (New York Giants) finished the 2025 season averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game in 8 games. James Cook (Buffalo Bills) came in at 16.8 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.
James Cook carries a 2.3-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Cam Skattebo ran for 410 yards and 5 touchdowns; James Cook posted 1621 and 12. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Cam Skattebo sits Week 11 while James Cook is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
