Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

D'Andre Swift vs James CookWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Cook is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to D'Andre Swift's 13.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

James Cook has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 3.6-PPG advantage is real (16.8 to 13.2), and James Cook's 14 touchdowns show scoring upside. D'Andre Swift is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track D'Andre Swift and James Cook in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBChicago Bears#16

D'Andre Swift

PPG

13.2

Games

Rush Yds

1,087

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

299

Bye

Week 10

RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

D'Andre Swift

James Cook

Head to Head

13.2 PPG16.8 PPG

16 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

D'Andre Swift: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #16 at the position). James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, D'Andre Swift is producing at 60% of elite pace and James Cook at 76%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

D'Andre Swift vs James Cook: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears) finished the 2025 season averaging 13.2 fantasy points per game in 16 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 3.6-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. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 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.

D'Andre Swift has his bye in Week 10, and James Cook rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. D'Andre Swift is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: D'Andre Swift (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored D'Andre Swift by a projected 61 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to D'Andre Swift's 16. That durability gap means James Cook contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•D'Andre Swift caught 34 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

D'Andre Swift vs James Cook: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	D'Andre Swift	James Cook
PPG (Half-PPR)	13.2	16.8
Games Played	16	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	211	286
Rushing Yards	1,087	1,621
Rush Yds/Game	67.9	95.4
Rushing TDs	9	12
Receptions	34	33
Receiving Yards	299	291
Targets	48	40
Total TDs	10	14
Age	27	26
Experience	5 yrs	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 7

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Cook holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.8 points per game. D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on D'Andre Swift vs James Cook

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on D'Andre Swift vs James Cook

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start D'Andre Swift or James Cook in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to D'Andre Swift's 13.2 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did D'Andre Swift and James Cook average in 2025?▾

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.6 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and James Cook's bye weeks in 2026?▾

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 10, and James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or James Cook a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored D'Andre Swift by 3.6 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.