James Cook vs Josh Jacobs: Who Should You Start?
Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Cook (Buffalo Bills) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.8 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) came in at 14.6 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.
James Cook carries a 2.2-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. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. 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: James Cook sits Week 12 while Josh Jacobs is off Week 10. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.
