Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Omarion HamptonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Cook is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Omarion Hampton's 13.3 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 3.5-PPG advantage is real (16.8 to 13.3), and James Cook's 14 touchdowns show scoring upside. Omarion Hampton 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.

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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

RBLos Angeles Chargers#15

Omarion Hampton

PPG

13.3

Games

Rush Yds

545

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

192

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Omarion Hampton

Head to Head

16.8 PPG13.3 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Omarion Hampton: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #15 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Omarion Hampton at 60%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Omarion Hampton: The Full Breakdown

James Cook and Omarion Hampton are both viable fantasy running backs heading into 2026, but their 2025 production tells two different stories. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG across 17 games with the Buffalo Bills, while Omarion Hampton posted 13.3 PPG in 9 appearances for the Los Angeles Chargers.

A 3.5-PPG gap gives James Cook the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Omarion Hampton posted 545 and 4. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Omarion Hampton is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Omarion Hampton (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Omarion Hampton by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Omarion Hampton's 9. 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.
•James Cook caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Cook vs Omarion Hampton: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Cook	Omarion Hampton
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	13.3
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	120
Rushing Yards	1,621	545
Rush Yds/Game	95.4	60.6
Rushing TDs	12	4
Receptions	33	32
Receiving Yards	291	192
Targets	40	35
Total TDs	14	5
Age	26	23
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 7

Summary

James Cook outscored Omarion Hampton by 3.5 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 13.3). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or Omarion Hampton in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Omarion Hampton's 13.3 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 James Cook and Omarion Hampton average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Omarion Hampton averaged 13.3 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

Do James Cook and Omarion Hampton share a bye week?▾

Yes, both James Cook and Omarion Hampton share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is James Cook or Omarion Hampton a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored Omarion Hampton by 3.5 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.