Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Cook is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to Ray Davis's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. James Cook outscored Ray Davis by 9.0 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. Ray Davis profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track James Cook and Ray Davis in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ray Davis

PPG

7.8

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Ray Davis

Head to Head

16.8 PPG7.8 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Ray Davis: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Ray Davis at 35%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Ray Davis: The Full Breakdown

James Cook and Ray Davis are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Buffalo Bills running back averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025, a full 9.0 points per game ahead of Ray Davis's 7.8 with the Buffalo Bills. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 9.0 points favors James Cook, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Ray Davis posted 425 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Cook has his bye in Week 7, and Ray Davis rests in Week 12. 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

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ray Davis is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Ray Davis (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Ray Davis by a projected 153 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Ray Davis's 15. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Cook vs Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Cook	Ray Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	7.8
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	117
Rushing Yards	1,621	425
Rush Yds/Game	95.4	28.3
Rushing TDs	12	3
Receptions	33	22
Receiving Yards	291	168
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	14	4
Age	26	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 12

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 7.8 for Ray Davis in 2025. The baseline favors James Cook, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on James Cook vs Ray Davis

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 James Cook vs Ray Davis

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 James Cook or Ray Davis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Ray Davis's 7.8 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 Ray Davis average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 9.0 points per game.

When are James Cook and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Ray Davis (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Cook or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored Ray Davis by 9.0 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.