James Cook vs Rhamondre Stevenson: Who Should You Start?
Deciding between James Cook and Rhamondre Stevenson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills running back put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots averaged 11.6 in 14. A 5.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.
The per-game difference of 5.2 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; Rhamondre Stevenson posted 603 and 7. 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 12, and Rhamondre Stevenson rests in Week 14. 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.
