Check out all of my previous articles alongside all preseason articles available here: Preseason Series, and make sure to use code DL10 for 10% off all memberships!
A key piece for the Bills remains in Buffalo as fans rejoice. Buffalo Bills RB James Cook is no longer disgruntled after ongoing contract talks that have been going on for quite some time have finally come to an end. Cook signed a new four-year deal worth $48 million that comes with $30 million guaranteed.
Recently, the Los Angeles Rams and Kyren Williams reached a deal of their own, 3 years $33 million, in what some are considering to be the benchmark for the James Cook contract. Cook, coming off a career year where he went over 1,000 yards for the second year in a row, averaged an astounding 4.9 yards per carry and contributed 18 total touchdowns for the Bills offense, 16 rushing and 2 receiving.
Is It A Good Deal?
The contract overall is right around market value for an RB of his caliber; his average salary will be close to Jonathon Taylor and Kyren Williams, as mentioned. Not McCaffrey, Barkley, or Henry money, but elite RB money nonetheless. Some may argue that paying an RB is never a good thing, and to that I point to the Philadelphia Eagles with Saquon Barkley and the Baltimore Ravens with Derrick Henry.
Both teams greatly improved on offense, and the Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl win against the formidable Kansas City Chiefs. The Bills may have taken this into account when working the numbers with Cook, as they simply can’t afford to lose any good player they have.
Friendly reminder of what James Cook did against the Chiefs in the playoffs:
What Does This Mean For Ray Davis?
With this new signing, it does keep Ray Davis slotted at RB2 for the foreseeable future. Davis himself had quite the rookie season in a very limited role in the Bills’ offense, but stepped up when Cook was missing time. It was thought that Davis may leap into the RB1 role if James Cook were to hold out into the season, and while he could’ve produced, he did still only average 3.9 yards per carry as a rookie.
There is still a place for Ray Davis in the Bills’ offense as HC Sean McDermott loves utilizing multiple backs, but Davis needs to work on two things this season if he wishes to see more snaps: his yards per carry, but most notably, his yards after contact. Davis isn’t as elusive as Cook, so he needs to be more physical and provide the Bills with a good 1/2 punch with Cook.
Check out our newest video on YouTube, where we discuss the fantasy football risers and fallers after the first week of the NFL preseason.
