30 most important Buffalo Bills players of 2025: No. 10 James Cook
Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2025, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year.
Next up on the countdown is James Cook.
Background
Position: Running back
Age at start of season: 25
Experience: Fourth year
2025 cap hit: $5,701,374
2024 recap
James Cook was part of a revitalized rushing attack by the Bills offense in 2024. After a stellar 2023 when Cook recorded 1,567 total yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, he followed that up with 1,267 total yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns in 2024. His 16 rushing touchdowns were tied for the most in the NFL and he made his second-consecutive Pro Bowl. However, a season with 18 touchdowns as a big-time playmaker in one of the league's best offenses led to contract demands from Cook.
2025 outlook
Cook's 2025 season should be similar to his previous two productive seasons, assuming he ends his "hold-in" prior to the start of the regular season. While playing only 48% of snaps in 2024, Cook averaged nearly five yards per carry and was among the league's best at his position in finding the endzone. He'll once again be relied upon to shoulder a bulk of the carries while sharing the field with third-down specialist Ty Johnson and second-year pro Ray Davis.
Biggest question: Business
Perhaps the most obvious question posed in the top-30 countdown; what does the future hold for the Bills and Cook amid ongoing contract talks between the two. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and has made it publicly known that he's looking for $15 million per season. The LA Rams and running back Kyren Williams recently agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal ($11M APY). Although the two RBs have comparable stats over the last two years, Williams is a year younger than Cook and plays about 85% of snaps for the Rams while Cook is around 50%. Cook has every right to want an extension, but $15 million or likely any number approaching that figure is probably out of range for general manager Brandon Beane. The Bills are heading into preseason Week 2 with Cook "holding in" and not partaking in practice or preseason games as he anticipates a new contract coming.
30 Most Important Bills of 2025
Check back as we continue to countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2025 season.
No. 30 DT T.J. Sanders, No. 29 LB Dorian Williams, No. 28 DT Larry Ogunjobi, No. 27 Alec Anderson, No. 26 DE A.J. Epenesa, No. 25 DT DaQuan Jones, No. 24 TE Dawson Knox, No. 23 WR Elijah Moore, No. 22 WR Joshua Palmer, No. 21 S Cole Bishop, No. 20 K Tyler Bass, No. 19 WR Keon Coleman, No. 18 G David Edwards, No. 17 DE Joey Bosa, No. 16 G O'Cyrus Torrence, No. 15 CB Max Hairston, No. 14 TE Dalton Kincaid, No. 13 LB Matt Milano, No. 12 DT Ed Oliver, No. 11 S Taylor Tapp.
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