ScoutIndex

BUF BUF

James Cook

RB

A 2nd-round pick (63rd overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Georgia, James Cook has built an NFL career since. Now with BUF, he's in his 5th NFL season. By ScoutIndex Rating he was one of the top RBs in football last season, scoring a 80.9 (96th percentile). His yards/carry stands out most — the 99th percentile at the position. Across 5 NFL seasons, he has totaled 4,886 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns.

Size

5'11", 190#

College

Georgia

Draft

Rd 2, 63rd overall (2022)

Seasons

2022–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · RB

Methodology
89

98th percentile among RBs

6 games · 127 touches

Volume×0.1+2.31
Receiving×0.14+0.62
Total EPA×0.24+1.67
Conversion×0.1+2.84
Ball security×0.06-2.02
Yards/carry×0.12+3.14
Rush EPA/carry×0.24+2.24

Week 1 projection · @ HOU

Methodology
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush yds61.1 (18–104.1)51% 60.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rush TD0.6 (0–2)44% 0.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec2.2 (0–4)38% 2.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+
Rec yds22.6 (4.7–40.6)56% 20.5+

Mean (10th–90th percentile) · recent form × matchup. Informational, not wagering advice.

2026 attribute card

click a row to see the formula
AthleticismRushingReceivingImpact

group averages

Athleticism

Speed76▶

Percentile of 40-yard dash time among RBs at the NFL Combine (faster = higher), 2000–present.

Burst44▶

Percentile of vertical jump + broad jump among combine RBs.

Agilityno data▶

Percentile of 3-cone + short shuttle among combine RBs (faster = higher).

Size24▶

Height/weight z-score vs. the RB cohort (from official bio, not combine-dependent).

Rushing

Rush Efficiency97▶

Rushing EPA ÷ carry.

Yards/Carry99▶

Rushing yards ÷ carry.

Conversion99▶

(Rushing first downs + ½ rushing TD) ÷ carry.

Receiving

Receiving82▶

Receiving EPA ÷ target, plus a reception-volume bonus — the same formula behind the Rating's receiving component.

Impact

Ball Security8▶

Fumbles lost ÷ touch (fewer is better).

Volume97▶

Carries + receptions this season.

Efficiency96▶

Total EPA (rushing + receiving) per game.

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026BUF89662761089
2025BUF80.917162112332912
2024BUF81.116100916322582
2023BUF75.61711222444454
2022BUF74.1165072211801

Career profile

Across 5 NFL seasons on file, James Cook has played in 72 regular-season games, all with BUF.

He has rushed for 4,886 yards and 38 touchdowns. As a receiver he has caught 140 passes for 1,263 yards and 9 touchdowns. His most productive rushing season was 2025 with BUF: 1,621 yards and 12 touchdowns in 17 games.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2024: a 81.1, in the 97th percentile among RBs that year.

Career highs (regular season)

2026 splits

regular season
SplitGRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
Home3
364
121/g
3
3
1.0/g
12
4/g
0
Away3
263
88/g
3
7
2.3/g
77
26/g
0
In division1
75
75/g
1
2
2.0/g
8
8/g
0
Out of division5
552
110/g
5
8
1.6/g
81
16/g
0
In wins5
552
110/g
5
8
1.6/g
81
16/g
0
In losses1
75
75/g
1
2
2.0/g
8
8/g
0
On grass3
364
121/g
3
3
1.0/g
12
4/g
0
On turf3
263
88/g
3
7
2.3/g
77
26/g
0
Indoors3
263
88/g
3
7
2.3/g
77
26/g
0
Outdoors3
364
121/g
3
3
1.0/g
12
4/g
0

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 1HOU57 rush yds, 0 TD · 3 rec, 12 yds, 0 TD52
Week 2DET135 rush yds, 1 TD · 1 rec, 4 yds, 0 TD95.7
Week 3LAC154 rush yds, 1 TD68.8
Week 4NE75 rush yds, 1 TD · 2 rec, 8 yds, 0 TD71.6
Week 5LAR111 rush yds, 2 TD · 1 rec, 7 yds, 0 TD54.9
Week 6LV95 rush yds, 1 TD · 3 rec, 58 yds, 0 TD87.3

James Cook — common questions

What position does James Cook play?
James Cook is listed as an RB.
Which teams has James Cook played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), James Cook has played for BUF (2022–2026).
Where did James Cook go to college?
James Cook played college football at Georgia.
When was James Cook drafted?
James Cook was selected in round 2, 63rd overall, of the 2022 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has James Cook scored?
James Cook has 47 touchdowns in the regular-season games on file (38 rushing, 9 receiving).
What is James Cook's ScoutIndex Rating?
James Cook rated 89.0 for 2026, the 98th percentile among RBs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 2, 2022

Also from Georgia