Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Alec Pierce vs James Cook

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Cook (16.8 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Alec Pierce (10.7 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

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

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WRIndianapolis Colts#22

Alec Pierce

PPG

10.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,003

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Alec Pierce

James Cook

Head to Head

10.7 PPG16.8 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Alec Pierce: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #22 at the position). James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB in most league formats.

Alec Pierce vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Alec Pierce (WR, Indianapolis Colts) against James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Alec Pierce averaged 10.7 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while James Cook posted 16.8 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Alec Pierce has his bye in Week 11, James Cook in Week 7. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Alec Pierce is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Alec Pierce (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Alec Pierce by a projected 104 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Alec Pierce'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.
•Alec Pierce saw 84 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatPierceCook

PPG (Half-PPR)10.716.8

Games Played1517

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)161286

Rushing Yards01,621

Rush Yds/Game0.095.4

Rushing TDs012

Receptions4733

Receiving Yards1,003291

Targets8440

Total TDs614

Age2626

Experience3 yrs3 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Cook at 16.8 PPG, 6.1 points per game above Alec Pierce's 10.7. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alec Pierce or James Cook in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Alec Pierce's 10.7 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 Alec Pierce and James Cook average in 2025?▾

Alec Pierce averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 6.1 points per game.

When are Alec Pierce and James Cook's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alec Pierce (IND) has a bye in Week 11, and James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.