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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Cade Otton 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. Cade Otton (6.2 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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TETampa Bay Buccaneers#29
Cade Otton
PPG
6.2
Games
15
Rec
59
Rec Yds
572
Rec TDs
1
Targets
81
Bye
Week 9
RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER
James Cook
PPG
16.8
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,621
Rush TDs
12
Rec
33
Rec Yds
291
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Cade Otton
James Cook

Head to Head

6.2 PPG16.8 PPG
15 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Cade Otton: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #29 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 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB in most league formats.

Cade Otton vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Cade Otton (TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) against James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Cade Otton averaged 6.2 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.

Cade Otton has his bye in Week 9, 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. Cade Otton is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Cade Otton (age 27) 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 Cade Otton by a projected 180 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Cade Otton'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.
  • Cade Otton saw 81 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatOttonCook
PPG (Half-PPR)6.216.8
Games Played1517
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)93286
Rushing Yards01,621
Rush Yds/Game0.095.4
Rushing TDs012
Receptions5933
Receiving Yards572291
Targets8140
Total TDs114
Age2726
Experience3 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 9Week 7

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 6.2 for Cade Otton in 2025. The baseline favors James Cook, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Cade Otton or James Cook in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Cade Otton's 6.2 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 Cade Otton and James Cook average in 2025?

Cade Otton averaged 6.2 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 10.6 points per game.

When are Cade Otton and James Cook's bye weeks in 2026?

Cade Otton (TB) has a bye in Week 9, and James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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