Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jake Ferguson 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. Jake Ferguson (8.7 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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TEDallas Cowboys#14

Jake Ferguson

PPG

8.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

600

Rec TDs

Targets

102

Bye

Week 10

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

Jake Ferguson

James Cook

Head to Head

8.7 PPG16.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Jake Ferguson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #14 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) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB in most league formats.

Jake Ferguson vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Jake Ferguson (TE, Dallas Cowboys) against James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 PPG in 2025 over 17 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.

Jake Ferguson has his bye in Week 10, James Cook in Week 7. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jake Ferguson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jake Ferguson (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 Jake Ferguson by a projected 138 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jake Ferguson saw 102 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatFergusonCook

PPG (Half-PPR)8.716.8

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)148286

Rushing Yards11,621

Rush Yds/Game0.195.4

Rushing TDs012

Receptions8233

Receiving Yards600291

Targets10240

Total TDs814

Age2726

Experience3 yrs3 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 10Week 7

Summary

James Cook outscored Jake Ferguson by 8.1 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 8.7). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jake Ferguson or James Cook in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Jake Ferguson's 8.7 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 Jake Ferguson and James Cook average in 2025?▾

Jake Ferguson averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.1 points per game.

When are Jake Ferguson and James Cook's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jake Ferguson (DAL) has a bye in Week 10, and James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.