Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs James Cook

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. James Cook outscored James Conner by 5.8 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. James Conner profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

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

James Conner

James Cook

Head to Head

11.0 PPG16.8 PPG

14 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and James Cook at 76%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between James Conner and James Cook is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Arizona Cardinals running back put up 11.0 PPG in 2025 over 14 games; James Cook of the Buffalo Bills averaged 16.8 in 17. A 5.8-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.8 points favors James Cook, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 touchdowns; James Cook posted 1621 and 12. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Conner has his bye in Week 11, and James Cook rests in Week 7. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. James Conner is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored James Conner by a projected 99 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. 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.
•James Cook caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatConnerCook

PPG (Half-PPR)11.016.8

Games Played1417

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)154286

Rushing Yards7521,621

Rush Yds/Game53.795.4

Rushing TDs512

Receptions2833

Receiving Yards218291

Targets040

Total TDs614

Age-26

Experience-3 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 11.0 for James Conner 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 James Conner or James Cook in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 James Conner and James Cook average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 5.8 points per game.

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

James Conner (ARI) 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.

Is James Conner or James Cook a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored James Conner by 5.8 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.