Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Nick Chubb

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 Nick Chubb by 11.3 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. Nick Chubb 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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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

RBHouston Texans#59

Nick Chubb

PPG

5.5

Games

Rush Yds

506

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Nick Chubb

Head to Head

16.8 PPG5.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Nick Chubb: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #59 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Nick Chubb at 25%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Nick Chubb: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. James Cook put up 16.8 fantasy points per game for the Buffalo Bills in 2025, while Nick Chubb managed 5.5 across 15 games with the Houston Texans. A 11.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

The per-game difference of 11.3 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 Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Nick Chubb posted 506 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: James Cook sits Week 7 while Nick Chubb is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Nick Chubb is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Nick Chubb (age 30, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Nick Chubb by a projected 192 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nick Chubb'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.
•James Cook caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•James Cook is 4 years younger than Nick Chubb (26 vs 30), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatCookChubb

PPG (Half-PPR)16.85.5

Games Played1715

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)28683

Rushing Yards1,621506

Rush Yds/Game95.433.7

Rushing TDs123

Receptions3313

Receiving Yards29167

Targets4020

Total TDs143

Age2630

Experience3 yrs7 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 5.5 for Nick Chubb 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 Cook or Nick Chubb in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Nick Chubb's 5.5 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 Cook and Nick Chubb average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Nick Chubb averaged 5.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 11.3 points per game.

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

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Nick Chubb (HOU) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

James Cook outscored Nick Chubb by 11.3 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.