Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Oronde Gadsden II

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. Oronde Gadsden II (7.1 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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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

TELos Angeles Chargers#23

Oronde Gadsden II

PPG

7.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

664

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Oronde Gadsden II

Head to Head

16.8 PPG7.1 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Oronde Gadsden II: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #23 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

James Cook vs Oronde Gadsden II: Who Should You Start?

Comparing James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) against Oronde Gadsden II (TE, Los Angeles Chargers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Oronde Gadsden II posted 7.1 PPG across 15 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.

James Cook has his bye in Week 7, Oronde Gadsden II in Week 12. 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. Oronde Gadsden II 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. Oronde Gadsden II (age 22) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Oronde Gadsden II by a projected 165 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Oronde Gadsden II'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.
•Oronde Gadsden II caught 49 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Oronde Gadsden II is 4 years younger than James Cook (22 vs 26), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatCookII

PPG (Half-PPR)16.87.1

Games Played1715

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286107

Rushing Yards1,6210

Rush Yds/Game95.40.0

Rushing TDs120

Receptions3349

Receiving Yards291664

Targets4069

Total TDs143

Age2622

Experience3 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 12

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 7.1 for Oronde Gadsden II 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 Oronde Gadsden II in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Oronde Gadsden II's 7.1 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 Oronde Gadsden II average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Oronde Gadsden II averaged 7.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 9.7 points per game.

When are James Cook and Oronde Gadsden II's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Oronde Gadsden II (LAC) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.