Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Quinshon Judkins

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 Quinshon Judkins by 5.6 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. Quinshon Judkins 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

RBCleveland Browns#23

Quinshon Judkins

PPG

11.2

Games

Rush Yds

827

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

171

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Quinshon Judkins

Head to Head

16.8 PPG11.2 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Quinshon Judkins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #23 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Quinshon Judkins at 51%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Quinshon Judkins: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between James Cook and Quinshon Judkins is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills running back put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Quinshon Judkins of the Cleveland Browns averaged 11.2 in 14. A 5.6-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.6 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; Quinshon Judkins posted 827 and 7. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Cook has his bye in Week 7, and Quinshon Judkins rests in Week 9. 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. Quinshon Judkins 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. Quinshon Judkins (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Quinshon Judkins by a projected 95 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Quinshon Judkins'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.
•Quinshon Judkins is 4 years younger than James Cook (22 vs 26), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatCookJudkins

PPG (Half-PPR)16.811.2

Games Played1714

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286157

Rushing Yards1,621827

Rush Yds/Game95.459.1

Rushing TDs127

Receptions3326

Receiving Yards291171

Targets4036

Total TDs147

Age2622

Experience3 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 9

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 11.2 for Quinshon Judkins 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 Quinshon Judkins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Quinshon Judkins's 11.2 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 James Cook and Quinshon Judkins average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Quinshon Judkins averaged 11.2 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.6 points per game.

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

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

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

James Cook outscored Quinshon Judkins by 5.6 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.