Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Rhamondre Stevenson

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 Rhamondre Stevenson by 5.2 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. Rhamondre Stevenson 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

RBNew England Patriots#22

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

16.8 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Rhamondre Stevenson: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between James Cook and Rhamondre Stevenson is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Buffalo Bills running back put up 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; Rhamondre Stevenson of the New England Patriots averaged 11.6 in 14. A 5.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.2 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; Rhamondre Stevenson posted 603 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 Rhamondre Stevenson rests in Week 14. 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. Rhamondre Stevenson 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by a projected 88 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson'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▾

StatCookStevenson

PPG (Half-PPR)16.811.6

Games Played1714

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286162

Rushing Yards1,621603

Rush Yds/Game95.443.1

Rushing TDs127

Receptions3332

Receiving Yards291345

Targets4037

Total TDs149

Age2628

Experience3 yrs4 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 11.6 for Rhamondre Stevenson 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.2 points per game.

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

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

James Cook outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by 5.2 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.