Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Trey Benson

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 Trey Benson by 9.6 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. Trey Benson 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

RBArizona Cardinals#46

Trey Benson

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

160

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Trey Benson

Head to Head

16.8 PPG7.2 PPG

17 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Trey Benson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #46 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Trey Benson at 33%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Trey Benson: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. James Cook (Buffalo Bills) averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals, 7.2 PPG) by 9.6 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 9.6 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; Trey Benson posted 160 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: James Cook is off Week 7 and Trey Benson Week 8. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Trey Benson 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. Trey Benson (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Trey Benson by a projected 163 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Trey Benson's 4. That durability gap means James Cook contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•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▾

StatCookBenson

PPG (Half-PPR)16.87.2

Games Played174

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)28629

Rushing Yards1,621160

Rush Yds/Game95.440.0

Rushing TDs120

Receptions3313

Receiving Yards29164

Targets4016

Total TDs140

Age2623

Experience3 yrs1 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

16.8 PPG for James Cook versus 7.2 for Trey Benson 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 Trey Benson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Trey Benson's 7.2 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 Trey Benson average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Trey Benson averaged 7.2 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 9.6 points per game.

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

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Trey Benson (ARI) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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

James Cook outscored Trey Benson by 9.6 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.