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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Tyler Warren

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. Tyler Warren (8.9 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
17
Rush Yds
1,621
Rush TDs
12
Rec
33
Rec Yds
291
Bye
Week 7
TEIndianapolis Colts#12
Tyler Warren
PPG
8.9
Games
17
Rec
76
Rec Yds
817
Rec TDs
4
Targets
112
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
James Cook
Tyler Warren

Head to Head

16.8 PPG8.9 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Tyler Warren: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) TE (ranked #12 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 2 (Strong Starter) TE in most league formats.

James Cook vs Tyler Warren: Who Should You Start?

Comparing James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) against Tyler Warren (TE, Indianapolis Colts) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Tyler Warren posted 8.9 PPG across 17 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, Tyler Warren in Week 11. 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. Tyler Warren 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. Tyler Warren (age 23) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • James Cook outscored Tyler Warren by a projected 134 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Tyler Warren caught 76 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatCookWarren
PPG (Half-PPR)16.88.9
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286151
Rushing Yards1,6218
Rush Yds/Game95.40.5
Rushing TDs121
Receptions3376
Receiving Yards291817
Targets40112
Total TDs145
Age2623
Experience3 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 7Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Cook at 16.8 PPG, 7.9 points per game above Tyler Warren's 8.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or Tyler Warren in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Tyler Warren's 8.9 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 Tyler Warren average in 2025?

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyler Warren averaged 8.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 7.9 points per game.

When are James Cook and Tyler Warren's bye weeks in 2026?

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyler Warren (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.