Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

James Cook is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.8 PPG and 1,912 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (9.5 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Cook as the starter and Tyrone Tracy Jr. as depth.

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 York Giants#31

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

PPG

9.5

Games

Rush Yds

740

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

288

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Head to Head

16.8 PPG9.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Tyrone Tracy Jr.: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #31 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Tyrone Tracy Jr. at 43%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Tyrone Tracy Jr.: Who Should You Start?

James Cook and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Buffalo Bills running back averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025, a full 7.3 points per game ahead of Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s 9.5 with the New York Giants. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

A 7.3-PPG gap gives James Cook the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Tyrone Tracy Jr. posted 740 and 2. 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 Tyrone Tracy Jr. 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

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Tyrone Tracy Jr. (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Tyrone Tracy Jr. by a projected 124 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyrone Tracy Jr.'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.
•Tyrone Tracy Jr. caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatCookJr.

PPG (Half-PPR)16.89.5

Games Played1715

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286143

Rushing Yards1,621740

Rush Yds/Game95.449.3

Rushing TDs122

Receptions3336

Receiving Yards291288

Targets4048

Total TDs144

Age2626

Experience3 yrs1 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

James Cook outscored Tyrone Tracy Jr. by 7.3 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 9.5). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or Tyrone Tracy Jr. in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s 9.5 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 Tyrone Tracy Jr. average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyrone Tracy Jr. averaged 9.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 7.3 points per game.

When are James Cook and Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Cook or Tyrone Tracy Jr. a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored Tyrone Tracy Jr. by 7.3 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.