Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs Woody Marks

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. Woody Marks (8.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Cook as the starter and Woody Marks 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

RBHouston Texans#36

Woody Marks

PPG

8.3

Games

Rush Yds

703

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

208

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

James Cook

Woody Marks

Head to Head

16.8 PPG8.3 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Woody Marks: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #36 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and Woody Marks at 38%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs Woody Marks: Who Should You Start?

James Cook and Woody Marks are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Buffalo Bills running back averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025, a full 8.5 points per game ahead of Woody Marks's 8.3 with the Houston Texans. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

James Cook carries a 8.5-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; Woody Marks posted 703 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 Woody Marks rests in Week 6. 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. Woody Marks 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. Woody Marks (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Woody Marks by a projected 145 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to Woody Marks's 16. 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▾

StatCookMarks

PPG (Half-PPR)16.88.3

Games Played1716

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)286133

Rushing Yards1,621703

Rush Yds/Game95.443.9

Rushing TDs122

Receptions3324

Receiving Yards291208

Targets4036

Total TDs145

Age2625

Experience3 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 6

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Cook holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.8 points per game. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or Woody Marks in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Woody Marks's 8.3 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 Woody Marks average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Woody Marks averaged 8.3 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 8.5 points per game.

When are James Cook and Woody Marks's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and Woody Marks (HOU) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Cook or Woody Marks a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored Woody Marks by 8.5 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.