JC #4

James Cook III

Running Back · Georgia

Bills running back who led the NFL in rushing in 2025 after his first contract holdout.

James Cook III ended the 2025 season as the NFL's rushing yards leader with 1,621. Buffalo's offense leaned on him after Josh Allen's MVP year reshaped how defenses played the Bills, and Cook turned a contract holdout into a $40 million extension and his first All-Pro selection.

★ 2025 NFL rushing yards leader

★ 2024 NFL rushing TDs leader

★ Pro Bowl (2024)

★ 2021 CFP National Champion (Georgia)

★ Bills single-season rushing record

Path to the league

Georgia national champion in 2021 and younger brother of Vikings RB Dalvin Cook. Bills took him 63rd overall in 2022. Took over the lead back role from Devin Singletary in 2023 and broke out with a 1,122-yard season.

Career highlights

2025 NFL rushing yards leader (1,621). 2024 Pro Bowl. 2024 NFL rushing TDs leader (16). 2021 College Football Playoff National Champion (Georgia). Bills' single-season rushing yards record (set 2025).

2025 season recap

1,621 rushing yards on 297 carries (5.5 ypc), 11 rushing TDs. Added 32 catches for 250 yards. Held out of training camp before signing a four-year, $48 million extension in early September. Buffalo went 13-4, lost the Divisional Round to Denver. Cook's rushing total edged Derrick Henry by 26 yards on the season's final day.