NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

5 Buffalo Bills breakout candidates in 2022 NFL season

By Kris Mcandrews

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Gabriel Davis #13 of the Buffalo Bills catches a pass before a game against the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium on October 3, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Gabriel Davis #13 of the Buffalo Bills catches a pass before a game against the Houston Texans at Highmark Stadium on October 3, 2021 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills; Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook (4) runs the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) during the third quarter of the 2022 CFP college football national championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Buffalo Bills breakout candidate no. 3: James Cook- RB-Rookie

In principle, I dislike adding rookies to breakout candidate lists. James Cook, however, is cut differently.  For years now the Bills have been trying to solve their run game conundrum.

The last two seasons have seen them try a thunder and lightning style tandem with Devin Singletary and Zach Moss (Think the NY Giants with Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne).

Injuries and ineffectiveness have led to limited success. This opens the door for some quality competition.

Cook is the younger brother of Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, so he has a good pedigree. He has a very natural running style and has the ability to break away from defenders in the open field.

In fact, in college, he averaged over 7 yards per touch. Cook is not a huge guy and traditionally rookie running backs struggle to pick up the blitz. I would expect the same struggles here, so it may be a case where each back has a defined role.

I look for the Bills to utilize Cook’s pass-catching ability especially and to me, he projects more as an outlet receiver from the backfield. Getting a guy like him the ball in the open field spells trouble for any defense.

Then again, if one of the more established backs begins to struggle Cook has the talent to take on more work and never look back.

Home/Buffalo Bills