James Cook ranks in the all-time elite tier for running backs β a career that places Cook in the top 10% of all players at the position. The Knox value model assigns Cook a career score of 69, reflecting sustained impact that most players at the position never approach.
James Cook
3Γ Pro BowlTop 10% all-time RBsIron Manπ #1 Running Back Β· 2025π Fades Β· -15% playoffsβ Shooting Star Β· 2025
Height5'11"
Weight190 lb
BornSep 25, 1999
Age26
CollegeGeorgiaSee College Stats
ConferenceSoutheastern
Rookie yr2022
Draft2022 Β· Rd 2, Pick 63 Β· BUF
All-Time Rank & Honors
career ranks, postseason ranks, awards, title contextPostseason all-time ranks
3x
Pro Bowls
Season honors and record seasons
A high-end running back defined as much by exceptional availability β almost never missed time as by their on-field impact (top 10% all-time). Coaches and teammates could count on them being available.
Career Value Β· VORP
VORP 88 Β· #1314 Β· High-ValueWorth 88 points of value above a freely-available replacement running back β top 29% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 4 of 4 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +22 on average.See board β
Seasons above replacement
4 cleared
Beat replacement (adds to VORP) Below it β adds 0, never a debit
50
Replacement
the KC-H bar
β
4
Seasons over
cleared the bar
Γ
+22
Avg surplus
peak +35
4 seasons Γ ~22 surplus β VORP 88
Combined Season Grid
The full season-by-season grids, joined on one timeline. Every selected stat family stays visible at onceβno tab hopping.
4 grids split in one view
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | Rushing | Receiving | Defense | Snap Counts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Att | Yds | TD | Y/A | TD% | 1D | 1D% | Fmb | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD | Ctch% | Y/R | Y/Tgt | AirYd/T | 1D | Tkl | Solo | Ast | TFL | QBHits | Sk | Dis | Int | PD | FF | FR | TD | Sfty | Off | Off% | Def | Def% | ST | ST% | |||||
| 2022 | β | BUF | 16 | β | 89 | 507 | 2 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 24 | 27.0 | 1 | 32 | 21 | 180 | 1 | 65.6% | 8.6 | 5.6 | β | 5 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 269 | 25.2% | β | 0.0% | 1 | 5.0% |
| 2022 | β | CHI | 1 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | β | 0 | 0 | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| 2023 | β | BUF | 17 | β | 237 | 1,122 | 2 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 53 | 22.4 | 1 | 54 | 44 | 445 | 4 | 81.5% | 10.1 | 8.2 | β | 16 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 634 | 54.8% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| 2023 | β | DEN | 1 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | β | 0 | 0 | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| 2024 | β | BUF | 16 | β | 207 | 1,009 | 16 | 4.9 | 7.7 | 48 | 23.2 | 0 | 38 | 32 | 258 | 2 | 84.2% | 8.1 | 6.8 | β | 14 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 485 | 47.7% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| 2025 | β | BUF | 17 | β | 309 | 1,621 | 12 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 71 | 23.0 | 3 | 40 | 33 | 291 | 2 | 82.5% | 8.8 | 7.3 | β | 11 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | 639 | 57.2% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| Career | β | 68 | β | 842 | 4,259 | 32 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 196 | 23.3 | 5 | 164 | 130 | 1,174 | 9 | 79.3% | 9.0 | 7.2 | β | 46 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | β | 0 | 0 | 2,027 | 46.2% | β | 0.0% | 1 | 5.0% | |
Career EPA42.8Β·10 rushing Β· 33 receivingΒ·14.3/season
Rushing
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | Att | Yds | TD | Y/A | TD% | 1D | 1D% | Fmb | VAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 89 | 507 | 2 | 5.7 | 2.2 | 24 | 27.0 | 1 | 9.4 |
| 2023 | 24 | BUF | 17 | 9* | 237 | 1,122 | 2 | 4.7 | 0.8 | 53 | 22.4 | 1 | 15.8 |
| 2024 | 25 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 207 | 1,009 | 16 | 4.9 | 7.7 | 48 | 23.2 | 0 | 19.2 |
| 2025 | 26 | BUF | 17 | 10* | 309 | 1,621 | 12 | 5.2 | 3.9 | 71 | 23.0 | 3 | 21.1 |
| Career | 66 | 19* | 842 | 4,259 | 32 | 5.1 | β | 196 | β | 5 | 65.5 |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
Receiving
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD | Ctch% | Y/R | Y/Tgt | AirYd/T | 1D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 32 | 21 | 180 | 1 | 65.6% | 8.6 | 5.6 | β | 5 |
| 2023 | 24 | BUF | 17 | 9* | 54 | 44 | 445 | 4 | 81.5% | 10.1 | 8.2 | β | 16 |
| 2024 | 25 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 38 | 32 | 258 | 2 | 84.2% | 8.1 | 6.8 | β | 14 |
| 2025 | 26 | BUF | 17 | 10* | 40 | 33 | 291 | 2 | 82.5% | 8.8 | 7.3 | β | 11 |
| Career | 66 | 19* | 164 | 130 | 1,174 | 9 | 79.3% | 9.0 | 7.2 | β | 46 |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
Snap Counts
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | Off | Off% | Def | Def% | ST | ST% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 269 | 25.2% | β | 0.0% | 1 | 5.0% |
| 2023 | 24 | BUF | 17 | 9* | 634 | 54.8% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 25 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 485 | 47.7% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| 2025 | 26 | BUF | 17 | 10* | 639 | 57.2% | β | 0.0% | β | 0.0% |
| Career | 66 | 19* | 2,027 | β | β | β | 1 | β |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
Advanced (EPA)
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | Pass EPA | Rush EPA | Rec EPA | Pass AirYd | Rec AirYd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | β | β | 0* | β | 6.5 | 3.9 | 0 | 82 |
| 2023 | 24 | β | β | 9* | β | -7.3 | 16.4 | 0 | 137 |
| 2024 | 25 | β | β | 0* | β | 10.6 | 12.8 | 0 | 37 |
| Career | 9* | β | β | β | 0 | 256 |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
Advanced Rushing (2018+)
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | YBC | YBC/Att | YAC | YAC/Att | BrkTkl | Att/Br | 1D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 329 | 3.7 | 178 | 2.0 | 3 | 29.7 | 25 |
| 2023 | 24 | BUF | 17 | 9* | 640 | 2.7 | 482 | 2.0 | 8 | 29.6 | 53 |
| 2024 | 25 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 530 | 2.6 | 479 | 2.3 | 14 | 14.8 | 48 |
| 2025 | 26 | BUF | 17 | 10* | 935 | 3.0 | 686 | 2.2 | 21 | 14.7 | 68 |
| Career | 66 | 19* | 2,434 | β | 1,825 | β | 46 | β | 194 |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
Advanced Receiving (2018+)
| Season | Age | Team | G | GS | ADOT | YBC/R | YAC/R | BrkTkl | Drops | Drop% | 1D | TgtRate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 23 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 2.4 | 2.3 | 6.3 | 0 | 3 | 0.1 | 5 | 77.6 |
| 2023 | 24 | BUF | 17 | 9* | 2.5 | 1.1 | 9.0 | 7 | 6 | 0.1 | 16 | 125.7 |
| 2024 | 25 | BUF | 16 | 0* | 0.9 | -0.1 | 8.1 | 0 | 2 | 0.1 | 14 | 112.5 |
| 2025 | 26 | BUF | 17 | 10* | 1.3 | 0.6 | 8.2 | 3 | 3 | 0.1 | 11 | 113.6 |
| Career | 66 | 19* | β | β | β | 10 | 14 | β | 46 | β |
* GS not available from free sources β SG* estimated from snap share (nflverse 2012+)
KV-H Anatomy
KV-H 69 Β· Strong StarterA strong starter career by KV-H: a well-rounded profile that scores 69 of 100, era-normalized against rush yds/g peers across 4 scored seasons, with a short career trimming the score.
72
Sustained
career value
Γ.6
76
Peak
best 3 seasons
Γ.4
Γ0.93
Longevity
career length
Blend 73.6 Γ longevity 0.93 = KV-H 69Β· confidence 100%
What builds the career mark of 72
On-field 52.7
Availability 19.3
On-field production Staying available
Season-by-season quality (era-relative rush yds/g)
2022bestavg 72elite 702025
All-Time Standing
how this career measures against the all-time greats at the position24
Depth
of 100
Reached 23% of the all-time Rushing Yards leader β a rotational/depth all-time profile at the position.
23% of the all-time Rushing Yards leader23
0 categories β₯25% of the all-time leader0
14.28 EPA/season over 3 seasons55
A 0β100 scale where 100 = matched the all-time leaderat this position. Built only from visible encyclopedia data β career production vs. the all-time leader, plus efficiency (EPA) and comparable-player confidence β so it's a transparent context score, not a subjective rating. Tiers: Elite β₯ 85 Β· Strong β₯ 65 Β· Solid β₯ 45 Β· Depth < 45. Comparable-player confidence: 93%.
Per-Snap Impact
Running Backs Β· proprietary Β· 2012+78
Excellent
SIS
Yards/snap2.68Touch rate0.496EPA/snap0.021Snap share46.2%Off snaps2,027Elite Β· ConsistentCV 0.14
Production per snap β the box score normalized by opportunity. SIS is z-scored within running backs, shrinkage-regularized so small samples don't spike, over the NFL snap-count era (2012+).
Career Aging Trajectory
vs. position group average Β· KV-H basisAmber = this player (normalized to own peak). Indigo = average RBs aging curve. Group peak age: 21. Source: StatVault KV-H era (1999+).
Combine Β· 2022
Percentiles compare each raw measurement against position peers, the full combine pool, and the same draft class where enough samples exist.
4.42s
40-Yard
Strong Β· 86th pct
Pos 86thAll 90thClass Pos 68thClass All 82th
33"
Vertical
Below avg Β· 33th pct
Pos 33thAll 44thClass Pos 46thClass All 48th
124"
Broad Jump
Strong Β· 82th pct
Pos 82thAll 82thClass Pos 80thClass All 74th
Playoff vs Regular Season
π Regular Season Player
Yards / Carry: 5.1 regular season β 4.3 playoffs (4 playoff seasons)
-15%
vs reg season
From Scrimmage Β· Career
Scrimmage Yds
5,433
4,259 rush Β· 1,174 recv
Total TDs
41
32 rush Β· 9 recv
Total Touches
972
842 carries Β· 130 rec
Yds / Touch
5.6
rushing + receiving
Postseason Career
9 playoff gamesRushing
Att145Yds627TD4Y/A4.3TD%2.81D341D%23.4Fmb1
Receiving
Tgt21Rec18Yds119Ctch%85.7%Y/R6.6Y/Tgt5.71D4
Advanced (EPA)
Rush EPA3.3Rec EPA0.1Rec AirYd-30
College stats are not imported for this profile yet.
StatVault has the verified college attribution (Georgia), but no parsed college box-score table is present in this profile artifact. The section stays here so every profile has a consistent college-stats landing point without fabricating unavailable rows.
Reference Graph
Career teammates and draft class, derived from year-by-year rosters β every name is linked.
Top Teammates
DaQuan JonesDT4yReid FergusonLS4yDion DawkinsOT4yJosh AllenQB4yJordan PhillipsDT4yTaron JohnsonCB4yDawson KnoxTE4yMatt MilanoOLB4yEd OliverDT4yReggie GilliamRB4yA.J. EpenesaDE4yGreg RousseauLB4yCam LewisCB4yKhalil ShakirWR4yTerrel BernardLB4yChristian BenfordCB4yDamar HamlinSAF4yJa'Marcus IngramCB4yBaylon SpectorLB4ySam MartinP3yVon MillerOLB3yJordan PoyerFS3yTre'Davious WhiteCB3yDavid EdwardsOT3y
2022 Draft ClassΒ· this player went #63
Franchise Succession
the room, before and afterJames inherited the Buffalo Bills RB room from Devin Singletary (2019β2022), and handed it to Ty Johnson (2023β2025).
Similar Players
Statistical + physical similarity across every player in the database, position-relevant (0β100%).
Movementderived from season history
- 2025final season
Last recorded season with BUF
- 2022draft
Drafted by BUF β Round 2, Pick 63
Athletic & Unique Profile
verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts5'11" / 190 lb
Frame
199 lb at 4.42s
Size-speed
33" vert / 124" broad
Explosion
Injury History
From nflverse weekly injury reports Β· coverage begins 2009.
| Season | Team | Games Out | Designations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | BUF | 0 | W6QuestionableΒ· Toe |
Knox
StatVault's proprietary player intelligence, informed by full career data. How Knox works β
Historical Knox Β· KV-H
Era-normalized career quality β z-scored against 4-season peers. See all β
69
peak 76
Season Report CardsΒ· KV-H era-normalized per season
C+2022
B+2023
B+2024
A2025
Availability
Career durability β games played vs. scheduled, across 4 seasons.
97%
2022
Era Translator
Rush Yds translated to the 2025NFL β each season's standing among its own-era peers, projected onto 2025's scoring environment. Modern-era (1999+) coverage.
| Season | Actual Rush Yds | Rush Yds/G | β 2025 Rush Yds | β 2025 /G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 507 | 31.7 | 546+39 | 32.1 |
| 2023 | 1,122 | 66 | 1,117-5 | 65.7 |
| 2024 | 1,009 | 63.1 | 1,071+62 | 63 |
| 2025 | 1,621 | 95.4 | 1,621 | 95.4 |
Data: nflverse:players, nflverse:player_stats, nflverse:player_stats_def, nflverse:snap_counts, nflverse:combine, nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:advanced-epa (CC-BY 4.0), nflverse:injuries Β· multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle Β· updated 6/18/2026
Career Value Β· VORP
88 career value over replacement β #1314 all-time of 4,642. 22/season above a replacement-level RB.
Career Profile
Draft OutcomeSteal β
Pick #63 (Rd 2) Β· BUF Β· 2022 Β· +22.1 vs expected KV-H
69actual
46.9 expected Β· Ξ+22.1
Fan Rating
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