Why could history repeat itself for James Cook and the Buffalo Bills’ running back situation? The NFL Draft is days away from transpiring, and the Bills let Cook remain unsigned heading into the final year of his rookie contract.
General Manager Brandon Beane, as well as the league as a whole, has seen the running back position have the most turnover year after year. Let’s examine Beane’s past actions regarding his selection of running backs.
Part of the reason is that the team lacked the salary cap money to get a deal done for the star running back this year. Cook also wants to be paid $15 million annually. That is a substantial amount for a back who played only half of the team’s snaps. He also was frequently taken off the field during pass protection situations.
The running back is coming off consecutive 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons. In a league now where they play 17 games, other running backs can do the same, too, if a team has the right starting five on its offensive line.
With that being said, Cook is a good two-way back who could benefit from getting a payday from other teams in the NFL.
If you look at the Bills’ front office recent history, no running back has earned a second contract from Beane and Co.
In 2022, Devin Singletary was entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the team did not extend a second contract offer to him. In the second round of that draft, the Bills selected Cook to learn under Singletary. Cook did well, finishing with over 500 yards in a backup role.
In the 2023 offseason, the Bills’ front office made an easy decision. Singletary was released and subsequently signed with the Houston Texans. He eventually went on to sign with the New York Giants, reuniting with former Bills’ offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
That opened up the door for Cook to become the full-time starter and reset the rookie salary cap with him.
The Buffalo Bills could draft TreVeyon Henderson or Quinshon Judkins in this upcoming draft. Both are from the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, and they could learn under Cook.
Both backs are NFL caliber, but Henderson is projected to have a better career than Judkins. Henderson ran an impressive 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. His game-breaking speed will allow the offense to take long-run plays to the house.
His size is nice, too, at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds. Teams need big running backs when they have smaller interior defensive linemen.
The same holds true for Judkins. His 6-foot, 218-pound frame makes him a bulky combo back with speed and power similar to Marshawn Lynch. While he lacks the breakaway speed of his Ohio State teammate, his large body allows him to plow over lighter linebackers. Combine that with his 4.48 speed and his natural power.
But the bad news for Cook is history repeating itself. If Henderson or Judkins plays well, and Beane continues not to give him a second contract, then that means Cook is done in the 716.
Beane is great at many things, and drafting quality young players is one of his fortes. The GM obviously struck gold with the Josh Allen pick, as now he is a League MVP and the best signal caller for the Buffalo Bills since Jim Kelly.
The running backs all performed well on their rookie or first contracts, but none of them under Beane have ever received a second contract. That’s because the smart GM knows the rest of the league is following his lead as the regular season increased from 16 to 17 games in the 2021 NFL season.
With the Bills picking at 30th in the first round, the team also boasts three top-62 selections. This year is the year to find a Cook understudy. The 2025 running back draft class is supposed to be the deepest in the 17-game regular season era.
The 2025 NFL Draft runs from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field and Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin. You can catch it on ESPN, ABC, and the NFL Network.
With Beane’s track record and the fact that this year’s running back draft class has a surplus of talent, the Bills can let Cook. They can do this either by trading him in the NFL Draft to another team and then making their pick. Also, they could let the two-time Pro Bowl player simply play out his rookie contract this season and select a running back to be his heir apparent.
Then, in the offseason, it’s bye-bye Cook and hello “new running back” and Ray Davis.
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