Bills RB James Cook: Candidate for Fantasy Football 'Sleeper'?

Could Buffalo Bills running back James Cook emerge as a sharp fantasy football running back?

As rankings develop for the 2023 season, fantasy football fanatics have kept a close eye on NFL OTAs, looking for a relatively unknown or almost-forgotten player who could unexpectedly emerge to blow up the scoreboard.

Which players could be labeled as "sleepers" this season?

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is among Sports Illustrated's "sleeper" running back picks for 2023:

Cook didn’t put up huge fantasy totals as a rookie, but he averaged better than five yards per carry and caught 21 passes out of the backfield. With Devin Singletary no longer on the roster, Cook should see his opportunities increase, especially as a pass catcher, in Year 2. Veteran Damien Harris could cap his ceiling a bit, but Cook still has more flex appeal in PPR formats this season.

Buffalo's running back room has changed ahead of Cook's second season, with the departure of Devin Singletary and addition of former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris. 

Cook also changed his jersey number from No. 28 to No. 4, the number he wore in college when he played for the Georgia Bulldogs. It's also the number Cook's older brother, Dalvin, wore for the Minnesota Vikings.

Cook has a shot at a RB1-like role for Buffalo after a productive rookie season in which he progressed to be an efficient running back for the Bills.

In 16 appearances last season, Cook totaled 89 carries for 507 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 21 catches for 180 yards and another score. After fumbling on his first carry of the season in his NFL debut, Cook never let the ball leave his hands again.

Buffalo hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since LeSean McCoy in 2017. The Bills are serious Super Bowl contenders, with the third-best odds to win the title. A breakout season from Cook would certainly go a long way in hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. 

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