Is Cook worth it?

[PrimeTime101]

Answer is still an easy no for me. 

 

1. Snap counts...

2. Third downs have not been great. (The great ones thrive on third downs)

3. He is running behind a really good offensive line (never talked about enough)

4. The JA effect... 

 

And his brother still not doing him favors. 

 

I feel like the repeat of Edmunds is coming... 

Cook has an amazing year. 

We get forced to let him go. (Lack of cap space and repeat asking price.)

Many fans not happy... 

 

We draft another HB...

 

Rinse... repeat... 

[DJB]

On 6/23/2025 at 8:55 AM, Mister Defense said:

 

Great way to build a team...

 

Ignore your team's glaring weaknesses on defense...

 

Ignore the fact that you already have a top tier, and I say elite, running back, and a young one at that...  Instead, create a glaring need by "letting Cook walk".

 

And instead of improving your team, eliminating a clear weakness and turning it into a strength, just spin your wheels--and also just hope that Henderson is as good as Cook.

 

Makes perfect sense. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And what happens if Hairston is a bust and Henderson a star ? 
 

We could have signed Alexander as well. 
 

You have to a little more open to opinion and see  different scenarios 

[Mat68]

On 6/24/2025 at 12:14 AM, PrimeTime101 said:

Answer is still an easy no for me. 

 

1. Snap counts...

2. Third downs have not been great. (The great ones thrive on third downs)

3. He is running behind a really good offensive line (never talked about enough)

4. The JA effect... 

 

And his brother still not doing him favors. 

 

I feel like the repeat of Edmunds is coming... 

Cook has an amazing year. 

We get forced to let him go. (Lack of cap space and repeat asking price.)

Many fans not happy... 

 

We draft another HB...

 

Rinse... repeat... 

 

1 and 2 are a product of modern NFL.  Ty Johnson becoming Kevin Faulk is also a pleasant surprise.  The current third down talk is similar to the goal line and short yardage of prior years.  When given the opportunity he thrived.  Cook is good out of the backfield and able to play out wide in formation.  
 

The good oline is why having a player of Cooks ability is important.  Get 50 yards a touch down.  Same hole with Johnson and Davis is first and 10 from the 22.  Thats the difference and aspect lost in the rinse and repeat.  If they dont resign him a day 2 pick will be used to replace him.  One costs a bit more money but opens up an asset that enables another premium position to be improved with cost control.  

[NeverOutNick]

On 4/15/2025 at 11:12 AM, Billsfed1 said:

Those first few games to me are fairly dicey.

 

Still think he’s a hell of a back and would love to have him, but if he really makes his intentions clear…does he get booed out of Buffalo?

 

When he undoubtedly makes a big play in the opener…does he get booed?

 

Hollins and Cook were the 2 guys not named Allen that really gave us something against the Chiefs.

IMO he deserves his spot if he’ll behave.

 

Is he worth the headache?

He is not worth the money he wants. No RB is worth that money and he’s not even elite to be asking. He’s improved every year in the league running the ball but he’s not a good pass catcher which limits his 3 down capabilities. I love Cook on our team on a rookie deal but this regime has been very successful getting RBs in the draft cheap. Ray Davis and rookie to be named later your up next year imo 

[3rdand12]

2 hours ago, Mat68 said:

 

1 and 2 are a product of modern NFL.  Ty Johnson becoming Kevin Faulk is also a pleasant surprise.  The current third down talk is similar to the goal line and short yardage of prior years.  When given the opportunity he thrived.  Cook is good out of the backfield and able to play out wide in formation.  
 

The good oline is why having a player of Cooks ability is important.  Get 50 yards a touch down.  Same hole with Johnson and Davis is first and 10 from the 22.  Thats the difference and aspect lost in the rinse and repeat.  If they dont resign him a day 2 pick will be used to replace him.  One costs a bit more money but opens up an asset that enables another premium position to be improved with cost control.  

bolded for clarity /expand if needed

😇

Edited Wednesday at 10:23 PM by 3rdand12

[LEBills]

On this team, yea he is worth the $15 mil he is asking for. Probably will get 13-15 here or elsewhere in FA.

[Mat68]

20 hours ago, 3rdand12 said:

bolded for clarity /expand if needed

😇

Don't waste it…. Big hole, blocked up Cook scores.  I don't have the same faith in Johnson and Davis.   Finding backs capable of doing so is easier said than done. That is what the never Rb crowd wont admit. 

20 hours ago, NeverOutNick said:

He is not worth the money he wants. No RB is worth that money and he’s not even elite to be asking. He’s improved every year in the league running the ball but he’s not a good pass catcher which limits his 3 down capabilities. I love Cook on our team on a rookie deal but this regime has been very successful getting RBs in the draft cheap. Ray Davis and rookie to be named later your up next year imo 

Very? Singeltary and Moss are not close to the player Cook is.  I like Davis in tandem with Cook but would not want him as the lead back.   

[HamptonBillsfan]

My prediction is if Cook has a season with more carries and more production than  last season, teams will be lining up to give him 15million plus. Beane is steadfast about not paying him now but when Josh has an underachieving running game with less of a threat to break a  big run, the offense will be limited to mostly Josh and the passing game. That’s not the formula we used to make him the MVP and get to within a win of the SB.

[SoonerBillsFan]

On 6/26/2025 at 1:30 PM, Mat68 said:

Don't waste it…. Big hole, blocked up Cook scores.  I don't have the same faith in Johnson and Davis.   Finding backs capable of doing so is easier said than done. That is what the never Rb crowd wont admit. 

Very? Singeltary and Moss are not close to the player Cook is.  I like Davis in tandem with Cook but would not want him as the lead back.   

I said when we drafted Davis he could eventually unseat cook. He can easily be a starter in the NFL

[BuffaloBillyG]

The more I've thought about this the more I think (in my view at least) that it comes down to how the see Ray Davis. 

 

If they feel Davis can replace next year and not have a notable drop off then you save that money against the cap and put it elsewhere. If they don't feel he can handle it and the cost is in the same ballpark to replace Cook (be it salary for a FA or draft pick), work it out with Cook.

[Mister Defense]

1 hour ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

My prediction is if Cook has a season with more carries and more production than  last season, teams will be lining up to give him 15million plus. Beane is steadfast about not paying him now but when Josh has an underachieving running game with less of a threat to break a  big run, the offense will be limited to mostly Josh and the passing game. That’s not the formula we used to make him the MVP and get to within a win of the SB.

 

Yup, and I think Josh Allen is extremely cognizant of how vital the running game has been, and Cook in particular, to his and the offense's overall success.  When the Bills have run the ball more over the last four years they became almost unbeatable. When not, things get much less consistent.  Dorsey's failures in that area were a major reason he was fired and why he cannot be an offensive coordinator in the NFL--and why Daboll will not be a head coach for long.  He let Barkley get away!

 

I think this is why my concern that Cook goes into this season without a new contract have diminished lately, especially after Josh's words during minicamp.  I strongly believe a new contract is coming soon, maybe before training camp, but some time before the season.

 

The last thing Beane, McDermott, and Allen want in the preseason and season is the major distraction that Cook-in-Limbo would cause.  They believe this is their championship year and know Cook at his best, including mentally, is a vital part of that.  My guess? A week before training camp.

 

 

[3rdand12]

Mister Defense , This is a worthwhile watch.

I don't think they will and ride on a prove it again season.

 And then possibly let him hit FA.

If they give him a contract now , how long before he stomps his feet again and tells Bills he wants another upgraded ?

 I would run him into the ground and ***** the carrot back after the super bowl. Can draft  ( my choice ) or FA pickup with this O line and still have success.

 

 But I am not a very nice person 😋

 

[Doc Brown]

2 hours ago, Mister Defense said:

 

Yup, and I think Josh Allen is extremely cognizant of how vital the running game has been, and Cook in particular, to his and the offense's overall success.  When the Bills have run the ball more over the last four years they became almost unbeatable. When not, things get much less consistent.  Dorsey's failures in that area were a major reason he was fired and why he cannot be an offensive coordinator in the NFL--and why Daboll will not be a head coach for long.  He let Barkley get away!

 

I think this is why my concern that Cook goes into this season without a new contract have diminished lately, especially after Josh's words during minicamp.  I strongly believe a new contract is coming soon, maybe before training camp, but some time before the season.

 

The last thing Beane, McDermott, and Allen want in the preseason and season is the major distraction that Cook-in-Limbo would cause.  They believe this is their championship year and know Cook at his best, including mentally, is a vital part of that.  My guess? A week before training camp.

 

 

I think you overrate really good but not elite running backs.  If we had to go into a game minus one offensive starter I’d choose the starting running back.  I want Allen kept clean, our line to continue open up running lanes, and our pass catchers to use their full talents down the field.  That’s why you can’t allocate your financial resources to give Cook top of the market money while paying an elite qb.