Nick Wojton
July 8, 2024 3:15 pm ET
James Cook was a curious omission from one list from Pro Football Focus.
Cook, fresh off his first Pro Bowl season, is not among the football analytics outlet’s 32 best pass-catching running backs heading into the 2024 NFL season.
Cook notched 44 catches, 445 yards and four touchdowns in the passing game for the Bills offense in 2023. He was a second-round selection by Buffalo at the 2022 NFL draft out of a Georgia, and all things considered, Cook not appearing is surprising.
When drafted, Cook was a noted receiving back in college. He thrives there for the Bills offense, but evidently, PFF’s metrics do not reflect that. He ranks in the “average” territory for PFF’s grades.
On the plus side, Cook has clearly turned into a much more well-rounded back considering the accolades he has earned.
Here is a look at PFF’s grading system to provide some context behind the numbers and the full top-32 list below plus Cook:
90.0+: Elite
80-89.9: High quality
70-79.9: Good
60-69.9: Above average
50-59.9: Average
40-49.9: Below average
39.9 or less: Poor
An offer for Bills fans
For the best local news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to the Democrat & Chronicle.
32. Chuba Hubbard
Dec 3, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Ryan Neal (23) and safety Christian Izien (29) defends Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 62.1
31. Dalvin Cook
Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Dalvin Cook (31) runs the ball against Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman (53) and safety DeAndre Houston-Carson (30) during the fourth quarter of a 2024 AFC divisional round game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 62.4
30. Zach Charbonnet
Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) runs past San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) in the first quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 63.2
29. Justice Hill
Sep 17, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (43) catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 63.5
28. Jonathan Taylor
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 63.8
27. Rachaad White
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 64.4
26. Antonio Gibson
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 64.5
25. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 65.9
24. Ezekiel Elliot
(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 66.3
23. Kareem Hunt
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Kareem Hunt (27) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans linebacker Christian Harris (48) as he scores a touchdown in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 67.0
22. Jahmyr Gibbs
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates after scoring a touchdown San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 67.4
21. Khalil Herbert
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) rushes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 67.5
20. Miles Sanders
Jun 14, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (6) during a run drill during the Carolina Panthers minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 68.0
19. AJ Dillon
Dec 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers running back A.J. Dillon (28) runs the ball in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 68.2
18. Joe Mixon
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 68.8
17. Jerick McKinnon
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon (1) runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 69.1
16. James Conner
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals
PFF grade: 69.2
15. Travis Etienne Jr.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 69.3
14. Isaiah Pacheco
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham (52) defends during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 69.9
13. Derrick Henry
Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean
PFF grade: 70.7
12. Kenneth Walker
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 71.0
11. Brian Robinson
Oct 30, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) gets past Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquille Leonard (53) on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022, during a game against the Washington Commanders at Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Max Gersh/IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 71.4
10. Jaylen Warren
Nov 12, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs the ball against Green Bay Packers safety Rudy Ford (20) during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 72.2
9. Ty Chandler
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler runs the ball against the Detroit Lions defense at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024.
PFF grade: 72.9
8. Tyjae Spears
Dec 3, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) returns the opening kickoff during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 74.6
7. De'Von Achane
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 77.7
6. Alvin Kamara
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 78.4
T4. Samaje Perine
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Samaje Perine (25) gains yardage against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 81.0
T4. Tyler Allgeier
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) takes off on a 75-yard touchdown catch in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 81.0
Jaleel McLaughlin
Jan 7, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) rushes against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 85.2
2. Christian McCaffrey
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) during overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 86.5
1. Breece Hall
Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
PFF grade: 88.9
James Cook
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 17: James Cook #4 of the Buffalo Bills catches a touchdown pass in front of Damone Clark #33 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)
PFF grade: 53.5
Read all the best Bills coverage at the Democrat and Chronicle and Bills Wire.