Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

James Cook vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Cook is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.8 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. James Cook outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 10.0 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, James Cook is the clear pick. MarShawn Lloyd profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

James Cook

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

16.8 PPG6.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Cook is producing at 76% of elite pace and MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. That ranking gap means James Cook carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Cook vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

James Cook and MarShawn Lloyd are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Buffalo Bills running back averaged 16.8 PPG in 2025, a full 10.0 points per game ahead of MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 with the Green Bay Packers. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 10.0-point weekly advantage for James Cook is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Cook ran for 1621 yards and 12 touchdowns; MarShawn Lloyd posted 325 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

James Cook has his bye in Week 7, and MarShawn Lloyd rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

James Cook is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. MarShawn Lloyd is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 170 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Cook played 17 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 12. That durability gap means James Cook contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•James Cook caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Cook vs MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Cook	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.8	6.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	286	82
Rushing Yards	1,621	325
Rush Yds/Game	95.4	27.1
Rushing TDs	12	3
Receptions	33	16
Receiving Yards	291	112
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	14	3
Age	26	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor James Cook at 16.8 PPG, 10.0 points per game above MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start James Cook or MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did James Cook and MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

James Cook averaged 16.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 10.0 points per game.

When are James Cook and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Cook or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Cook outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 10.0 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.