Bills Predicted To Replace James Cook in 2026 Draft

Bills Predicted To Replace James Cook in 2026 Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Buffalo Bills and running back James Cook appear to be at an impasse on a new deal. Cook, after leading the league in rushing touchdowns, wants to be paid over $15 million per year.

The Bills, already light on cap space, can’t really afford that kind of request.

So here we are. An unhappy Cook has been away from the team since the start of OTAs as he enters the final year of his contract with Buffalo.

Anyway you slice it, the perception is that Buffalo will look to replace Cook eventually in their offense. The Georgia product may be just 25 years old, but in the NFL, that is nearing the point of no-return for a running back.

Pro Football and Sports Network draft analyst Ian Cummings believes that a replacement won’t be found this season, but in next year’s NFL Draft. Cummings predicted the Bills will draft Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner.

“If the Bills opt not to extend James Cook and instead dip into the 2026 NFL Draft RB crop, Quintrevion Wisner can be a viable successor,” Cummings wrote. “At 6’0″, 200 pounds, Wisner’s elusive instincts, space-swimming ability, and base recalibration post-contact make him unique.”

Cook has been a model of consistency for Buffalo over the last few years. He has recorded over 1,000 rushing yards in back-to-back seasons. He is clearly the Bills’ top offensive weapon outside of their MVP quarterback Josh Allen.

The shelf life of a running back is short, though. And if Buffalo doesn’t want to pay a player like Cook top money, then that means we can anticipate the team possibly looking to pick his replacement somewhere down the line.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.

Bills Predicted To Replace James Cook in 2026 Draft

Tags: