Could the Bills lose another key offensive player?
Nothing rings in the NFL offseason more than contract disputes. Today's topic – the Buffalo Bills and running back James Cook.
Besides Josh Allen and Dawson Knox, Cook was one of the only returning members of the Bills' offense for the 2024 season. With Diggs being traded to the Houston Texans and Gabe Davis signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cook did his fair share of pass catching – 32 receptions, 258 yards and two receiving-touchdowns. On the ground, Cook had 207 carries for 1,009 yards and 16 TDS (tied for first in rushing-TDS).
The Bills finished the regular season with a 13-4 record, claimed their fifth-consecutive AFC East title and playoff appearance.
Cook continued to be effective in the postseason. In the Bills' Wild Card game vs. the Denver Broncos, the third-year back put up 120 rushing yards and a score. He followed up the solid performance vs. the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round – 17 touches for 67 yards in the snow. Then in the AFC Championship, Cook rushed for 85 yards and two TDS – in the end it was the Kansas City Chiefs who came out on top.
For it being a turnover year for the Bills, they did overachieve. Allen went on to win MVP honors and Cook finished with back-to-back 1K rushing yard seasons. With his rookie contract coming to an end ($5.142 million in base salary), the reliable RB is looking for an extension.
Unfortunately for both parties, it's getting messy pretty fast.
It started with Cook going on IG Live (Instagram) yesterday. While streaming, Cook pinned a fan's comment that read "15 mill year." Today, fans noticed that the back removed all Bills-related posts from his Instagram feed and changed his profile picture.
If the Bills-Cook agree to $15 million, Cooks would be making more than Saquon Barkley ($12.583 million), Alvin Kamara ($12.25 million), Josh Jacobs ($12 million) and Jonathan Taylor ($14 million). It's worth noting that Cook is younger than those backs, but there is one problem.
The emergence of Ray Davis – 113 carries for 432 yards, 17 receptions for 189 yards, six total TDS – complimented Cook very well. If the Bills want to continue this running back-by-committee scheme, it is unlikely that Cook will get his $15 million.
This article originates on 247Sports.
WATCH: Eli Manning throws brother, Peyton, into foam pit after beating him in Pro Bowl Games
Brotherly love was in the spotlight this weekend as Eli Manning's NFC dominated Peyton's AFC once more at the Pro Bowl Games.
Eli Manning may not have been a consistently outstanding quarterback in the NFL, as he didn't hold his New York Giants up as annual contenders or ever receive MVP votes, but he built a reputation on beating the greats. He famously went 2-0 against Tom Brady's Patriots in a pair of Super Bowls, and now, he's spending his retirement getting the better of the other defining quarterback of the generation- his own brother Peyton.
Over the past few years, Eli and Peyton have been leaders for the NFC and AFC, respectively, during the new-look Pro Bowl Games. Eli is thriving under the new format, consistently beating his brother just as he did to Peyton's old archrival Brady.
Check out this clip of a fun celebration from Eli after the NFC's linemen beat those from the AFC in a tug of war competition, as he tossed his brother into the foam pit below the contestants.
— New York Giants (@Giants) February 2, 2025
The Pro Bowl hasn't done the best job drawing viewership in recent years, but the skirmishes between the two brothers have been amusing nonetheless. We'll see if the NFL continues to reimagine the weekend in years to come, as the league looks to draw more attention to the event, but whatever they do, they'll hopefully find a way to keep the sport's two most beloved brothers involved. Just as they have with the Monday Night Football "Manningcast," they've lent their unique character to the program, a definite positive for the otherwise lackluster event.
This article originates on 247Sports.
2025 NFL Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans skip QB at No. 1, New York Giants grab Shedeur Sanders
Tennessee has a decision to make with its top selection.
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick and are reportedly willing to trade out of the spot., but they're sticking with the pick in CBS Sports' latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft first round. The Titans' lone picks inside the top 100 in April comes at Nos. 1 and 35, so getting more selections by trading their first could be an option, but for now, going with the best player available appears to be the plan.
One player whose draft stock went in the other direction during Senior Bowl week was former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who largely struggled in Mobile. Once mocked as a first-round selection as recently as last month, Milroe is nowhere to be found on Day 1 in CBS Sports' latest projection.
As it stands, Colorado's Shedeur Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward are the only first-round locks at the quarterback position.
RELATED: Ranking college football's 10 toughest schedules in 2025
Here is the latest 2025 NFL Draft first-round projection from CBS Sports:
1. Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State (Tennessee Titans)
If Tennessee wants Abdul Carter, the Titans could trade out of the No. 1 spot — and get more in return — along with the All-American pass rusher from Penn State. There wasn't a more dominant player defensively in the College Football Playoff and Carter wasn't playing at 100% with an ailing shoulder. He's similar in talent to Micah Parsons and has been projected to go No. 1 in other mocks as well. If the Titans do not go quarterback and keep their top pick, it's likely Carter.
2. Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Cleveland Browns)
It's either Sanders or Ward to the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 as long as the franchise goes quarterback with its first selection. Given the injury to Deshaun Watson, a future of the franchise player is needed at the position and Ward checks every box as a Heisman finalist and pocket-passing sensation. Ward might have been a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft had he come out following his final season at Washington State.
3. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (New York Giants)
Deion Sanders told the Tamron Hall Show that he will step in for Shedeur Sanders, and there are a "couple of teams that I won't allow him to play for," hammering home a previous report that the Sanders family had a preference.
"It's not like who I would like for him to play for. It's a couple of teams that I won't allow him to play for," Deion Sanders said. "So it's not like that. But this is my profession. I know what's behind the curtain. We ain't got to get back there for me to understand what's behind the curtain and what's not prominent for my son. I'm not doing it."
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4. Travis Hunter, ATH, Colorado (New England Patriots)
New England likely goes best player available here and that would be Travis Hunter. Both are immediate difference-makers on defense and the Patriots could tinker with Hunter a few snaps offensively every week as another target for Drake Maye. The Patriots have their franchise quarterback, so there's no need to move out of this spot or trade up if Hunter is the top player on the franchise's board.
5. Mason Graham, DL, Michigan (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Pick your poison with either Mason Graham or Kenneth Grant here as an interior defensive line maven from the Wolverines. It's going to be difficult for Sherrone Moore and Michigan in 2025 to replace two absolute stalwarts in the middle. But Michigan's loss is the NFL's gain and both are expected to be Day 1 picks. The Jaguars need a run-stopper at the line of scrimmage and Graham's agile enough to get after the passer, too. First-year coach Liam Coen should have some say in who the franchise goes after.
6. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona (Las Vegas Raiders)
Tetairoa McMillan is an every-down threat at the next level and would be the Raiders' WR1 on the outside if he's the selection here. Drops were never an issue at the college level as McMillan was one of the most productive pass-catchers of all-time with the Wildcats. Unless the Raiders move up, the likelihood of Las Vegas going after Sanders at quarterback is minimal. McMillan gives them an immediate playmaker in the passing game alongside Bowers.
7. Will Campbell, LSU, OT (New York Jets)
Will Campbell protected Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier during his career with the Tigers. He will be the first offensive tackle taken in April. He's a reliable blocker who proved himself at the highest level of college football as a former elite-level recruit. New York could use a corner player up front and Campbell has the look of an athlete who will be an All-Pro caliber player for many years to come.
8. Jalon Walker, Edge, Georgia (Carolina Panthers)
Jalon Walker is a native of North Carolina, so you know he would love to head back home and play for the Panthers after starring as a former five-star prospect between the hedges. Carolina has several options in this spot, whether it's going after another target for Bryce Young or getting help on the pass-rush side of things. Walker should show out at the NFL Combine and assume top billing from an edge rusher standpoint.
9. Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia (New Orleans Saints)
Speaking of feared defenders from Georgia, here's another one in Mykel Williams. He's been projected anywhere from late first round to inside the top 10 and that's where he falls here to the New Orleans Saints. While his production numbers weren't as high as some would expect with the Bulldogs, Williams was still one of the SEC's most-skilled pass rushers opposite of Walker. Most believe his best days on the gridiron are ahead of him and the NFL respects enhanced player development under Kirby Smart.
10. Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas (Chicago Bears)
Kelvin Banks' draft stock has been all over the place over the last few months as his final season at Texas was not quite as dominant as expected. With LSU's Will Campbell locking up OT1 billing, Banks could be the next off the board. The Chicago Bears haven't shown their hand yet, but the belief around the league is that they're aiming for a franchise tackle to aid in protecting former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams in 2025 and beyond.
11. Walter Nolen, DL, Ole Miss (San Francisco 49ers)
12. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (Dallas Cowboys)
13. Malaki Starks, S, Georgia (Miami Dolphins)
14. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan (Indianapolis Colts)
Limited during his final season in Ann Arbor due to injury, when he was healthy Will Johnson was college football's top cornerback. He is the alpha in a class that does not possess many can't-miss ballhawks, or at least players you're comfortable putting on an island as a rookie at the next level. A multi-time All-Big Ten player at Michigan, Johnson was instrumental in helping the program to its first national championship in two-plus decade to cap the 2023 campaign.
15. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State (Atlanta Falcos)
16. James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee (Arizona Cardinals)
17. Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M (Cincinnati Bengals)
18. Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina (Seattle Seahawks)
Penn State utilized the Mackey Award winner to his highest extent this season, lining Warren up out of the backfield as an H-back of sorts and as the go-to option on third down. In the red zone, Warren was prolific. He's Travis Kelce, but more powerful. Brock Bowers was an instant sensation at the position last fall and Warren is next. With Michael Penix Jr. as the future of the franchise in Atlanta offensively, Warren would be quite the pairing on that side of the football.
19. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
20. Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan (Denver Broncos)
21. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State (Pittsburgh Steelers)
22. Tyler Booker, OL, Alabama (Los Angeles Chargers)
The next first-rounder from Ohio State's elite wideout room, Egbuka's production was impressive this season alongside five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith, who took some of the pressure off of the Buckeyes' sure-handed senior. Egbuka had a chance to leave after the 2023 season, but stuck around for an opportunity to win a national championship — and it happened. The Steelers need assistance offensively and Egbuka is a dependable threat.
23. Jahdae Barron, S, Texas (Green Bay Packers)
24. Kenneth Grant, DL, Michigan (Minnesota Vikings)
25. Derrick Harmon, DL, Oregon (Houston Texans)
26. Josh Conerly, OT, Oregon (Los Angeles Rams)
27. Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (Baltimore Ravens)
One of college football's most dependable starters in the secondary this season, Barron was a star for the Longhorns on a defense loaded with elite talent. He's cut from the same cloth as Minkah Fitzpatrick given his ballhawking skills and ability to cover plays from all over the field. He's solid in run support, too.
28. Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M (Detroit Lions)
29. Armand Membou, OT, Missouri (Washington Commanders)
30. Tyliek Williams, DL, Ohio State (Buffalo Bills)
31. Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (Philadelphia Eagles)
32. Shavon Revel, CB, ECU (Kansas City Chiefs)
One of the top offensive weapons in Mizzou football history, Luther Burden III is a former five-star recruit who lived up to his billing over three seasons with the Tiger. He's a versatile playmaker who could play a variety of positions in New Orleans, whether that's on the outside as WR1 or lined up in various spots in the backfield. Just get the ball in Burden's hands and he'll make things happen in the open field.
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