James Cook is a 27-year-old American professional football running back for the Buffalo Bills. Born James Dalvin Cook III on September 25, 1999, in Miami, Florida, the 5 ft 11 in back has become one of the NFL’s most productive rushers since Buffalo drafted him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Update — November 9, 2026: Cook carried 31 times for 107 yards and a late 5-yard touchdown in the Bills’ 23–6 Monday Night Football win over the Minnesota Vikings — the most carries by a running back in a game this season, and the second 30-carry game of his career.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | James Dalvin Cook III |
| Age | 27 years old |
| Date of Birth | September 25, 1999 |
| Birthplace | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Occupation | Professional Football Player |
| Team | Buffalo Bills |
| Position | Running Back |
| Jersey Number | No. 4 |
| College | University of Georgia |
| NFL Draft | 2022, 2nd round, 63rd overall |
| Known For | Buffalo Bills running back; 2025 NFL rushing yards leader |
| Years Active | 2022–present |
| Nationality | American |
| Nickname | Captain Cook |
Who Is James Cook?
James Cook is an American professional football running back who plays for the Buffalo Bills. Nicknamed “Captain Cook”, he is the younger brother of former NFL running back Dalvin Cook. Cook played college football at the University of Georgia, where he won the College Football Playoff national championship in 2021, and was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He became Buffalo’s lead back in 2023, when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards, and has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times. In 2025 he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,621, the first Bills player to lead the league since O. J. Simpson in 1976.
Early Life & Background
James Cook was born on September 25, 1999, in Miami, Florida. He attended Miami Central Senior High School, where he rushed for 2,019 yards and 30 touchdowns during his high school career and was rated a four-star recruit. Cook initially committed to Florida State, but decommitted and signed with the University of Georgia, where he also reclassified from the sophomore class to the junior class. He finished his final high school semester at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. At Georgia, Cook worked to build a career of his own, following his older brother Dalvin into the professional game.
Career
Cook played four seasons at Georgia from 2018 to 2021, finishing with 1,503 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, along with 67 receptions for 730 yards and six receiving touchdowns. As a senior in 2021 he rushed for 728 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 284 yards and four touchdowns, and he led Georgia with 112 receiving yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal win over Michigan. The Bulldogs went on to beat Alabama in the national championship game.
The Buffalo Bills selected Cook with the 63rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He scored his first professional touchdown in Week 5 of his rookie season against the Pittsburgh Steelers and finished the year with 507 rushing yards and two touchdowns. In 2023 he became Buffalo’s starting running back and rushed for 1,122 yards, the first 1,000-yard rushing season by a Bills back since LeSean McCoy in 2017, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
Cook’s 2024 season was his most prolific as a scorer: his 16 rushing touchdowns tied O. J. Simpson’s Bills single-season record from 1975 and tied him for the NFL lead alongside Derrick Henry and Jahmyr Gibbs, and he was selected to his second Pro Bowl. He followed that with a career year in 2025, when his 1,621 rushing yards led the NFL and earned him second-team All-Pro honors. He set a career high with 216 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8 of 2025, and in August 2025 he signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension with Buffalo. On November 9, 2026, Cook carried a season-high 31 times for 107 yards and a late 5-yard touchdown as the Bills beat the Minnesota Vikings 23–6 on Monday Night Football to move to 7–1, the best record in the AFC.
Facts About James Cook
- His nickname “Captain Cook” is a nod to the British explorer Captain James Cook.
- He is the younger brother of former NFL running back Dalvin Cook.
- He ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at the 2022 NFL Combine.
- His 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024 tied O. J. Simpson’s Buffalo Bills single-season record from 1975.
- He led the NFL in rushing yards in 2025 with 1,621, the first Bills player to do so since O. J. Simpson in 1976.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is James Cook?
James Cook is 27 years old. He was born on September 25, 1999, in Miami, Florida.
How tall is James Cook?
James Cook is 5 ft 11 in tall (1.80 m).
What team does James Cook play for?
James Cook plays for the Buffalo Bills. He has worn No. 4 for Buffalo since being drafted in 2022.
Where did James Cook go to college?
James Cook played college football at the University of Georgia from 2018 to 2021 and won the College Football Playoff national championship in 2021.
How many rushing yards did James Cook have against the Vikings on November 9, 2026?
James Cook rushed for 107 yards on 31 carries and scored a 5-yard touchdown in the Bills’ 23–6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on November 9, 2026.
How old is James Cook?
James Cook is 27 years old. He was born on September 25, 1999, in Miami, Florida.
How tall is James Cook?
James Cook is 5 ft 11 in tall (1.80 m).
What team does James Cook play for?
James Cook plays for the Buffalo Bills. He has worn No. 4 for Buffalo since being drafted in 2022.
Where did James Cook go to college?
James Cook played college football at the University of Georgia from 2018 to 2021 and won the College Football Playoff national championship in 2021.
How many rushing yards did James Cook have against the Vikings on November 9, 2026?
James Cook rushed for 107 yards on 31 carries and scored a 5-yard touchdown in the Bills’ 23-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings on November 9, 2026.
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