Team news: Buffalo Bills | Page 4

Bills running back James Cook has been open about his desire for a new contract, but he reported to training camp and was taking part in practice until Sunday.

On Sunday, Cook watched the session in street clothes and said after it was over that “business” was the reason why he was not on the field with the rest of the team. During an appearance on WGR Monday, Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said that Cook’s plan was “not something they were fully aware of until shortly before practice” and that he hopes to have Cook back on the field soon.

The story went on to say Beane said there has been “constant communication” with Cook about an extension. Beane also noted that both sides have to agree in order for the deal to come together and that the team has to make sure it “all fits under an umbrella, not in a silo.” The Bills don't seem to be in a hurry as Beane also said a deal can still get done before Cook becomes a free agent.

Dalton Kincaid is back in pads at practice today after missing yesterday with ‘general knee soreness’

Good sign.

Related Players: Dawson Knox

Good sign, indeed. Kincaid is (once again) set up for a successful fantasy season as he heads into Year 3 on an explosive offense with a lack of WR depth. He was in a very similar situation ahead of 2024 and was unable to deliver, which is why he is currently ranked in TE2 range.

Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III is present for practice and in full pads.

Related Players: D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, Tyler Scott, Devin Duvernay

Burden's got some time here to rev up to full speed, which makes this wide receiver room incredibly interesting. The rookie has been absent due to a hamstring issue, and now has the opportunity to push the veteran Zaccheaus for a role in 3WR sets. Burden is deep down our current WR rankings, but could begin the slow climb the more he gets integrated into the offense.

The Bills activated TE Dawson Knox from the Non-Football List Sunday.

Knox missed the first four practices with a hamstring injury. For fantasy purposes, Knox will likely remain behind Dalton Kincaid in the pecking order but will see plenty of time on the field. The Bills also activated WR Laviska Shenault, who had a lower leg strain.

On his first day back at camp, Keon Coleman was in a prominent role again, working with Allen and the first-team offense heavily, though he failed to deliver on several opportunities.

During team drills, Coleman had four targets result in no receptions. The first was against second-team cornerback Dane Jackson, with Jackson sticking on Coleman the whole way and not allowing a catch opportunity. Coleman later had two reps against top cornerback Benford, with Benford breaking up both passes in contested opportunities. Then, near the end, Coleman had a chance to catch a pass along the sideline against Tre’Davious White, only for White to break up the pass.

Related Players: Joshua Palmer, Khalil Shakir, Elijah Moore, Curtis Samuel

Buscaglia goes on to hit on Coleman's lack of separation, which had been an issue through the receiver's rookie season as well. If the sophomore continues to struggle, we could once again see him in a rotation, which will sap any sort of consistent fantasy production. Shakir's role is already locked in, but Palmer, a free agent addition, could end up seeing enough work to make him an interesting late-round dart throw.

As the Bills report to training camp on Tuesday, their star running back will be in attendance.

Via Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, James Cook plans to report to training camp even as he seeks a new contract from the club. But Cook is a potential hold-in candidate, as it’s currently unclear how much the running back will practice.

Cook, 25, is eligible for a new deal after completing his third season in the league. He led the NFL last year with 16 rushing touchdowns, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth, the story pointed out. He was a second round pick in 2022. Cook did not attend the voluntary portions of Buffalo’s offseason program, but he was there for minicamp, the story said.

The Lions drafted quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round in 2023, but through two NFL seasons Hooker has played only in garbage time, and late last season the Lions brought in veteran Teddy Bridgewater and put him ahead of Hooker on the depth chart to back up Jared Goff.

As the Lions open training camp this year, Bridgewater is no longer on the team and Hooker is competing with Kyle Allen to be the Lions’ No. 2 quarterback. Lions head coach Dan Campbell says it’s time for Hooker to take the next step in his career.

The story indicated the team could bring back Bridgewater, but that seems like it will only happen if Hooker doesn't take control of the QB2 job. There have been indications recently on X that Hooker has looked good, so if Goff owners are thinking about a handcuff, keep an eye on how Hooker progresses in camp.

The Jaguars have released WR Gabe Davis, who was due $12.5M this season.

Related Players: Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, Brenton Strange, Dyami Brown

Davis played in only 10 games for Jacksonville last season, accruing a 20-239-2 stat line while playing mostly out wide. If he were to have stuck around, he likely would have been a deep rotational piece playing behind the newly-acquired Dyami Brown (and Travis Hunter).

Buffalo Pro-Bowl running back James Cook did not report to the start of the Bills’ voluntary offseason program. Cook is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and would like a new deal.

Related Players: Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans, Frank Gore Jr.

The Bills are equipped to head into the season sans Cook, but no one behind him on the depth chart has the same do-it-all functionality as the RB1. We'll keep an eye on this, but it's still too early in the process to panic about Cook's availability.

A reunion in New Orleans: 11-year veteran WR Brandin Cooks is headed back to the Saints.

Cooks returns to the franchise that drafted him in the first round in 2014.

Related Players: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Velus Jones

Cooks brings some speed to New Orleans, but it's very unlikely that he's an every-down player at this point in his career. The vet hasn't hit 700 receiving yards since the 2021 season, in his second year with the Texans.