Jonathan Taylor vs James Cook
Who should you start in Week 5? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 5
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jonathan Taylor by 0.6 projected points (18.1 vs 17.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Jonathan Taylor faces PIT, the 7th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. James Cook faces LA, the 3rd-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
The model takes Jonathan Taylor, and it isn't close: 19.2 points of value over replacement separate them (154.7 vs 135.6).
The draft market agrees: Jonathan Taylor goes first at ADP 7.4 vs 11.5 for James Cook.
| Jonathan TaylorIND | James CookBUF | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 5 opponent | PIT | LA | |
| Projected Week 5 points | 18.1 | 17.4 | Taylor +0.6 pts |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 30) | #7 | #3 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 291.3 | 272.2 | Taylor +19.2 pts |
| Points per game | 17.1 | 16.0 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | 154.7 | 135.6 | Taylor +19.2 |
| Overall rank | #4 | #6 | Taylor by 2 |
| Position rank | RB4 | RB5 | |
| Market ADP | 7.4 | 11.5 | Cook +4.1 cheaper |
| Typical round (12-team) | Rd 1 | Rd 1 | |
| Bye week | 13 | 7 |
Should I start Jonathan Taylor or James Cook in Week 5?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Jonathan Taylor by 0.6 projected points (18.1 vs 17.4), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Jonathan Taylor or James Cook in 2026 fantasy football?
Jonathan Taylor. He projects 291.3 fantasy points with 154.7 value over replacement, vs 272.2 points and 135.6 for James Cook (RB, PPR).