Allen headlines Week 1 with MVP buzz and a BR nod as the top QB, facing a Ravens defense that blends size and discipline. Expect Buffalo to lean on Allen’s rushing upside and big-play passing to set a ceiling, even in a tough matchup. Cook and Davis are projected to share carries behind a formidable front, with Cook’s red-zone punch and Davis as a potential change-of-pace option. Shakir and Kincaid factor as Buffalo’s primary pass-game weapons, while Baltimore’s aerial defense remains a test.

Buffalo’s run game is unlikely to erase the challenge from Baltimore’s front, and the Jaguars’ passing-yard pace last season hints at seams to exploit if Buffalo stays patient with play-action and tempo. Allen’s Week 1 floor remains high thanks to rushing TD upside and authoritative target distribution to Shakir, Kincaid, and the Bills’ receiving corps. Fantasy managers should price Allen as a high-ceiling anchor, with Shakir and Kincaid as upside depending on game flow and Ravens’ coverage.

Handcuff running backs remain a cornerstone of savvy fantasy rosters, and 2025 could hinge on three overlooked backups stepping into starter-level upside when injuries strike. Ray Davis in Buffalo backs James Cook and sits at RB42 in high-stakes drafts, presenting solid RB3 value with legitimate bye-week and emergency-start upside. Will Shipley in Philadelphia looks locked in as Barkley’s clear-to-fill RB2, a contingent piece who could rise if Barkley misses time. DJ Giddens in Indianapolis offers speed and receiving ability behind Jonathan Taylor, with a real 50/50 shot at live-action work in relief duties. Together, they form a compact trio of late-round, high-upside handcuffs who could rescue fantasy squads when the season twists.

Buffalo Bills extended James Cook through 2025 after his second straight Pro Bowl season, keeping him as a top fantasy RB. Still, his 16 rushing TDs in 2024 suggest regression is likely, and Cook’s August downtime and limited practice could raise injury risk early. Ray Davis emerges as a must-own Bills handcuff, with a clear path to volume if Cook misses time.

Davis flashed prior to this season with 97 yards on 20 carries and 55 receiving yards in the Meadowlands, backing up the notion that a Cook absence would shift the offense into a run-heavy mode. Davis’s 130 touches last year versus Ty Johnson’s 59 highlight the coaching trust easier to exploit if Cook misses multiple games. Week 1 could be Davis’s breakout chance if Cook isn’t at full speed.

Jordan Mason stands out as the clearest 2025 league-winner candidate among backups, should Aaron Jones miss time in Minnesota. Mason’s SF stint hinted at explosive efficiency: 120 scrimmage yards per game, ~5.1 yards per carry, and three touchdowns across five games, with heavy volume when the matchup opened. In Seattle, Zach Charbonnet would be the top-handcuff play behind Kenneth Walker III, thanks to superior yards created per touch and a proven track record when given a bigger role. Tyler Allgeier sits behind Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, but his five-year ceiling is enormous if Robinson is sidelined, given his pass-game chops and past 1,000-yard season. In Buffalo, Ray Davis remains a prime late-round stash behind James Cook, who signed a fat extension; Davis logged meaningful snaps and goal-line work in 2024 and could thrive as the lead back if Cook falters. Trey Benson in Arizona represents a high-upside change-of-pace and a potential majority back if James Conner’s durability wanes, thanks to Benson’s speed and breakaway ability. Drafts at pick around 100 could unlock several of these paths to fantasy glory.

James Cook signed a four-year, $48 million extension with $30 million guaranteed, locking him in as the Bills’ RB1 through 2028 and ending a hold-in that followed the 2024 postseason. The emotional signing underscored Buffalo’s commitment to a new, youthful core the front office is building around Cook.

Cook has cleared 1,000 rushing yards in each of the last two seasons and tied for the NFL lead with 16 rushing TDs last year, posting 18 total TDs and earning his second straight Pro Bowl. The deal pairs him with Josh Allen in a high-powered, balanced offense, and Beane emphasized that Cook’s role will grow while staying complementary to the attack’s other weapons in Joe Brady’s system.

Buffalo’s plan centers on drafting, developing, and re-signing, and the extension signals a continued commitment to a diversified, weapon-rich offense. Cook played about half the snaps last season, and the team expects a workload increase without sacrificing efficiency or keeping him fresh for late-season windows as Buffalo aims to sustain an elite pace.

For fantasy players, the extension provides a clearer floor for Cook’s touches and an upside trajectory as the backfield inches toward more opportunities. The Bills’ commitment to their passing game and blocking should keep Cook productive, while the team’s depth behind him could create occasional committee dynamics depending on game flow and health.