James Cook landed a four-year, 48 million extension with 30 million guaranteed, a landmark move visible on HBO’s Hard Knocks and greeted by Bills GM Brandon Beane with a flurry of excitement. Buffalo keeps a top asset at the center of its offense as it pursues a win-now path, while Beane stresses the franchise motto: draft, develop, and sign their own. Alongside Cook, Beane has already re-signed Khalil Shakir, Christian Benford, and Terrel Bernard from the same draft class, signaling a clear commitment to internal development and continuity.

Cook’s deal comes as the Bills’ plan to grow through homegrown talent gains momentum, with Joe Brady’s presence at practice hinting at a more dynamic, perhaps more pass-heavy attack. For fantasy managers, this extension cements Cook as a central piece in Buffalo’s offense, with upside tied to workload and usage in the passing game as Brady shapes the scheme.

Episode 3 of Hard Knocks with the Buffalo Bills zeroes in on football, but the bearings have fantasy impact. James Cook’s four-year, $48 million deal cements him as a core feature back, likely pushing volume in red-zone and short-yardage roles. Josh Allen remains the engine, flashing clean red-zone timing and mobility that heightens Bills’ scoring upside. Ed Oliver’s off-field storylines hint at a high-motivation defensive line that could lock in consistent interior pressure against a Bears offense still finding its rhythm. The show also spotlights under-the-radar contributors who could shape late-season rosters, from Ja’Marcus Ingram and Jimmy Ciarlo’s perseverance to Connor McGovern’s leadership vibe in the locker room.

In fantasy terms, the episode suggests Cook remains a strong RB2 with RB1 spike potential in optimal setups, while Allen’s efficiency supports solid QB1 floors. Oliver’s relentless energy could translate into steady interior pressure stats for IDP leagues, and Milano’s leadership moment underscores Bills’ defensive cohesion going into the season. The Bills’ camaraderie—McGovern’s pizza party, Allen’s missed group invites—frames a healthy, chemistry-forward environment that often translates to practical, on-field gains for fantasy managers.

Tampa Bay’s defense surged with energy Saturday, flashing a faster, more dynamic frontline as Bowles challenged his young edge rushers to grow. Chris Braswell Jr. stood out, delivering the kind of early impact the Buccaneers’ depth has chased all offseason. The unit’s speed contrasted with an offense missing key pieces, underscoring why TB prioritizes a versatile front seven. Bowles praised the quartet of Braswell, Jose Ramirez, Markees Watts and Warren Peeples Jr., while stressing that growth must be mental as much as physical. With the preseason finale against Buffalo upcoming, the spotlight remains on whether this young crop can translate practice tempo to real-game snaps and push the rotation forward.

The Buccaneers have quietly fortified edge and linebacker depth this offseason, building a squad capable of multiple looks. Skylar Thompson’s athleticism was noted as part of the performance against the Steelers, while Bowles emphasized the need for players to put together the complete package—mentally, then physically. Buffalo looms on the road as a stern test, and how TB handles the Bills’ high-powered offense could shape early-season expectations for the edge group. The takeaway: the next steps are clear, and the next game will be telling for this developmental cohort.

Arizona Cardinals waived Kelly Akharaiyi after signing him just last week, signaling another shuffle as they pare the roster ahead of the final preseason game. With 53-man cuts looming, the team is poised to address depth questions, particularly after Akharaiyi didn’t see action in the Broncos game. The move underscores the Cards’ focus on tight competition at receiver while also keeping an eye on fortifying the interior line as Hayden Conner deals with a knee injury.

Two interior offensive linemen reportedly auditioned for the Cardinals, a clear sign they’ll be adding protection and depth up front if Conner’s knee limits his availability. The WR depth is sufficient for preseason reps, so Akharaiyi’s exit doesn’t immediately sting the rotation. The 53-man decision timeline looms large, and Cards coverage via Rise Up, See Red will continue to track who survives and who lands elsewhere after Tuesday’s roster finalization.

Josh Allen remains fantasy’s anchor for Buffalo, but the Bills’ supporting cast has real upside. Keon Coleman, a bigger-bodied rookie, has flashed in practice and looks like a breakout candidate around Round 7-8, offering a dynamic pairing with Dalton Kincaid, who is healthy and drawing early targets. James Cook remains a three-down threat, while Amari Cooper and Josh Palmer provide veteran reliability on the outside. Khalil Shakir’s growth adds another layer of depth. In the Bears joint practice, the first team showed signs of a more efficient passing attack, with Coleman beating double teams for multiple touchdowns and Allen flashing improved rhythm with his targets. If Coleman cements himself as a top option, Buffalo’s ceiling for 2025 expands, with Kincaid and Cook providing high-end upside, and Cooper/Palmer offering a firm floor. The Bills’ coaching staff is keeping expectations flexible, hinting at a plan that can pivot based on opponent and health, but the trend toward a more potent passing game is clear.