Third-Year Players: James Cook, Zamir White, Kenneth Walker III (Fantasy Football)

Let’s dive into a few notable fantasy football third-year players below. Here are third-year players along with their fantasy football draft outlook from our team of experts. Below we dive into a few notable third-year players and their fantasy football draft outlook.

Fantasy Football Third-Year Players: Draft Advice

James Cook (BUF)

After Joe Brady took over as the Bills’ offensive coordinator, Cook’s season took off. In Weeks 11-18, Cook was the RB11, averaging 19.6 touches and 104.3 total yards per game. Yes, he only played more than 60% of the snaps twice during that stretch, but it didn’t matter. When he was on the field, he was being fed the rock, and his pass game usage skyrocketed. After Week 10, he was 16th in target share (11.4%) among 34 qualifying backs while also ranking 10th in TPRR, fourth in receiving yards per game, and second in YPRR. The touchdown worries and red zone usage remain concerning, especially with the addition of Ray Davis. Still, in the final seven games of the season, he did lead the running back room with a 48.1% snap rate inside the 20, but that number ranked 32nd out of 61 qualifying backs. Cook has top-12 upside, but he should best be viewed as an RB2.
– Derek Brown

Kenneth Walker III (SEA)

Walker continues to hum along as a dependable RB2 in fantasy (RB20 last season) despite dealing with a myriad of injuries in 2023. Walker worked through a bruised shoulder, a strained oblique, a chest issue, and a tender calf last season. This didn’t stop him from averaging 17.3 touches and 82 total yards in the 14 games that he played at least 41% of the snaps. Walker remains one of the best pure rushers in the game while sitting at fourth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 26th in explosive run rate last season (minimum 50 carries per Fantasy Points Data). Zach Charbonnet will continue to be a weekly worry as he siphons off red zone and pass game work, but Walker should still lead the backfield in touches this year.
– Derek Brown

Zamir White (LV)

Zamir White proved capable of carrying the mail last year and should be the Raiders’ workhorse in 2024. In Weeks 15-18, he averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total yards as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. During this cup of coffee as the team’s starter, among 41 qualifying backs, he ranked 13th in explosive run rate, sixth in yards after contact per attempt, and 17th in success rate. With Josh Jacobs heading to Cheesehead town, White should be a volume-driven RB2 with upside for more in 2024.
– Derek Brown