Paul Connor

Add Buffalo&#8217;s <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/james-cook/1685">James Cook</a> to the growing list of running backs to cash in. After sitting out much of training camp in pursuit of a new deal, Cook and the Bills officially agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $48 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed.
How does Cook’s payday compare to the league’s other top backs? Here are the five highest-paid players at the position by average annual value.
<h2>1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles</h2>
Average Annual Value: $20.6 M
2024 Regular Season Stats: 16 GP | 345 Att | 2005 Rush Yds | 5.0 YPC | 13 Rush TD | 33 Rec | 279 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD 
Career Stats (7 Seasons): 90 GP | 1546 Att | 7216 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 48 Rush TD | 321 Rec | 2378 Rec Yds | 14 Rec TDs
Highlights &amp; Awards:
&#8211; Super Bowl Champion (LIX)
&#8211; NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2024)
&#8211; 2,000 Yard Club (2024)
&#8211; First-Team All-Pro (2024)
&#8211; 3x Pro Bowl (2018, 2022, 2024)
&#8211; NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2024)
&#8211; NFL Rookie of the Year (2018)
<h2>2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers</h2>
Average Annual Value: $19 Million
2024 Regular Season Stats: 4 GP | 50 Att | 202 Rush Yds | 4.0 YPC | 15 Rec | 146 Rec Yds
Career Stats (8 Seasons): 95 GP | 1347 Att | 6387 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 52 Rush TD | 524 Rec | 4466 Rec Yds | 29 Rec TD
Highlights &amp; Awards:
&#8211; NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2023)
&#8211; 2x First-Team All-Pro (2019, 2023)
&#8211; 3x Pro Bowl (2019, 2022, 2023)
&#8211; NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2023) 
<h2>3. Derrick Henry, Ravens</h2>
Average Annual Value: $15 Million
2024 Regular Season Stats: 17 GP | 325 Att | 1921 Rush Yds | 5.9 YPC | 16 Rush TD | 19 Rec | 193 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD
Career Stats (9 Seasons): 136 GP | 2355 Att | 11,423 Rush Yds | 4.9 YPC | 106 Rush TD | 174 Rec | 1651 Rec Yds | 5 Rec TD
Highlights &amp; Awards:
&#8211; NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2020)
&#8211; 2,000 Yard Club (2020)
&#8211; First-Team All-Pro (2020)
&#8211; 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2019, 2024)
&#8211; 5x Pro Bowl (2019, 2020, 2022-24)
&#8211; 2x NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2019, 2020)
&#8211; 3x NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2019, 2020, 2024)
<h2>4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts</h2>
Average Annual Value: $14 Million
2024 Regular Season Stats: 14 GP | 303 Att | 1431 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 11 Rush TD | 18 Rec | 136 Rec Yds | 1 Rec TD
Career Stats (5 Seasons): 67 GP | 1228 Att | 6013 Rush Yds | 4.9 YPC | 51 Rush TD | 141 Rec | 1091 Rec Yds | 5 Rec TD
Highlights &amp; Awards:
&#8211; First-Team All-Pro (2021)
&#8211; 2x Pro Bowl (2021, 2024)
&#8211; NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2021)
&#8211; NFL Rushing Touchdowns Leader (2021)
<h2>5. Alvin Kamara, Saints</h2>
Average Annual Value: $12.25 Million
2024 Regular Season Stats: 14 GP | 228 Att | 950 Rush Yds | 4.2 YPC | 6 Rush TD | 68 Rec | 543 Rec Yds | 2 Rec TD
Career Stats (8 Seasons): 1543 Att | 6779 Rush Yds | 4.4 YPC | 60 Rush TD | 573 Rec | 4762 Rec Yds | 25 Rec TD
Highlights &amp; Awards
&#8211; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2017)
&#8211; 2x Second-Team All-Pro (2017, 2020)
&#8211; 5x Pro Bowl (2017-2021)
<h2>Cook&#8217;s Standing</h2>
Cook&#8217;s $12 million annual salary is tied for sixth at the position, alongside Green Bay&#8217;s Josh Jacobs.

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/James-Cook-1-768x432.jpg

Add Buffalo's <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/james-cook/1685">James Cook</a> to the growing list of running backs to cash in.
After sitting out much of training camp in pursuit of a new deal, Cook and the Bills officially agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $48 million extension, including $30 million guaranteed.
How does Cook’s payday compare to the league’s other top backs? Here are the five highest-paid players at the position by average annual value.
Tackle the Odds with SportsGrid’s Expert <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/picks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL Game Picks</a> and <a class="in-cell-link" href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/player-props" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NFL Player Prop Picks</a>.

Introduction

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Barkley-768x432.jpg

1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles

https://web.sportsgrid.com/assets/images/AZ_FanCash_Day_Affiliates.webp

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/McCaffrey-768x432.jpg

Average Annual Value: $19 Million
2024 Regular Season Stats: 4 GP | 50 Att | 202 Rush Yds | 4.0 YPC | 15 Rec | 146 Rec Yds
Career Stats (8 Seasons): 95 GP | 1347 Att | 6387 Rush Yds | 4.7 YPC | 52 Rush TD | 524 Rec | 4466 Rec Yds | 29 Rec TD
Highlights &amp; Awards:
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2023)
- 2x First-Team All-Pro (2019, 2023)
- 3x Pro Bowl (2019, 2022, 2023)
- NFL Rushing Yards Leader (2023)

2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Web-Pop-up-1-e1709310205784.png

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3. Derrick Henry, Ravens

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Taylor-768x432.jpg

4. Jonathan Taylor, Colts

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5. Alvin Kamara, Saints

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Cook-2.jpg

Cook's $12 million annual salary is tied for sixth at the position, alongside Green Bay's <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl/players/josh-jacobs/1784">Josh Jacobs</a>.

Cook's Standing

Top 5 Highest-Paid NFL RBs Right Now (AAV): How Does James Cook’s New Deal Stack Up?

James Cook inks a $48M deal with the Buffalo Bills, enhancing their running game and future outlook. Joe Lisi joins to break down the new deal for the back.

RB James Cook Secures a New Deal with Buffalo Bills

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After sitting out much of training camp in pursuit of a new deal, Cook and the Bills officially agreed Wednesday to a four-year, $48 million extension.

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