Who's the better keeper?

[drunkenmiester 1]

Who would you prefer to keep, James Cook for $32 or James Conner for $19?  Cook finished  6th and Conner 11th last year.

[Super Cubs 154]

Neither. I don't think the TDs will be there for Cook and I think father time catches Conner.

[polecatt 480]

What's the total salary cap?

Can't say for sure without knowing that, but I would probably take Conner.

Cook will probably be a little better, but I doubt it will be enough to make up for the cost difference

[weepaws 3,232]

Benson is without question going to get a lot more work this season, they will not be wasting his talent away just standing on the sideline, depending on your cap, like mention above, I would go Cook, very little competition for work for him. 

[Nomad99 779]

What's your budget? How many teams? Do you know your draft order? ppr?

[TBayXXXVII 2,593]

13 hours ago, drunkenmiester said:

Who would you prefer to keep, James Cook for $32 or James Conner for $19?  Cook finished  6th and Conner 11th last year.

I'm guessing non-PPR?  I'd take Connor.  Both, from what I've seen are relatively similar in auction value this year.  Take the guy that's cheaper.  Especially since I'm not seeing anywhere where Cook is valued at $32.

[Chickie 76]

Any help would be appreciated. Third keeper is between Tracy RB, Dowdle RB, Jeudy WR and Shaeed WR? Leaning Jeudy at this point 

[Ray_T 761]

15 hours ago, drunkenmiester said:

Who would you prefer to keep, James Cook for $32 or James Conner for $19?  Cook finished  6th and Conner 11th last year.

if these are the only choices Cook is your guy.  

It is also worth noting that Conner is 30 years old.   At this point there is often a drop in production for a RB.  Not as big a deal if you are Henry and getting 1900 yards on the ground, but for a 1000 yard rusher, that bumps you down the list into RB2 territory.   I also suspect they may give Benson a heavier workload this year as they need to know if hes gonna be able to be the guy next year or if they need to draft someone.

it is possible Conner hits the wall a year later at 31 but you shouldnt bet on that in a keeper league.   Younger guys are almost always more valueable than the old guys unless they are putting up Derek Henry type numbers

[Maximum Overkill 2,167]

On 8/27/2025 at 8:45 PM, drunkenmiester said:

Who would you prefer to keep, James Cook for $32 or James Conner for $19?  Cook finished  6th and Conner 11th last year.

Conner but you need to cuff him with Benson 

[TBayXXXVII 2,593]

21 hours ago, Ray_T said:

if these are the only choices Cook is your guy.  

It is also worth noting that Conner is 30 years old.   At this point there is often a drop in production for a RB.  Not as big a deal if you are Henry and getting 1900 yards on the ground, but for a 1000 yard rusher, that bumps you down the list into RB2 territory.   I also suspect they may give Benson a heavier workload this year as they need to know if hes gonna be able to be the guy next year or if they need to draft someone.

it is possible Conner hits the wall a year later at 31 but you shouldnt bet on that in a keeper league.   Younger guys are almost always more valueable than the old guys unless they are putting up Derek Henry type numbers

This is a good point.  To me, the money says Connor, but you're right... if OP has an issue with Connor at being 30, then Cook probably is the safer pick.

[Ray_T 761]

5 hours ago, TBayXXXVII said:

This is a good point.  To me, the money says Connor, but you're right... if OP has an issue with Connor at being 30, then Cook probably is the safer pick.

yeah the money is more of a one year time horizon.

if you are looking at potential future keepers, that makes Cook the more valueable guy as this could potentially be the last year Conner is fantasy relevant.

in keeper leagues its always present value + future value.    (unless you are a contender for the title... then you lean heavily on present value)

[TBayXXXVII 2,593]

2 minutes ago, Ray_T said:

yeah the money is more of a one year time horizon.

if you are looking at potential future keepers, that makes Cook the more valueable guy as this could potentially be the last year Conner is fantasy relevant.

in keeper leagues its always present value + future value.    (unless you are a contender for the title... then you lean heavily on present value)

Generally, I think like you on the future aspect as well.  To me though, I'd like to think OP would have a better option in 2026 than James Cook.

[Ray_T 761]

9 hours ago, Maximum Overkill said:

Conner but you need to cuff him with Benson 

and I do think benson gets more love this year than he got last season.

if the team is clearly not a playoff contender, you can bet they will be looking at options and one of those is at RB.   they need to know if Benson can get the job done or if they need to draft someone. 

so I do think he gets a few games where he is the lead guy.

[Ray_T 761]

2 minutes ago, TBayXXXVII said:

Generally, I think like you on the future aspect as well.  To me though, I'd like to think OP would have a better option in 2026 than James Cook.

its close.   but I do view cook as a possible keeper in future years.  so due to age, thats where I value him more.  

the reality is the difference between the two is mostly personal preference.   if we polled I'm sure the breakdown will be somewhat split.   but I also think Cook is an underrated player in fantasy.

[Gepetto 1,389]

James Conner is 30 years old. 

James Cook is 25 and better.

I'd keep James Cook.