Concerning problem keeps cropping up for key Bills player during training camp and it needs to stop

The Buffalo Bills have an incredibly talented running back in James Cook, who I believe is primed for a major breakout this year .

But apparently, throughout training camp, there has been one glaring issue that could limit his impact this season – ball security.

James Cook continues to struggle to hold onto the ball

I love Cook. I think he's an elite playmaker that's truly special in space, both in the running attack and through the air. The Bills will be leaning heavily on him as a do-everything weapon that can put opposing defenses in a blender, but if he can't hold onto the ball, I worry that the leash might start getting a little short.

It's not ideal.

Cook offers so much explosive playmaking ability that it makes it tough to think that they could turn away from him, and please hear me when I say that I do not think that it will, or should, happen. However, repeated drops in the passing game and fumbles when he has the ball in space is not a recipe for success for a back that figured to be a focal point of a new-look offense.

Cook's ball security issues aren't new. Last year, Cook fumbled four times, while also having a drop percentage in the passing game of 11.9% when you include the playoffs. Some of those drops were absolute back-breakers, including dropping a sure touchdown that would have tied the game against the Miami Dolphins in the last regular season game of the year.

The drops and the fumbles simply have to stop for Cook.

Despite ball security issues, Cook is a lethal playmaker

This is where the tradeoff comes into play. Cook putting the ball on the ground in huge spots is absolutely a drawback, but when weighing it against what he's capable of accomplishing, you simply have to keep feeding him the rock. He's too good not to.

And then there's this about his abilities as a receiver:

Yeah the drops suck, especially because they were in big moments, but all of his efficiency metrics, even when including the drops, still puts him in elite air as a receiving back in today's NFL.

The one thing that I don't want to see is Cook getting benched for putting the ball on the ground, which happened at one point last year and clearly didn't work. You have to continue to feed him and make sure that the ball is in his hands to keep the confidence from the coaching staff instilled.

Joe Brady and the rest of the coaching staff know that Cook has put the ball on the ground at times, and it hasn't stopped them from raving about him this offseason, but this issue is one that Cook would really benefit from figuring out.

Related: Daily Keon Coleman propaganda as rookie wide receiver continues to grow into Josh Allen's WR1

Follow along all season for all the latest Buffalo Bills news. You can also find me on X @JonHelmkamp .