Brandin Cooks

Brandin Cooks

31-Year-Old Wide ReceiverWR
Dallas Cowboys
IR-R
Injury Knee
Est. Return 11/24/2024
Wed Practice: Limited
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Cooks is coming off back-to-back seasons under 700 yards, following a seven-year stretch in which he topped 1,000 six times. He moved from a dreadful Houston offense in 2022 to a high-flying Dallas attack in 2023, and while his per-target efficiency unsurprisingly improved, Cooks drew only 5.1 targets per game in an offense that averaged 36.1 passes. CeeDee Lamb got 79 more targets (181) than second-place Jake Ferguson (102), who in turn had 21 more than Cooks (81). Eight of those 81 looks went for touchdowns, but yardage was consistently lacking apart from a 9-173-1 outburst Week 10 against the Giants (accounting for 26.3 percent of Cooks' yards for the season). The Cowboys haven't signed any veteran WRs this offseason and didn't draft one until Round 6 (Ryan Flournoy), likely leaving Cooks as the No. 2 receiver again and Jalen Tolbert as the favorite for the No. 3 job (after Michael Gallup was released). Cooks will turn 31 in September and doesn't seem especially likely to add big gains to last year's volume unless Lamb misses time with an injury. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
#145.08
ADP
$Signed a two-year, $39.76 million contract with the Texans in April of 2022. Traded to the Cowboys in March of 2023.
Listed as limited
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
November 20, 2024
Cooks (knee) is listed as a limited participant after Wednesday's walk-through practice, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Cooks resumed practicing one day after the Cowboys designated him to return from injured reserve. There's a 21-day window in which he can practice without being activated to the roster, but head coach Mike McCarthy suggested Tuesday that Cooks could play as soon as Sunday against the Commanders. The 31-year-old didn't have much luck working with Dak Prescott (IR - hamstring) earlier this season and isn't likely to do much for fantasy managers now that the Cowboys have backup Cooper Rush starting at QB.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
See red zone opportunities inside the 20, 10 and 5-yard lines along with the percentage of time they converted the opportunity into a touchdown.
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Brandin Cooks' 2024 advanced stats compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Air Yards Per Game
61.3
 
Air Yards Per Snap
1.24
 
% Team Air Yards
8.3%
 
% Team Targets
4.8%
 
Avg Depth of Target
12.9 Yds
 
Catch Rate
47.4%
 
Drop Rate
5.3%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
1.7
 
% Targeted On Route
14.7%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.71
 
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Dallas CowboysCowboys 2024 WR Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

54983%
23786%
53180%
21980%
26440%
12445%
19730%
00%
16024%
6223%
9615%
8431%
244%
249%
122%
124%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Brandin Cooks lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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This Week's Opposing Pass Defense
How does the Commanders pass defense compare to other NFL teams this season?
The bars represents the team's percentile rank (based on QB Rating Against). The longer the bar, the better their pass defense is. The team and position group ratings only include players that are currently on the roster and not on injured reserve. The list of players in the table only includes defenders with at least 3 attempts against them.
WAS
@ Commanders
Sunday, Nov 24th at 1:00PM
Overall QB Rating Against
88.9
 
Cornerbacks
93.6
 
Safeties
83.4
 
Linebackers
62.8
 
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2024 Brandin Cooks Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Brandin Cooks' measurables compare to other wide receivers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 10"
 
Weight
189 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.33 sec
 
Shuttle Time
3.81 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.76 sec
 
Vertical Jump
36.0 in
 
Broad Jump
120 in
 
Bench Press
16 reps
 
Hand Length
9.63 in
 
Arm Length
30.75 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Brandin Cooks See More
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2 days ago
49ers WR Jauan Jennings had another huge game this past Sunday and boasts some of the best per-route numbers of any pass catcher in the NFL this season.
NFL Game Previews: Texans at Cowboys Matchup
7 days ago
Erik Siegrist previews the Monday night matchup as the Texans take on the Cowboys in a Lone Star state battle.
Target Breakdown: WR & TE Usage Report + Week 11 Waivers Preview
9 days ago
Denver's Courtland Sutton and Tennessee's Calvin Ridley have overcome slow starts to the season, finally taking advantage of prolific volume the past three weeks.
NFL Game Previews: Dolphins-Rams Matchup
14 days ago
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Target Breakdown: WR & TE Usage Report + Week 10 Waivers Preview
16 days ago
WR DeAndre Hopkins didn't need long to get comfortable in his new home, taking on a larger role and scoring two touchdowns in his second game for the Chiefs.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Traded yet again, Cooks offers serious rebound potential after sinking to 699 yards in 13 games last season in a dismal Houston offense. He cleared 1,000 yards in each of his first two years with the Texans, a feat he's accomplished six times total and for four teams, though without ever exceeding 1,204. There's appeal to his new role as the No. 2 wide receiver in an offense that lost TE Dalton Schultz and RB Ezekiel Elliott this spring, but the Cowboys' switch from Kellen Moore to Brian Schottenheimer in the OC role does hint at more of an emphasis on the run game even with Elliott out the door. Cooks turns 30 in September and can still get downfield in a hurry, so it's possible Schottenheimer keeps the offense relatively aggressive to take advantage of the threat provided by Cooks, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup.
All things considered, 2021 might've been the most impressive of Cooks' six 1,000-yard seasons. He barely got there, even with a career-high 134 targets, but it's hard to blame him given that he caught passes from Davis Mills and Tyrod Taylor in an offense with no other proven weapons. Prior to last year, Cooks had played with Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Jared Goff and Deshaun Watson, landing in the range of 114-129 targets five times in six years. He was slightly above that last season, missing only one game and ultimately accounting for 28.6 percent of Houston's receiving yards. Cooks exited Week 18 with a knee injury, but there's been no report of surgery amidst a fairly quiet offseason for the Texans. The team moved Watson for a haul of draft picks, with hopes for 2022 mostly relying on internal development and whatever the rookie class can provide. It's a situation that makes Cooks the far-and-away No. 1 receiver, again, though he'd ideally be a high-end No. 2 on a better team. And while the Texans are unlikely to be good this season, Mills showed enough in 2021 to create some hope for a competent passing game under new OC Pep Hamilton. Cooks turns 29 in September, and he doesn't seem to have lost much of his 4.33 speed as he enters Year 9 in the NFL.
Aside from an injury-plagued 2019, Cooks has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards every season since 2015 despite playing for four teams over that span. Moreover, Cooks has also been one of the league’s most efficient receivers, and last year was no exception — 14.2 YPC (10th), 9.7 YPT (5th). At 5-10, 183, Cooks is small, lightning quick and very fast — he ran a 4.33 40 at the 2014 Combine. His 20 20-yard receptions tied him for fifth in the league, and he had three catches of 40-plus yards. Cooks has never been much of a red-zone threat, so his six touchdowns from a year ago are about as much as one can expect. At 27, Cooks is still a skilled receiver in his late prime, and he’s actually been durable, missing only three games in the last six seasons, though two of those misses were due to concussions. With wideout Will Fuller now in Miami, Cooks should be the top target in Houston, slated for good volume. The Texans drafted 6-4 WR Nico Collins in the third round, but there aren’t a lot of good options behind Cooks. The biggest concern is who will be throwing him those targets, as quarterback Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston and could also be facing discipline from the league due to sexual assault allegations. Should Watson depart, his replacement, Tyrod Taylor, is a significant downgrade.
Cooks leads the league in two categories the last few years: concussions and getting traded. At least the latter category is not all negative, for while teams always seem willing to part with him, there's another that's willing to give up something of value to acquire him. In this case it was the Texans who gave up a second-rounder for a fourth-rounder and took on $8 million of Cooks' salary, meaning he should be a prominent part of their plans. The issue is they already have two deep threats in Kenny Stills and Will Fuller, plus a newly signed slot receiver in Randall Cobb. At 5-10, 183, Cooks is small and slight, but very fast - 4.33 40 - and also quick. He can line up in the slot or as an outside deep threat and had put up four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before last year's concussion-plagued campaign. Cooks is still only 26, so he probably hasn't lost anything physically, and Deshaun Watson is yet another star quarterback with whom he's now paired. Should Cooks remain healthy, he'll still need to compete for targets, but Fuller has been so injury prone himself, and Cobb hardly the paragon of durability, that Cooks should get his chances. And it's possible a healthy Cooks is the best receiver of the bunch.
Despite playing with three different quarterbacks in three different systems over the last three years, Cooks' numbers have been remarkably consistent. Of course, it helps when those quarterbacks are Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Jared Goff (by way of Sean McVay). From 2016-18, Cooks averaged between 9.5 and 10.3 YPT, 15.0 and 16.6 YPC and ranged between 114 and 117 targets, 65 and 80 catches, 1,082 and 1,204 yards and five and eight touchdowns. He's been the moderate-volume, stretch-the-defense option no matter where he's played. At 5-10, 183, and running a scorching 4.33 40 at the 2014 combine, Cooks is small but extremely quick. He's got good hands (only one drop all year) and runs solid routes, routinely making big plays - 17 catches of 40-plus over the last three years, 22 catches of 20-plus last year (T-5th) on 117 targets (17th). Cooks saw an uptick in red-zone work with the Rams - 17 targets inside the 20 and eight inside the 10 - but converted only four for scores. Cooks' situation this year appears largely the same. Robert Woods is still around to garner the short and intermediate throws, the Rams should have Cooper Kupp for a full season off an ACL tear, and we expect the team will throw to its backs, both Todd Gurley (if healthy) and rookie Darrell Henderson.
By some metrics Cooks had a fantastic season, but from a fantasy perspective it was underwhelming. Cooks managed 9.5 YPT (4th), 16.6 YPC (4th) and seven catches of 40-plus yards (T-2nd). But the robust per-play production was outweighed by the modest volume - his 114 targets were tied for 17th. It's hard to see a major uptick in usage this year after Cooks was traded to the Rams. While Sean McVay's scheme is among the league's best, Cooks will compete with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, both of whom know the system and spent the last year building a rapport with third-year QB Jared Goff. Moreover, the offense runs primarily through all-world back Todd Gurley, who also contributes significantly in the passing game. At 5-10, 189, Cooks is small but extremely quick, and he ran a blistering 4.33 40 at the 2014 combine. As such, he'll serve as Goff's deep threat, a role to which the departed Sammy Watkins never seemed to take. Just don't expect much red-zone work - Cooks saw only 12 targets in that area last year and doesn't have the frame to catch contested passes. He suffered a nasty concussion during the Super Bowl but was healthy for the start of the offseason program. The Rams apparently aren't too concerned, as they signed Cooks to a five-year, $80 million extension in July.
It's not often a 23-year-old rising star receiver is shipped out of town, but then again the Saints benched their best running back in favor of Tim Hightower's carcass for a couple games last year. In any event, the Patriots were happy to oblige, offering a first round pick and change for Cooks. While the New England passing game has a lot of mouths to feed -- all-world TE Rob Gronkowski is due back, plus Chris Hogan, James White, Dion Lewis and Malcolm Mitchell should all be involved -- Cook's elite quickness and game-breaking speed (4.33 40) are great fits for Tom Brady's quick-throw, short-passing game. An ACL injury that PPR-maven Julian Edelman suffered in late August could lead to an uptick in Cooks' volume. Think peak Wes Welker, but much faster. At 5-10, 189, Cooks is small, but the Patriots have gotten touchdowns for players like Welker and Edelman in the past by running quick slants in front of defenders near the goal line rather than fades over top. Cooks also provides the Patriots with a field stretcher, something the team had lacked in recent seasons. Last year with Drew Brees, Cooks had his most efficient season (15.0 YPC, 6th, 10.0 YPT, 3rd), and while his target depth could change in New England, he's hardly downgrading by switching to Brady. Volume is the only question, but if Cooks is as well suited to the Pats as he seems, we imagine Brady and Bill Belichick will make sure to call his number, incumbents be damned.
After a slow start, Cooks broke out in Year 2, making plays all over the field and scoring nine times. At 5-10, 189, Cooks is small, quick, elusive and blazingly fast (4.33 40). He is dangerous running after the catch on short balls, and he can beat defenses deep — five catches of at least 40 yards (T-14th ) on 129 targets (17th). Cooks was also efficient during his second season — his 8.8 YPT ranked 10th. Cooks heads into the season as the team's undisputed No. 1 receiver, but he will never be an elite fantasy option without seeing significantly more targets, especially in the red zone (only 10 last year, two from inside the 10). He profiles more as T.Y. Hilton than Antonio Brown, though Cooks won't turn 23 until December, so there is still room for growth. The Saints are also thinner than ever at wide receiver — only Willie Snead and possibly second-round pick Michael Thomas loom as competition. But coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees make prolific use of their running backs in the passing game, and the team added Coby Fleener to replace the departed Ben Watson at tight end.
If there's one player who can challenge Jordan Matthews for the title of Most Obvious Breakout Receiver Candidate it's probably Cooks. With Jimmy Graham in Seattle and Kenny Stills in Miami, Cooks is the likely top target in Sean Payton's high-volume passing attack this year. While 32-year-old Marques Colston is still around, his role has diminished for consecutive years, and he rarely saw No. 1 volume even at his peak. At 5-10, 189, Cooks makes up for in speed (4.33 40), burst and elusiveness what he lacks in size. He can catch a short pass and take it the distance, or he can get behind a defense and catch the long ball. Last year, Cooks' season was cut short by a thumb injury, so the sample on him (69 targets, 8.0 YPT) is small. Cooks isn't likely to see much red-zone work — only seven targets there last year — though with Graham gone someone has to absorb those looks, and Payton featured the diminutive Lance Moore in that area a few years ago.
The Saints traded up to No. 20 to take Cooks, and he could have a significant role right away. That’s because both of the team’s quick, short-pass-catching options – Darren Sproles and Lance Moore – have left via free agency, and Cooks appears likely to fill the void. Like Moore and Sproles, Cooks is small (5-10, 189), and he’s also very fast – his 4.33 40 was tops at the NFL Combine for receivers. While he won’t see much red-zone work, and it’s unlikely he’ll absorb the entirety of the 140 targets his predecessors saw last year, Cooks should see a decent portion of them if he can overcome the typically steep rookie learning curve.
More Fantasy News
Resumes practicing Tuesday
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
November 20, 2024
Dallas designated Cooks (knee) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Patrik Walker of the Cowboys' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gearing up for return
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
November 19, 2024
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that Cooks (knee) is getting close to a return from injured reserve and could be activated as soon as this week, Saad Yousuf of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Not cleared to practice Wednesday
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
November 6, 2024
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said that Cooks (knee) is progressing, but the receiver won't practice Wednesday, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
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Shifts to IR
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
October 5, 2024
Cooks (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Won't play Week 5
WRDallas Cowboys
Knee
October 2, 2024
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Cooks (knee) will not be available for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Rails against Dak critiques
WRDallas Cowboys
September 4, 2024
Cooks said Wednesday he feels quarterback Dak Prescott is overly criticized for not having had more postseason success, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports. "It's blasphemy," Cooks said, "The guy shows up every year, year in and year out. Putting up numbers, leading his team. He can't do it all by himself."
ANALYSIS
Cooks is an interesting character reference for Prescott, considering he's also played with Tom Brady and Drew Brees during his career. Cooks pointed out Wednesday that even those future Hall of Famers "had a lot help around them." The veteran wideout went on to emphasize the importance of the Cowboys' skill-position players stepping up their level of play for Prescott and noted he took personally what he deemed as disrespect for his quarterback.
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