Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks has inked a two-year $13 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, per Mike Garafolo -- the 31-year-old returns to the team that drafted him. Cooks was plagued by a knee injury in 2024 -- an MCL sprain that evolved into an infection -- forcing him from seven games. Still, he was the team's clear No. 2 wideout ahead of Jalen Tolbert when healthy. Despite the time missed, he'd score the third-most receiving touchdowns (three) of any Cowboys pass-catcher. Whether or not Cooks will make an impact in fantasy is unclear. However, he provides a valuable second option on the field alongside teammate Chris Olave, with Rashid Shaheed's (knee) status undetermined after a mid-season meniscus injury.
Mar 21, 2025 3:11 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks led the team with nine targets in Sunday's 23-19 loss to Washington. Despite the heavy volume, Cooks struggled to produce. He caught just three passes for 15 yards and added a rush for a five-yard loss. The veteran was not on the same page as quarterback Trey Lance, who missed him in the end zone multiple times. The 31-year-old has a voidable contract going into the offseason, so there is a chance that he has played his final game with Dallas.
Jan 6, 2025 9:26 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is a flex option as Dallas' projected top receiver in Week 18. Cooks led the Cowboys in all receiving benchmarks in Week 17, the first game without CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) in the fold. Washington's defense ranks 12th against opposing receivers, and there is uncertainty at the quarterback position, with rumblings that quarterback Trey Lance should see significant reps this week. However, Cooks remains the top receiving option on the active roster and can be started this week.
Jan 4, 2025 9:59 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks led the team in all receiving metrics in the Week 17 blowout loss against Philadelphia. Cooks was targeted eight times, securing four catches for 52 yards. The veteran led the way with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) on the shelf, and should remain the top receiving option for Dallas heading into Week 18 against Washington.
Dec 29, 2024 9:42 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks should see more volume over the next two weeks due to the absence of star receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder). The 31-year-old has seen 4.5 targets per game over the past four weeks, while Lamb has absorbed 8.5 targets per game in the same span of games. Cooks will compete with tight end Jake Ferguson and third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert (finger) for opportunities. Facing Philadelphia's seventh-ranked defense against receivers, the matchup is less than ideal. Cooks can be started as a flex option in desperation, but has a low floor this week.
Dec 28, 2024 8:38 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks posted an efficient day on low volume in the 26-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran caught all three of his targets for 48 yards but was unable to get into the end zone. The good news was that he hit his highest yardage mark of the season, but 48 yards for a season-high isn't going to be a fantasy league winner. Cooks remains a very risky boom or bust option, especially with Cooper Rush behind center. The Cowboys take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 presenting a tougher task for Cooks to score.
Dec 23, 2024 9:58 AM EST
Despite the fact that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks has scored a touchdown in two of the last three games, he remains a very volatile flex option for fantasy managers in Week 16 heading into a Sunday night showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since returning in Week 13 from a knee injury that required surgery, Cooks has seven receptions on 15 targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns. In the four games he played with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) before his knee injury, Cooks had only nine catches (19 targets) for 91 yards and one touchdown. It's safe to say the 31-year-old veteran is showing serious signs of decline as a deep threat in the NFL, and he's highly dependent on getting into the end zone. The Bucs defense has been a plus matchup for receivers this year, although they've stiffened up in recent weeks. Cooks' limited volume makes him one to avoid.
Dec 21, 2024 12:24 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks was second on the team behind CeeDee Lamb in receiving yards in the 30-14 win over Carolina. Cooks was targeted five times, catching three passes for 34 yards. Cooks is not currently on the fantasy radar despite being second or third in the pecking order most weeks given how concentrated the Dallas offense is on Lamb and running back Rico Dowdle. The veteran should be rostered by Lamb managers as a handcuff over the final weeks of the season, but serves no further use in most formats at this time.
Dec 15, 2024 10:08 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is not in consideration to slot into starting lineups this week with all weapons looking healthy for the team. CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Jake Ferguson are both good to go, making Cooks the third option in a low-ceiling passing attack despite a decent matchup with Carolina's secondary. The veteran is a touchdown-dependent option and he has scored a touchdown in each of the last two games. Given that, he does not have a high ceiling as he has recorded just 19 yards over the last two games.
Dec 14, 2024 8:27 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks found the end zone in the 27-20 loss to Cincinnati on Monday night. Cooks was targeted three times, but his lone catch came on a three-yard house call. The 31-year-old will remain a deep league flex option but is best left on benches due to inconsistencies in his target share. Cooks and the Cowboys will travel to Carolina in Week 15.
Dec 10, 2024 10:07 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks is on the flex radar in deep leagues this week. Cooks does not have an injury designation, as he practiced fully on Friday and Saturday. He garnered seven targets in his first game back after an eight-week absence due to a knee injury. The veteran projects as the third option in the passing game with CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Jake Ferguson (concussion) also good to go for Monday. His volume is far from consistent, but the matchup against Cincinnati's soft secondary is too strong to ignore. With six teams on bye this week, Cooks is a viable flex option.
Dec 7, 2024 3:47 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) logged a full practice on Friday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Cooks opened the week as a limited participant, but seeing him already upgrade to full participation suggests he will not have an injury designation for Monday night's game. Cooks returned from his seven-game absence on Thanksgiving and caught three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a score. Cooks was sidelined due to a knee infection he suffered following a minor procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Saturday's practice, but he should be expected to suit up on Monday. Despite his modest output last weekend, fantasy managers should view him as a solid WR3, as he will likely operate as the No.2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack going forward.
Dec 6, 2024 4:58 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant due to rest purposes in the first practice of the week on Thursday. Cooks made his return to the field in the Thanksgiving Day win over the division-rival New York Giants last Thursday for the first time since Week 4 due to a knee infection that required surgery. It was a successful return, as the 31-year-old veteran found the end zone, albeit on three catches for only 16 yards. Dallas is likely just resting Cooks after his first game back last week, meaning he should be active this Sunday to face the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. The matchup against Cincy is an excellent one, although Cooks will remain a low-upside, touchdown-dependent WR5/flex for fantasy managers, especially with it looking like tight end Jake Ferguson will return from a two-game absence due to a concussion.
Dec 5, 2024 5:17 PM EST
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas News, Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were not seen at practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to their initial status on the practice report on Thursday, as the Cowboys do not play until Monday evening. Lamb aggravated a previous shoulder injury during their Week 13 victory over the New York Giants, while Cooks returned from his seven-game absence this past weekend. Fantasy managers should not be overly concerned if both wideouts remain limited participants during the initial practice sessions of the week. Lamb should be viewed as a top-12 option on Monday evening, and Cooks as a lower-end flex facing a weak Cincinnati secondary.
Dec 4, 2024 4:39 PM EST
The Athletic's Saad Yousuf does not believe that veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks will return to the team in 2025. Cooks is a strong presence in the locker room, but his production the last two seasons has fallen short of expectations as the No. 2 behind CeeDee Lamb. If the Cowboys also feel the same way about Cooks' future, they could give more playing time to rookie Ryan Flournoy and recent acquisition Jonathan Mingo for the rest of the season. Dallas sent a fourth-round draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for Mingo and might want to get a head start on evaluating him for their 2025 roster. The 31-year-old Cooks has six 1,000-yard seasons in his 11 NFL seasons, but he's slowed down the last two years in Dallas and has also played in only five games in 2024 due to injury. If the Cowboys move on from Cooks after this year, they could look to replace him with another veteran pass-catcher.
Dec 3, 2024 7:05 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks found paydirt for the first time since Week 1 during the team's Thanksgiving win over the New York Giants. He hauled in three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a touchdown. This was his first game back after a seven-game absence and he tied his season-high in targets. Despite his lack of production, Cooks averages 6.5 targets per game this season. His next chance to capitalize on those targets will be against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14.
Nov 29, 2024 10:05 AM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) was activated from Injured Reserve on Wednesday and was also removed from the final Week 13 injury report, suggesting that he'll be active for the Thanksgiving game on Thursday versus the division-rival New York Giants. Cooks was limited on Monday and Tuesday before upgrading to full participation on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher needed surgery for a knee infection earlier this year and hasn't played since the first meeting against the Giants on Sept. 26, when he went for only one catch on four targets for 16 yards. Cooks' return is good news for Dallas' offense, but with quarterback Cooper Rush now running the show, he'll have even less fantasy appeal for the rest of 2024 and could operate as the No. 3 wideout on Thursday behind CeeDee Lamb and Jalen Tolbert.
Nov 27, 2024 8:52 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) has been activated off Injured Reserve ahead of their Thanksgiving showdown against the New York Giants on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Cooks has been sidelined since he sustained a knee infection following a procedure after their Week 4 victory over the Giants. Before the injury, Cooks was deployed as the clear No. 2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack and averaged 4.8 targets per game. However, he was relatively unproductive from a fantasy perspective and averaged a mere 6.1 PPR points per game during this small stretch. Fantasy managers should monitor his status ahead of Thursday's game, as he could be limited if he returns Thursday. If he does suit up, he should be viewed as a low-end flex option, at best, in deeper leagues and a high-risk flex play in DFS formats.
Nov 27, 2024 4:22 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Tuesday. It was an estimation after Dallas held another walkthrough on Tuesday. Lamb was active in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and was busy, catching 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. The ceiling is lower for the 25-year-old now that quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) is out for the year, but Lamb remains a must-start in fantasy lineups for the Thanksgiving game against the division-rival New York Giants on Thursday. He had a 7-98-1 line against them on Sept. 26. Cooks must be activated from Injured Reserve to play on Thursday. The 31-year-old veteran hasn't played since Sept. 26 and won't be a recommended fantasy play if he returns against the G-Men on Turkey Day.
Nov 26, 2024 7:10 PM EST
Dallas Cowboys wide receivers CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) and Brandin Cooks (knee) were both listed as limited on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. Lamb played through multiple injuries in the Week 12 win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and caught 10 passes for 67 yards on 12 targets. He may not practice much on a short week, but we'd be surprised if he's not available as a WR1 for fantasy managers for Thursday's annual Thanksgiving came this year against the division-rival New York Giants. According to executive vice president Stephen Jones, Cooks has a good chance to play on Thursday against the G-Men for the first time since being placed on Injured Reserve on Oct. 5. It will be a boost for Dallas' offense, but fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting much for Cooks, who will likely be an inconsistent deep threat with quarterback Cooper Rush running the offense.
Nov 25, 2024 6:58 PM EST
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