Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Adam Thielen

Tuesday, January 6, 9:48 PM

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks has mostly played a minimal role since signing with the team in late November. However, Cooks had a breakout game in Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording four catches for 101 yards on six targets. The Bills have been searching for a reliable wide receiver option to pair with wideout Khalil Shakir for most of the season. Notably, Cooks was among the players Buffalo chose to rest during their Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Jets. While the Bills will likely continue to rotate wide receivers, Cooks' Week 18 status could indicate the team plans to heavily feature him in its Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 32-year-old has postseason experience, recording 35 receptions for 494 yards across seven career playoff games. Cooks had just five total catches across five games played for Buffalo this season, so expectations should remain limited. However, Cooks could be an under-the-radar wide receiver option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues.

Wednesday, January 14, 1:25 PM

Wide receiver Adam Thielen announced his retirement from professional football on social media on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Thielen played 13 years in the NFL and was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings. The 35-year-old originally went undrafted before latching on with the Vikings in 2014. He played 10 years in Minnesota before two years with the Carolina Panthers in 2023 and 2024. Thielen began the 2025 campaign with the Vikings before latching on with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had 19 receptions for 186 yards and no touchdowns during the regular season in 16 games with Minnesota and Pittsburgh. Thielen will wrap up his NFL career with 704 catches for 8,497 yards and 64 touchdowns in 178 regular-season games played. His two Pro Bowl seasons came in back-to-back years with the Vikings in 2017 and 2018.