Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Diontae Johnson

Friday, March 21, 3:11 PM

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.

Thursday, July 31, 11:47 AM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson has "mostly played with the second and third offensive units" in training camp practices, according to Zak Jackson of The Athletic. Jackson writes that Johnson may be competing with second-year wideout Jamari Thrash for the primary slot receiver role, or "even for a roster spot." In 12 games last season split between the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans, Johnson recorded 33 catches for 375 yards and three touchdowns. The 29-year-old has significantly more NFL production under his belt than Thrash, who had just three catches in nine games for Cleveland as a rookie in 2024. Johnson had been a useful fantasy player for most of his career up until 2024, but it appears he has some work to do just to make the Browns roster heading into 2025.