Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or George Pickens

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brandin Cooks News

Brandin Cooks a Boom/Bust Dart Throw Going into Divisional Round

Friday, January 16, 11:30 PM

Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks was traded from the New Orleans Saints to Buffalo late in the 2025 season. In his five regular-season games with the Bills, Cooks caught five of 11 targets for 114 yards. The 32-year-old deep threat has seven receptions on 11 targets for 159 yards in the last two games against the Eagles and Jaguars, though. He caught three of five targets for 58 yards in the Wild-Card win over the Jaguars, with most of his yardage coming on a 36-yard pickup. Cooks relies on chunk gains deep down the field, which could be a problem against a solid Denver Broncos' defense in the Divisional Round on Saturday. The Bills will need Cooks to step up, though, with both Gabe Davis (knee) and Tyrell Shavers (knee) out with torn ACLs. Denver's defense gave up the fifth-fewest half-PPR points per game to WRs during the regular season and tied with the Eagles for the fewest TDs allowed at six.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

George Pickens News

George Pickens to Play on Franchise Tag in 2026

Wednesday, April 22, 9:54 AM

Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said that wide receiver George Pickens will play under the $27.3 million franchise tag in 2026, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. "There won't be negotiations on a long-term deal," Jones says. Pickens has not signed the franchise tag, so he isn't under contract and can't be fined for missing voluntary or mandatory team activities. If Pickens' holdout drags into the 2026 regular season and he doesn't report, he could miss out on game checks of $1.5 million each week. The Cowboys and Pickens have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. The Cowboys calling off extension talks doesn't sound like a good thing for the team or for Pickens. This could get messier in training camp and as the start of the season nears in early September. The 25-year-old had a career year with a 93-1,429-9 line in 17 games played in his first year with Dallas, and he will have a WR1 price in fantasy drafts this fall. Fantasy managers considering taking Pickens early in 2026 drafts should be wary of what is shaping up to be a messy contract situation.

Brandin Cooks vs. George Pickens

Still trying to decide between Cooks and Pickens? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Brandin Cooks is projected to score 0.0 points this week while George Pickens is projected to score 0.0 points.