Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or John Brown

Thursday, September 17, 2:01 PM

The Baltimore Ravens worked out veteran free-agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks on Thursday, according to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. The Ravens' receiving depth is going to be tested early in the 2026 season after rookie Ja'Kobi Lane suffered a fractured wrist in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and top wideout Zay Flowers (hamstring) is also questionable to play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. With both Flowers and Lane potentially out this weekend, Baltimore could be looking at a starting three-wide set of veteran Rashod Bateman, rookie Elijah Sarratt, and Devontez Walker. The soon-to-be 33-year-old Cooks has six 1,000-yard receiving seasons to his name in 12 NFL seasons, but his last one came in 2021 with the Houston Texans. Cooks played in 15 games with the Saints and Buffalo Bills last year and had only 24 catches for 279 yards and zero touchdowns. He could be a short-term solution for the Ravens for extra depth at the position, but if he signs, he will be a long shot to return significant value in fantasy football leagues, especially as soon as this weekend.