Who Should I Start? Brandin Cooks or Ray-Ray McCloud III

Saturday, September 6, 11:01 AM

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks returns to the Big Easy after previously playing with the team from 2014-2016. Last year in Dallas, he caught 26 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. Cooks was named one of eight team captains ahead of Week 1 against the Cardinals and is listed as a starter. However, he'll have to compete with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and star running back Alvin Kamara for targets while second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler is under center. For fantasy purposes, Cooks should be off radars, with only slight appeal if any of the primary pass-catchers miss time.

Saturday, September 13, 11:26 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III garnered five targets in Week 1, turning them into three receptions for 51 yards with a long of 24 yards. That's about as good as one could hope for from the veteran receiver, and although the team gets Darnell Mooney (shoulder) back in the mix this week, Casey Washington (concussion) will be out with a concussion, and Washington drew six targets in Week 1. It likely means about the same should be expected of McCloud in Week 2 on the road against the Vikings, but with his targets typically of the short variety and not usually a threat to score (one touchdown in '24 on 62 receptions), the 28-year-old is relegated to the WR5 range or a low-end Flex option in PPR leagues.