Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Brandin Cooks

Tuesday, November 25, 11:11 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) has been on Injured Reserve since late October after suffering a broken collarbone in Week 7. Evans is now technically eligible to have his return window opened, but he is not expected to be active for Tampa Bay's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. However, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Monday that Evans is on track to return before the end of the regular season. Across four games so far in 2025, the 32-year-old has recorded 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on 30 targets. While the Buccaneers have a breakout star in rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, Evans should re-assume his role as the team's WR1 once he is able to return to the field. In fantasy leagues where Evans may have been dropped, managers may be wise to pick him up and stash him for a few weeks before he garners heavy attention on the waiver wire.

Wednesday, November 26, 12:45 AM

Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks signed with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday and figures to immediately factor into the Bills' plan at wide receiver in some capacity. The Bills have been tinkering with their wide receivers on the roster over the past few weeks, trying to find the right combination on the field. They signed the former Buffalo Bill Gabe Davis back to the roster along with former Kansas City Chiefs wideout Mecole Hardman, but then he was placed on injured reserve with a calf injury. Second-year wideout Keon Coleman has served as a healthy inactive for the past two games for disciplinary reasons. Cooks will have an opportunity to make an impact, although it will take him some time to get up to speed. The veteran hasn't shown much in the past two seasons with the Saints and Cowboys, but he isn't too far removed from a solid 2023 season with the Cowboys, where he recorded 54 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns on eight targets in 16 games. Cooks could be worth monitoring over the next few weeks to see how he is integrated into the offense.