Who Should I Start? Mike Evans or Brandin Cooks

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
11.6 0.0 0.0 3.8 53.6 0.4

Mike Evans News

Can Mike Evans Return to WR1 Form in 2026?

Wednesday, July 1, 5:37 AM

A broken collarbone, a concussion, and a nagging hamstring issue limited six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans to only eight games in 2025, ending his historic run of 1,000-yard campaigns. In signing a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, Evans will seek a fresh start for his 13th season, and if health allows him to stay on the field, he could be well-positioned for a 2026 bounceback. Throughout his career, Evans has been one of the most productive players in the league with two or fewer receivers on the field, and with head coach Kyle Shanahan's propensity for fullback usage, that is a situation he should find himself in regularly. The team's leading wide receiver from each of the past two seasons, Jauan Jennings, departed in free agency, and with All-Pro tight end George Kittle potentially requiring an early-season ramp-up period as he recovers from a torn Achilles, San Francisco's offense could run through Evans and Christian McCaffrey to begin the year. At almost 33 years old, the health concerns that plagued his final season in Tampa have not suddenly disappeared, but as RotoBaller's WR26, Evans is a pure upside swing in 2026 drafts, and if he can manage anything close to a full season, he could ultimately finish the year in familiar territory among fantasy's biggest difference-makers.

BENCH

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 Wants to Sign With a Team Before Training Camp

Friday, July 10, 9:25 AM

Veteran free-agent wide receiver Brandin Cooks intends to be on a roster within the next few weeks before training camps start around the NFL, according to Tim Graham of The Athletic. Cooks' agent, Ryan Tollner, said plenty of contending teams have extended offers to his client, but the 32-year-old veteran's preference is to run it back with the Buffalo Bills. "Obviously, Buffalo is the place I'd love to be," Cooks said. "I want to prove that to them and have a full offseason with them. Both sides are figuring things out. We'll see, but hopefully something transpires because I love going to training camp. That's where you build that callus." He's exactly 189 yards from reaching the 10,000-yard mark for his career, something only 52 WRs have done before. Cooks has never made the Pro Bowl despite being the only player to have three straight 1,000-yard seasons with different teams. The former first-rounder by the New Orleans Saints in 2014 caught 24 of 36 targets for 279 yards and no touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (five starts) with the Saints and Bills last year. If he latches on with a team this summer, Cooks will be battling to make the 53-man roster out of camp.

Mike Evans vs. Brandin Cooks

Still trying to decide between Evans and Cooks? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Mike Evans is projected to score 11.6 points this week while Brandin Cooks is projected to score 0.0 points.