As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of Brandin Cooks.
Brandin Cooks’ Dynasty Outlook and Value
Prior to the 2022 season, Cooks had production you could basically write in pen. He had exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in six of the previous seven years. He was a lock for WR2 production, without fail, every season.
From 2014-2021, except for 2019, Cooks averaged between 13.7 and 16.4 ppg every year. Fantasy managers knew what they were getting from Cooks.
Nevertheless, there were obvious concerns when Cooks went from explosive offense after explosive offense to signing with the Texans in 2020. Yet, Cooks persisted. He finished as a mid WR2 in 2020 and 2021. Accordingly, there was little reason to doubt he would do it again in 2022.
Instead, Cooks had the second-worst season of his career, averaging a career-low 53.8 yards per game, and his 21% target share was a 6% drop from 2021.
Cooks no longer possesses any sort of WR1 ceiling. To be fair, he hasn’t had that sort of upside since his time with the Rams. However, I’m not ready to write the eulogy on Cooks’ career of fantasy relevance either.
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Cooks will turn 30 years old this season. While that’s obviously old in NFL years, wide receivers can typically play at a high level until age 31/32. Without obvious signs of decline, Cooks should still have another couple of years left. And despite the poor season, I don’t think his skills have eroded by any significant margin. Of course, that could happen this season, but I lean more on the side of Cooks having another year or three left.
So, what does this mean for Cooks’ dynasty value? It’s tricky. Cooks voiced his displeasure with where the Texans are headed as an organization. He does not want to be part of a rebuild. And who can blame him?
At his age, if Cooks sticks around for a rebuild, he’ll be done by the time the team is ready to compete. Cooks wants to win now while he can still contribute in a meaningful way.
He demanded a trade midseason, but Houston was unable to find a partner. While the offense should improve with a rookie first-round quarterback under center, Cooks doesn’t seem like he wants to stick around and find out. As a result, Cooks is very likely going to be playing elsewhere in 2023.
Cooks has one year left on his current contract. The Texans cannot cut him, though. Cutting Cooks comes with a $34.1 million dead cap hit. Suffice it to say Cooks’ contract is not very team friendly at the moment. The most likely outcome is a trade to a contender in need of a WR2.
Brandin Cooks’ Fantasy Ranking
Obviously, where Cooks lands will impact his fantasy value. However, it is a certainty that Cooks’ offensive situation will improve in 2023, assuming the Texans can find a trade.
3/20 Update: Cooks was indeed traded. The Texans shipped him off to the Cowboys for a fifth and sixth round pick, slightly more than the Cowboys got for Amari Cooper last year. The landing spot in Dallas is about as good as it possibly could’ve gotten.
At this point in his career, Cooks can’t be a WR1 for an NFL team. In Dallas, he’ll get to be the WR2 on one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Not only that, this is a passing game that not just specifically needs a WR2, but needs one that looks exactly like Cooks. It really is the perfect fit. Cooks will give Dak Prescott everything CeeDee Lamb cannot.
With that said, fantasy managers with Cooks need to look at him on a year-to-year basis. No one is acquiring him expecting some long-term value. Cooks is an asset exclusively for win-now teams … if you believe he can still contribute.
I, like many others, felt this way about Allen Robinson II last season. Turns out, he’s just done. That’s a risk with older receivers. It’s a risk with Cooks. The only confident move is trading him if you’re a rebuilding team. There’s just no point in rostering a guy like Cooks if you’re not trying to win this year.
But even if you’re a contender, I’m not sure Cooks really moves the needle either. He’s really a guy you try and trade if you have him or leave him be if you don’t.
At best, Cooks can probably produce low-WR2 value for another couple of years. At worst, 2022 was the beginning of the end, and we’ve already seen the last of Cooks as a fantasy-relevant player.
The good news is it won’t really cost you much to find out. Cooks currently sits at WR48 (No. 126 overall) in our dynasty Superflex rankings. So, if you’re doing a dynasty startup draft this spring or summer, there’s no real risk or downside in drafting Cooks. Nevertheless, given his age and uncertain team situation, I prefer a wait-and-see approach with Cooks.