Week 17 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Brandin Cooks is back and he caught the game-winning touchdown last week to knock the Titans out of first place in the AFC South. Cooks saw nine targets last week and looks to be back as the WR1 in Houston. The issue is the inconsistency of the quarterback position and who even is on the field on each play. Cooks is a low-end WR3/Flex option for the fantasy finals.
Week 16 at Tennessee Titans
Brandin Cooks looks set to return this week for his first game since Week 12. Cooks has not been the receiver we've known over the years but that can be chalked up to his quarterback play this season. Cooks hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 4 and has reached 80 yards just once this season. Cooks is a low and risky flex play this week against the Titans.
Week 13 vs. Cleveland Browns
Brandin Cooks saw five targets in Kyle Allen's first start for the Texans and caught all five of them for 59 yards. It helped that the Texans were throwing a bunch in garbage time, after being down 30-0 at halftime. It also marked Cooks' second straight double-digit fantasy day and third in his last four games. Early on, we may see a connection between Allen and Cooks. But against a solid Browns secondary, it could be another tough task for the Texans through the air. Cooks is a flex option at best this week.
Week 12 at Miami Dolphins
We finally saw a glimpse of the Brandin Cooks we used to know with 70 yards, only the third time he cracked 70 yards this season. The question now is how he'll do with a quarterback change as the Texans are now rolling with Kyle Allen as the starter. It's understandable if you choose to stay away from Cooks because of the uncertainty with Allen. He's a deep option regardless with no teams on a bye this week.
Week 11 vs. Washington Commanders
Brandin Cooks is at least still getting targets. After missing Week 9 due to personal reasons (aka he was upset Houston didn't trade him), he saw 7 targets against the Giants and now gets a matchup with a Washington team that ranks 20th in Pass DVOA, though we saw how effective their corners can be at time, especially Benjamin St. Juste, on Monday night. But in Houston's offense, Cooks is nothing more than a flex option at this stage,
Week 10 at New York Giants
Brandin Cooks missed Week 9 against the Eagles due to "personal reasons". Basically, he was upset he wasn't traded. He's back with the team, however, so we'll see how the relationship is going forward. But with the passing offense of the Texans very limited, it becomes very tricky how to deal with Cooks. He's not even a surefire flex option. We're now at the point where you need to be very cautious with Cooks going forward.
Week 9 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The trade deadline came and went and Brandin Cooks is still a Texan. The reality is his contract made a trade very difficult. So he remains in Houston, which may or may not be a good thing. He did reach 73 yards and has four straight games with at least four catches. He still only has one touchdown and getting a second on Thursday, against the duo of Darius Slay and James Bradberry, will prove quite difficult. Proceed with caution on Cooks on a short week.
Week 8 vs. Tennessee Titans
Houston's offense, overall, just hasn't really taken off and Brandin Cooks' numbers have taken a hit as a result. He has less than 50 yards in three of his last four games and his targets have actually dropped over the weeks, reaching a season-low 5 last week against the Raiders. Cooks and the Texans face an average pass defense this week in Tennessee in what could be Cooks' final game as a Texan, we'll see. Cooks is still a flex option but the ceiling feels very low anymore with Cooks as long as Davis Mills is throwing him the football.
Week 7 at Las Vegas Raiders
Brandin Cooks hasn't had a game with double-digit targets since Week 3, as Houston has deployed Dameon Pierce a lot more lately, so they haven't had to rely on Davis Mills as much. Still, Cooks is easily the best target for Mills and he does have a favorable matchup against one of the weaker pass defenses in the Raiders. Cooks is still a solid flex option, but we have to temper expectations now as long as Mills is under center.
Week 5 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Another week of at least seven targets for Brandin Cooks, as Davis Mills doesn't have too many options to throw to. This time, though, Cooks caught all seven and hauled in his first touchdown of the season. This week, he gets the Jaguars, who quietly have one of the better defenses so far in 2022, which will make it difficult for Mills to get the ball to Cooks. But with the volume he usually gets, Cooks is still a good flex option because you know he is likely to get a few catches and be the focal point of the offense.
