Week 15 vs. Detroit
Brandin Cooks caught 3-of-5 targets for just 29 yards in the Saints Week 14 win over the Bucs. The five targets were the fewest he's seen since a Week 6 win over the Falcons. With the Saints holding a lead in the second half, they turned to their running game and Cooks was only targeted once after halftime. For those fantasy owners that survived Cooks' lack of production in Week 14 and advanced in their playoffs, Cooks will be a low-end WR2 this Sunday versus the Lions. He ranks as our WR21 for Week 15.
Week 14 at Tampa Bay
Brandin Cooks caught 6-of-10 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 13 loss to the Panthers. Despite being shadowed by Josh Norman in coverage, Cooks was able to catch a 54-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Unfortunately for Cooks owners, he suffered a concussion earlier this week and missed practice on Thursday. But he cleared the league's concussion protocol and is probable for Week 14, where he ranks as our WR19. Consider him a low-end WR2 for Sunday.
Week 13 vs Carolina
Brandin Cooks caught 5-of-8 targets for 35 yards in the Saints Week 12 loss to the Texans. The yardage output was his second lowest of the season as the entire New Orleans offense was grounded by J.J. Watt and Co. Owners will want to avoid Cooks this weekend, as he and the Saints have a rough matchup versus the Panthers' outstanding defense. Cooks will certain draw plenty of Josh Norman, which will limit his production. Travis Benjamin, Doug Baldwin, Stevie Johnson and even Brandon LaFell are better options than Cooks this week.
Week 12 at Houston
Brandin Cooks caught 5-of-8 targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints Week 10 loss to the Redskins. Both of his scores came in the first half and was only targeted four times in the second half despite New Orleans playing catch-up. At least Cooks has now managed at least 70 yards receiver or a touchdown in four straight games. He ranks as our WR17 in PPR formats for Sunday against the Texans and should be viewed as a WR2.
Week 10 at Washington
Brandin Cooks caught 4-of-6 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 9 loss to the Titans. Willie Snead led the team in targets with 10, but Cooks finished with more looks than tight end Ben Watson, who finished with five. Cooks has now secured 70-plus yards receiving in three straight games and has three touchdowns the past two weeks. Ranked as our WR18 for Week 10, view Cooks as a low-end WR2 with upside.
Week 9 vs. Tennessee
Brandin Cooks caught 6-of-8 targets for 88 yards and two touchdowns in the Saints Week 8 win over the Giants. Drew Brees threw for 511 yards and seven touchdowns, so Cooks was finally able to have one of the best games of his two-year career. While fantasy owners have mostly been disappointed with his production given his preseason expectations, at least Cooks now looks like a WR3 with upside as opposed to a WR3 with a clear ceiling. Ranked as our WR18 in standard formats this week, Cooks should be in your lineup when the Saints host the Titans on Sunday.
Week 8 vs. New York Giants
Brandin Cooks caught 6-of-13 targets for 81 yards in the Saints Week 7 win over the Colts. While the receptions and yards were the second-most of the season, Cooks continues to be merely a high-end WR3 in fantasy circles. While he's not going to burn owners with horrible weeks, he's also not going to win many games for them either. Cooks is the definition of a WR3 and should be viewed as such moving forward. He ranks as our WR29 in Week 8.
Week 7 at Indianapolis
Brandin Cooks caught 4-of-5 targets for 41 yards in the Saints Week 6 win over the Falcons. It was another quiet night for the former first-round pick, who is averaging just 8.79 fantasy points per game in standard and 13.6 PPG in PPR leagues this season. Cooks ranks as our WR27 for Week 8 and despite having a good matchup against the Colts 23rd-ranked fantasy defense aginast receivers, should be viewed as a WR3 only.
Week 6 vs. Atlanta
Brandin Cooks caught 5-of-9 targets for 107 yards and a touchdown in the Saints Week 5 win over the Eagles. Granted, three of Cooks' receptions as well as his touchdown came on New Orleans' meaningless final drive, but frustrated fantasy owners will take the production. Now Drew Brees is healthy and taking shots down field again, Cooks' fantasy stock should be on the upswing. While he hasn't looked anywhere close to being the WR1 many owners drafted him to be, Cooks will be a solid WR2 against the Falcons on Thursday night. He ranks as our WR18 for Week 6 and should be in your lineup.
Week 5 at Philadelphia
Brandin Cooks caught just four-of-eight targets for 25 yards in the Saints Week 4 win over the Cowboys. He continues to disappoint for fantasy owners who believed he would emerge as a legit WR1 option with Jimmy Graham traded to Seattle. Through four weeks, he's on pace for 80 catches and 860 yards, but has yet to score a touchdown. Ranked as our WR24 in PPR leagues, Cooks has a great matchup versus fantasy's No. 31-ranked defense against receivers. But as owners have become accustomed to with Cooks, it doesn't mean he'll have a breakout performance. Cooks is a WR3 for the time being.
