Week 4 vs. Dallas
Brandin Cooks caught seven-of-eight targets for 79 yards in the Saints Week 3 loss to the Panthers. He has now failed to reach the end zone in three straight games, although his seven-catch performance last week was a season-high. Cooks also suffered an ankle injury and was limited in practice this week. Once considered a low-end WR1, Cooks should be viewed as a WR3 for the time being. The Saints passing game looks directionless without defenses having to pay attention to where Jimmy Graham is lined up on a given play. Cooks is our WR26 for Week 4 and should only be considered as a WR3 against Dallas (fantasy's No. 11 defense versus wide receivers).
Week 3 at Carolina
Brandin Cooks caught five passes for 62 yards in the Saints Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. He finished with a team-high seven targets, but outside of a 21-yard reception on the final drive, couldn't shake loose in Tampa Bay's secondary. Cooks missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an ankle injury, but insists that he'll play on Sunday versus the Panthers. He'll draw a tough matchup against underrated corner Josh Norman and ranks as our WR40 for Week 3. Despite being the Saints WR1, we'd look for better streaming options for Sunday and avoid Cooks if you can. Drew Brees (shoulder) is also out and the Saints offense has looked punchless without Jimmy Graham.
Week 2 vs. Tampa Bay
Brandin Cooks caught four-of-eight targets for 49 yards and also rushed once for four yards in the Saints Week 1 loss to the Cardinals. It was a disappointing output for the second-year receiver, but he drew a tough matchup while being shadowed by Patrick Peterson throughout the game. He should bounce back this week against the Bucs and fantasy's No. 27 pass defense. He ranks as our WR10 and is a solid play in all formats.
Week 1 at Arizona
Brandin Cooks should be in your lineup this week when New Orleans heads to Arizona for its opener, but he'll receive a major challenge from cornerback Patrick Peterson. The Cardinals owned fantasy's No. 7 pass defense last season and Peterson is likely to be paired with Cooks wherever the Saints choose to line him up on the field. That said, Sean Payton has a knack for getting his backs and receivers in one-on-one matchups they can exploit. So even if Peterson shadows Cooks, the second-year receiver will receive plenty of opportunities in the Saints'passing game with Jimmy Graham (Seattle) and Kenny Stills (Miami) gone. Cooks ranks as our WR12 for Week 1 and should be in your lineup as a WR2.
Fantasy Upside
No player in New Orleans will benefit more from the Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills trades than second-year receiver Brandin Cooks. The passing game will now center on Cooks, who will be Drew Brees’ top target this season. Before injuring his thumb last year, Cooks was on pace to finish with 85 receptions. If he stays healthy, he should put up No. 1 WR production with 100 receptions and over 1,000 yards receiving. There is no receiver on the Saints’ depth chart that comes close to matching his play-making ability.
Fantasy Downside
Opponents had to design ways to bracket Graham in coverage, which left plenty of one-on-one matchups for Cooks last season. But now that Graham is in Seattle and Stills is in Miami, defenses can focus on Cooks in coverage. There is also a bit of injury risk with the 5-foot-10, 189-pounder who is being drafted in the 3-4 rounds of fantasy drafts this year. If he were to miss extensive time like he did last year, Cooks could put a damper on some fantasy owners’ seasons.
Bottom Line
The injury risk is real, but Cooks is worth a roll of the dice because of the role he’ll play in HC Sean Payton’s offense. The passing game runs through Cooks and he is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. Currently ranked as our WR15 in standard leagues and our WR14 in PPR formats, Cooks is a high-end WR2 with WR1 potential. There’s nobody on the Saints’ roster that is a threat to take looks away from Cooks this season and he could post WR1 numbers if he stays healthy.
Week 11: Cooks vs. Bengals
Brandin Cooks caught five passes on eight targets for 90 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ Week 10 win over the 49ers. Cooks was able to beat fellow rookie Jimmie Ward on a vertical route in the second quarter and continues to be a solid fantasy play at home this season. While he has a tough matchup against a Cincinnati team that has allowed the third fewest amount of fantasy points to receivers this season, Cooks is worthy of a flex play this week. He ranks as our No. 26 overall WR for Week 11.
Week 10: Cooks vs. 49ers
Brandin Cooks caught 3-of-3 targets for 38 yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the Panthers. Considering what he did in Week 8 against the Packers (6 catches, 94 yards, 1 TD), it was a disappointing night for Cooks owners. The good news is that the Saints return home this week where they usually light up the scoreboard and Cooks has a decent matchup against the 49ers, who own fantasy’s 20th overall pass defense. Consider Cooks a high-end WR3 as he ranks as our No. 24 overall WR in standard and our No. 21 overall WR in PPR formats.
Week 9: Cooks vs. Panthers
Brandin Cooks caught six passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Packers. Patient fantasy owners were rewarded last week as Cooks played a much larger role in Sean Payton's offense, at least compared to how he was utilized in previous weeks. The Panthers have an outstanding front four but they can be susceptible to giving up plays on the back end, so owners should take advantage of another solid matchup. Cooks is our No. 21 overall WR for Week 9 and will be a low-end WR2 for Thursday night.
Week 8: Cooks vs. Packers
Brandin Cooks caught 2-of-3 targets for 23 yards in the Saints’ Week 7 loss to the Lions. The targets were Cooks’ lowest of the season, which was shocking considering Jimmy Graham was held to just 30 snaps due to a shoulder injury. With Pierre Thomas out with an injury this Sunday, one would think that Cooks would have a big role in the game plan, but that’s what everyone thought last week. Consider him a low-end WR3 in PPR formats as he ranks as our No. 30 overall WR for Week 8.
Week 7: Cooks vs. Lions
Brandin Cooks caught nine-of-12 targets for 56 yards in the Saints’ Week 5 win over the Bucs. Fantasy owners are probably frustrated by his overall usage but he’s on pace for 102 catches as he continues to fill the role that Darren Sproles used to in Sean Payton’s offense. With Jimmy Graham expected to miss Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, Cooks should see plenty of touches in the Saints’ passing game. Consider him a solid WR2 in all formats and get him in your lineup.
