Week 4 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Brandin Cooks is going to be frustrating like this sometimes. You'll have games like Week 1 against the Colts (7-82) and then games like last week against the Bears (2-22). That's the nature of the Texans offense and quarterback Davis Mills. But Cooks is still the clear WR1 in Houston and the Chargers present a good matchup for Cooks to take advantage of and get back closer to his Week 1 numbers. It's always tough to start offensive players for the Texans, but the volume alone for Cooks makes him at least flex-worthy, especially against a banged-up Chargers team that is badly missing J.C. Jackson.
Week 3 at Chicago Bears
Surprise, surprise, Brandin Cooks is the favorite target for Davis Mills. Cooks has already seen 22 targets this season, catching 11 of them for 136 yards. That trend will certainly continue. Surprisingly, the Bears rank 7th so far in total pass defense but 17th in Pass DVOA. Just due to volume, Cooks continues to be a solid WR2 option this week.
Week 2 at Denver Broncos
The Houston offense may still be rough overall, but the one constant continues to be Brandin Cooks, who got off to another strong start on his quest for yet another 1,000-yard season. He saw 12 targets and caught seven of them for 82 yards. Davis Mills will keep looking for him early and often. He'll likely see a lot of one of the best young cornerbacks in the game this week in Patrick Surtain II. In fact, no Seattle receiver had more than 50 yards in Week 1. That said, the sheer volume Cooks continues to get makes him very much a WR2 option.
Week 1 vs. Indianapolis Colts
The Texans locked up Brandin Cooks to a new two-year contract, so they still like having Cooks around and so does QB Davis Mills. Cooks had five games with at least 100 yards last season and hit 1,000 yards for the sixth time in his career. He should get off to a good start against the Colts, a team he almost had 100 yards against in Week 6 last season. Cooks takes his usual spot as a strong WR2 in fantasy circles this week.
2022 Fantasy Upside
Although his name was bandied about in trade rumblings once again, Brandin Cooks isn't going anywhere after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with the Texans in March. Drafted 20th overall in 2014 by the Saints, Cooks has played for the Saints, Patriots, Rams and Texans after being traded three times in his career. The 28-year-old is easily one of the best players on a talent-starved Houston roster. Last year Cooks led the Texans with 90 catches for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns. Since arriving in the NFL, the 2014 first-round pick hasn't experienced the kind of breakthrough that put him in the elite tier at his position. However, as BleacherReport.com notes, the floor for Cooks has always remained high. He has failed to crack 1,000 yards only twice. The first was when he was limited to 10 games as a rookie and the second came in 2019, when he had to compete for targets with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods in Los Angeles. Texans coordinator Pep Hamilton said that bringing back Cooks ensures Houston will have a go-to threat that defenses must game-plan for each week. At the very least he'll continue to provide the Davis Mills and the Houston offense with a play-making presence it otherwise lacks.
2022 Fantasy Downside
General concerns about the Texans' offense might be an issue. But it's hard to find a lot of downside given Cook's reasonable ADP.
2022 Bottom Line
If you're concerned about Mills, 4for4's John Paulsen notes the QB played pretty well as a rookie and targeted Cooks on 28.3 percent of his attempts in 12 games. Cooks averaged 6.2 receptions for 65.5 yards and 0.42 touchdowns in that span, which translates to 105 catches for 1,113 yards and 7.1 touchdowns over the course of a 17-game season. All of this prompted Paulsen to add: "As the 29th receiver off the board in early Underdog drafts, Cooks might be the biggest value at his position."
Week 17 vs 49ers
Brandin Cooks is off the COVID list and just in time for a matchup with the 49ers, who check in at No. 21 against wide receivers in our rankings. Cooks has two straight 100-yard games. Davis Mills loves him and will continue to feed him. Cooks may very well be a key part of many top DFS lineups and might even win some season-long leagues as well.
Week 15 vs Jaguars
Brandin Cooks scored his first 100-yard game since Week 3 as he caught eight passes for 101 yards on 11 targets against the Seahawks. He also had a 100-yard game in Week 1 against the Jaguars, and that's who Houston gets again this week. Cooks has shown he can produce no matter who is under center and clearly, Davis Mills loves him. He's again a very good flex option.
Week 13 vs Colts
After a very quiet outing against the Titans in Week 12, Brandin Cooks bounced back to score just his third touchdown of the season last week against the Jets. Hopefully seeing the Colts again gets Cooks back on track. He had 89 yards on nine catches (13 targets) in the first meeting and that was with Davis Mills at quarterback. Imagine what could potentially happen with Tyrod Taylor under center. Cooks is a borderline WR2 this week.
Week 12 vs Jets
Houston didn't need to pass much against the Titans, so Brandin Cooks had another quiet day. But this could be his week. The Jets just look lost and Tyrod Taylor seems to have found his groove again, so here's hoping and thinking Cooks gets his third touchdown of the season.
Week 11 vs Titans
If there's one team Brandin Cooks has enjoyed playing in recent memory, it's the Titans. Cooks totaled three touchdowns in the two games against Tennessee last season. including a line of 11/166/2 in Week 17 last season. And Tennessee has surprisingly been pretty giving to opposing wide receivers this season, so this is a spot where Cooks may put up some better numbers. He's at least worth a look among your flex options.
