WR Brandin Cooks, Free Agent (8 Viewers)

[msudaisy26]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

 

[Jack White]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

Redraft.

And I debated leaving Evans off that list as I agree.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

I would pick him over Sanders (more run heavy offense this year), Kelvin (not impressed by him and expect regression), maybe TY (didn't do well in 2nd half of 2014 season). No way I would take him over Hopkins or Evans.

 

[Slider]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

In a Dynasty format I like him as much as Evans and TY. Hopkins' QB makes me nervous and Sanders in two years is meh. But this is about Cooks and I think he lights it up this year.

 

[Shutout]

I think Cooks is the type of player who could make the most significant impact of the year compared to expectations of other 2nd year players and rookies.

 

[TheBottomLine]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

In a re-draft PPR there is a case to be made for Cooks over Evans. I'd take Evans but it's not nearly as one-sided as you make it seem.

 

[Faust]

Ranking the New Orleans Saints' 2015 roster: No. 4 Brandin Cooks

 

[TZMarkie]

So I have been closely watching this guy Cooks.....looking over the games he appeared in last year.

He at first looks inconsistent, and in a few games he seemed to disappear, or either Brees didn't give him but a select few targets.

But the bottom line, is the guy is a monster.

He had 70 targets, and missed 6 games. With the mass exodus of WRs on the Saints, he should be in for a ton more targets.

(for this reason I also think Colston is a bit of a steal too, especially at his ADP)

The one thing that is exciting to me, is they apparently have no problems giving the guy a scant few carries here and there, and some "end arounds" sprinkled in.

This sort of reminds me of the situation Percy Harvin was in a number of years back, on the Vikings.

Last year he had 7 carries for 73 yards, 4 first downs, and 1 TD on these carries.

Combine all this with the uptick in targets, he will easily be one I will look for in spots in drafts, and he may well end up a real difference maker on some squads.

This is looking more and more like one of my top 5 "go to" guys in drafts this year.

I do have a small concern with the Saints seemingly wanting to be a bit more run based, but this IS Drew Brees.

Even with the crazy CJ Spiller hype, Cooks is going to be the one true electric receiver the Saints have.

Hopefully he has a quiet and unassuming preseason, keeping the hype down a bit as the drafts are approaching.

TZM

 

[(HULK)]

As a Cooks owner last year, I'm just not a believer. He'll get the volume, but I can't see him finishing above say WR15 at his very best. I feel like there are better options when he is going off the draft board.

 

[MattFancy]

I remember owning Cooks last year and he was a totally different player at home compared to on the road.

Home:

5 games

33 rec

364yds

2TDs

Road:

5 games

20 rec

186yds

1TD

That's a pretty sizable difference. The Saints offense is usually not nearly as good on the road. I don't see how that changes this year.

 

[Joe T]

Here is why Brandin Cooks is rocketing up draft boards right now

 

[Faust]

Saints WR Brandin Cooks does nothing to quiet hype in opener

 

[Milkman]

The TD that was waved off shows a little of what worries me with Cooks. He can't let the DB push him off his route. I'm not sure he's tough enough to be dominant in the NFL. He's fast, smart, and he's going to work his ### off. So he'll be solid barring injury.

Watching college tape I remember thinking he gets pushed around a little.

 

[DropKick]

The TD that was waved off shows a little of what worries me with Cooks. He can't let the DB push him off his route. I'm not sure he's tough enough to be dominant in the NFL. He's fast, smart, and he's going to work his ### off. So he'll be solid barring injury.

Watching college tape I remember thinking he gets pushed around a little.

Interesting fact is that Cooks was leading all rookies in receptions when he got hurt last season. Granted, Beckham had a finish for the ages, but that was a significant accomplishment for Cooks given how good the rookie WRs were last season.

 

[Milkman]

That had more to do with the role he stepped into than anything he was doing. I don't mean to make it seem like there's nothing to get excited about. Great hands, good routes, elite speed, but is he tough enough because he's almost never going to get a free release.

 

[DropKick]

That had more to do with the role he stepped into than anything he was doing. I don't mean to make it seem like there's nothing to get excited about. Great hands, good routes, elite speed, but is he tough enough because he's almost never going to get a free release.

Like anything else, you work at it. Plenty of highly productive "smallish" receivers in the league - TY Hilton, Antonio Brown, etc.

Personally, I'd rather see Cooks in a 1b role.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Saints WR Brandin Cooks does nothing to quiet hype in opener

Top 3 passing team? Maybe top 5.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Could the injury to RB CJ Spiller mean more looks for WR Brandin Cooks?

Spiller has had a lot of past injuries and Sig has moved him down his ranking board after being very-high on him early-on before the injury bug bit.

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Sigmund Bloom ‏@SigmundBloom Aug 15

But Dr. @JeneBramel also warns that if trouble after Spiller surgery then this can linger causing soreness, swelling, game limitations, etc

Sigmund Bloom ‏@SigmundBloom Aug 15

My added commentary is that Spiller tends to have trouble playing at high level thru injuries & getting back to 100% on schedule

Sigmund Bloom ‏@SigmundBloom Aug 15

Moved Spiller down to 5th/6th round value on this news. Will start moving back up toward original 3rd/4th value in two wks if no bad news

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[nittanylion]

I'm excited about the Saints offensive outlook, Spiller or not. Just like we were/are going to see plenty of looks with both Ingram and Spiller on the field together, now we're going to see another intriguing duo of Ingram/Robinson, who might just be the best pure RB of the bunch. I'm very excited about Brandon Coleman, and although I'm not expecting as much as some others out of Josh Hill, I think the tandem of Hill/Watson is capable of generating decent things for this offense, although in my opinion, not fantasy-starter numbers. How this relates to Cooks: I'm not 'excited' about Cooks, because I just accept the idea that he's going to get his and be a borderline #1 WR in PPR - I think he lives up to expectations, in other words - but the guy I'm really excited about (admittedly tempered by the injury spectre) is Marques Colston. Provided he stays healthy, I think he's going to tremendously outperform his ADP. Now, a big part of that excitement had to do with Spiller, Cooks and to some extent Ingram and Coleman being on the field at the same time, creating space and matchup problems that should allow Brees to feed Colston a ton of short to intermediate range looks off of slants against likely single coverage, I really don't think they lose a great deal with Robinson moving into Ingram's role, and Ingram moving into Spiller's, though. Just my opinion, and probably in the minority here, but it is what it is.

 

[Faust]

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks is Randy Moss approved

 

[TripItUp]

Ranked about right...was hoping he'd fly under the radar, but he's ranked about right.

 

[savemejee]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

In a re-draft PPR there is a case to be made for Cooks over Evans. I'd take Evans but it's not nearly as one-sided as you make it seem.

I'd take Cooks over Evans in a blink.

Winston vs. Brees

Vincent Jackson vs. I don't even know

 

[Mingooch]

Still would take Evans, but it is close

 

[JetMaxx]

Cooks owner here, I'd prefer Evans. I can't say he's not the next Antonio Brown but Evans' talent at his size is a more consistent WR success barometer. If Brees were 4 yrs younger I'd give the QB situation more credence in my decision.

 

[jtd13]

Cooks owner here, I'd prefer Evans. I can't say he's not the next Antonio Brown but Evans' talent at his size is a more consistent WR success barometer. If Brees were 4 yrs younger I'd give the QB situation more credence in my decision.

Does QB age matter for redraft? I think that's what the discussion was.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Cooks owner here, I'd prefer Evans. I can't say he's not the next Antonio Brown but Evans' talent at his size is a more consistent WR success barometer. If Brees were 4 yrs younger I'd give the QB situation more credence in my decision.

Does QB age matter for redraft? I think that's what the discussion was.

nope, Im all over this kid in PPR

 

[Milkman]

I haven't watched the game but the stat line tonight looks sexy.

 

[SameSongNDance]

Drew Brees 45 yard TD pass to Brandon Cooks.

 

[msudaisy26]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

In a re-draft PPR there is a case to be made for Cooks over Evans. I'd take Evans but it's not nearly as one-sided as you make it seem.

I'd take Cooks over Evans in a blink.

Winston vs. Brees

Vincent Jackson vs. I don't even know

Really you don't even know? Winston could help Evans, young quarterbacks tend to lock onto one receiver and Evans is clearly the best receiver on that team. Great quarterbacks like Brees, spread the ball around, even in his prime Colston was 2 tier fantasy receiver.

 

[Milkman]

Drew Brees 45 yard TD pass to Brandon Cooks.

I want to get excited but I can't until I see him beat press coverage more. He got a free release with help over the top and just ran past everybody.

 

[Milkman]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

No one in their right mind would take him over Evans, after that it is a toss up. If this is dynasty Sanders shouldn't even be on that list.

In a re-draft PPR there is a case to be made for Cooks over Evans. I'd take Evans but it's not nearly as one-sided as you make it seem.

I'd take Cooks over Evans in a blink.

Winston vs. Brees

Vincent Jackson vs. I don't even know

Really you don't even know? Winston could help Evans, young quarterbacks tend to lock onto one receiver and Evans is clearly the best receiver on that team. Great quarterbacks like Brees, spread the ball around, even in his prime Colston was 2 tier fantasy receiver.

Evans unlike a WR like Watkins makes his QB's job easier. Evans can be a safety valve that Winston just throws it up to and Evans will go up and get it. Watkins relies more on route running and timing which needs more skill from the QB.Evans will be fine.

 

[TripItUp]

Evans unlike a WR like Watkins makes his QB's job easier. Evans can be a safety valve that Winston just throws it up to and Evans will go up and get it. Watkins relies more on route running and timing which needs more skill from the QB.Evans will be fine.

If Jameis has a few more bumpy preseason outings, there is reason for concern.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/08/23/bill-belichick-im-glad-we-dont-have-to-play-brandin-cooks-twice-a-year/

Bill Belichick: I’m glad we don’t have to play Brandin Cooks twice a year​

Patriots coach Bill Belichick got a lot of time to watch members of the Saints this week during a pair of practices and Saturday’s preseason game and he was left with a positive review of one member of the New Orleans offense.

Wide receiver Brandin Cooks didn’t give Patriots defensive backs any clues about how to stop him during those practice sessions because he caught four passes for 117 yards at the Superdome. One of those catches was a 45-yard touchdown from Drew Brees and the sum total of Cooks’ work led to a handshake from Belichick on the field and some praise from the Pats coach after the contest.

“I’m glad we don’t have to play him twice a year, he’s not in our division,” Belichick said, via the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “He’s a really good player.”

Cooks had 53 catches for 550 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, but missed the final six games of the season with a broken thumb. He caught a touchdown in the preseason opener as well and says that the injury left him hungrier heading into his second year. He ate well on Saturday and should continue to get chances to feed as long as he and Brees are healthy in 2015.

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[(HULK)]

I'm still worried about him. Jam him at the line and he can't beat it

 

[Milkman]

That's what he 's going to see all the time too. Jam him at the line and help over the top. No Jimmy Graham anymore. He's still going to get some free releases from time to time but teams will do everything they can to keep him in front of them and hit him when he catches it.

 

[-jb-]

there are so many ways to avoid the jam now, I don't see it as a big deal. Home run guy who could win you games in the right scoring system.

 

[Milkman]

there are so many ways to avoid the jam now, I don't see it as a big deal. Home run guy who could win you games in the right scoring system.

They're going to put him in motion some so he can't be jammed at the line and smaller receivers are doing better in the league with less contact being allowed. Plus he could take a big step this year with his technique and he's only 21 or 22 years old. Lots of stuff to be excited about. It's just going to be surprising if teams just let him run free like he did on that 45 yard TD catch.

 

[Bri]

I'm still worried about him. Jam him at the line and he can't beat it

This is a normal transition for young WRs. They fall for this every time, then they figure it out and DBs are left in their dust.

I can't recall if they tried to jam him last night but he seemed to last year. I figure he's fine.

Did you see something in week 1 to think he'd still fall for it?

 

[cvnpoka]

No coach can just become more balanced. They do what they do and they'll get fired doing it. They've done it one way all their life and it's what they know. I can't believe people think Payton has Brees and he's going to run it more. Seems to me if he's on the hot seat he's going to use his best weapons to win.

Becoming more balanced is much easier said than done. He may well want to but when the game's on the line he's going to what he knows best and throwing it.

I think Cooks beats those projections handily.

Would you take him at Pick 25 (PPR) over the likes of Sanders, Kelvin, TY, Hopkins and Evans?

I would pick him over Sanders (more run heavy offense this year), Kelvin (not impressed by him and expect regression), maybe TY (didn't do well in 2nd half of 2014 season). No way I would take him over Hopkins or Evans.

who is this TY that didnt do well in the 2nd half of 2014? surely not the guy who put up 35-634-6 in weeks 8-15 before sitting weeks 16 and 17.

 

[cvnpoka]

So I have been closely watching this guy Cooks.....looking over the games he appeared in last year.

He at first looks inconsistent, and in a few games he seemed to disappear, or either Brees didn't give him but a select few targets.

But the bottom line, is the guy is a monster.

He had 70 targets, and missed 6 games. With the mass exodus of WRs on the Saints, he should be in for a ton more targets.

(for this reason I also think Colston is a bit of a steal too, especially at his ADP)

The one thing that is exciting to me, is they apparently have no problems giving the guy a scant few carries here and there, and some "end arounds" sprinkled in.

This sort of reminds me of the situation Percy Harvin was in a number of years back, on the Vikings.

Last year he had 7 carries for 73 yards, 4 first downs, and 1 TD on these carries.

Combine all this with the uptick in targets, he will easily be one I will look for in spots in drafts, and he may well end up a real difference maker on some squads.

This is looking more and more like one of my top 5 "go to" guys in drafts this year.

I do have a small concern with the Saints seemingly wanting to be a bit more run based, but this IS Drew Brees.

Even with the crazy CJ Spiller hype, Cooks is going to be the one true electric receiver the Saints have.

Hopefully he has a quiet and unassuming preseason, keeping the hype down a bit as the drafts are approaching.

TZM

hes the only game in town and hes got a lot of talent and unique athleticism. i think hes pretty much a lock for 100+ catches. his ypc may remain low; it was last yr, but with the sort of high floor he has, his ppr value is huge. id proly avoid him in standard. i think he hits 100-1100-7 very often.

 

[jtd13]

So I guess I'm a little more on board with this guy than I thought. Turned down a trade offer (Dynasty PPR) that was essentially Cooks and JStew for Alshon. In the end I just wanted to hang onto Cooks because A) I like watching him and having him on my team, and B) If he has the year I think he can, he will be worth more than Alshon next offseason. I know, cool story bro, it just surprised me a little.

Regarding his play against press coverage, guys like Brown tend to be neutralized when you lock them up as well, but Brown can avoid the jam so well with his short area quickness. I think that's a skill Cooks has/can develop. I will admit I haven't seen any specific examples of that in the pros.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I'm still worried about him. Jam him at the line and he can't beat it

That's what he 's going to see all the time too. Jam him at the line and help over the top. No Jimmy Graham anymore. He's still going to get some free releases from time to time but teams will do everything they can to keep him in front of them and hit him when he catches it.

This is where Payton comes in, he's been scheming WRs much more mediocre in talent than Cooks into the open for years now.

 

[Milkman]

So I guess I'm a little more on board with this guy than I thought. Turned down a trade offer (Dynasty PPR) that was essentially Cooks and JStew for Alshon. In the end I just wanted to hang onto Cooks because A) I like watching him and having him on my team, and B) If he has the year I think he can, he will be worth more than Alshon next offseason. I know, cool story bro, it just surprised me a little.

Regarding his play against press coverage, guys like Brown tend to be neutralized when you lock them up as well, but Brown can avoid the jam so well with his short area quickness. I think that's a skill Cooks has/can develop. I will admit I haven't seen any specific examples of that in the pros.

I couldn't have turned that down. I like Cooks but Alshon is a proven commodity. Cooks hasn't proven anything yet really.

 

[jtd13]

So I guess I'm a little more on board with this guy than I thought. Turned down a trade offer (Dynasty PPR) that was essentially Cooks and JStew for Alshon. In the end I just wanted to hang onto Cooks because A) I like watching him and having him on my team, and B) If he has the year I think he can, he will be worth more than Alshon next offseason. I know, cool story bro, it just surprised me a little.

Regarding his play against press coverage, guys like Brown tend to be neutralized when you lock them up as well, but Brown can avoid the jam so well with his short area quickness. I think that's a skill Cooks has/can develop. I will admit I haven't seen any specific examples of that in the pros.

I couldn't have turned that down. I like Cooks but Alshon is a proven commodity. Cooks hasn't proven anything yet really.

I don't disagree that the value was on the side of Alshon right now, and he's obviously more proven. I just like Cooks and would rather have him in that league. I think his value will increase before next off-season.

 

[TripItUp]

Cooks just went at 2.05 in my FFPC satellite league...feels like he's getting into overvalued territory for me. I took Alshon at 2.08.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Cooks just went at 2.05 in my FFPC satellite league...feels like he's getting into overvalued territory for me. I took Alshon at 2.08.

I would rather have Cooks than Alshon. Alshon has had nagging injuries half the offseason and is in a far worse offense. I got Cooks at 3.07 in the FPC which is much more appropriate.

 

[Milkman]

Cooks just went at 2.05 in my FFPC satellite league...feels like he's getting into overvalued territory for me. I took Alshon at 2.08.

I would rather have Cooks than Alshon. Alshon has had nagging injuries half the offseason and is in a far worse offense. I got Cooks at 3.07 in the FPC which is much more appropriate.

hmmmm in dynasty its still Alshon imo. Significant gap too. I mean if Cooks takes the next step then I could see it being close but right now we still don't know what we have with Cooks.

 

[John Paul]

I had Cooks ranked #1 overall in a recent keeper league. I had Alshon #2. When it came to my pick at #7 both were staring at me. I went with Alshon; it's not because of any knocks on Cooks. the reason I went that way is that I had lost Jordy as a keeper WR and I wanted, like mentioned before, a more proven commodity that had keeper potential.

I still wish I had some Cooks shares in one of my leagues, but it didn't work out that way. Good luck to him, I think big things are on the horizon.

 

[Jack White]

I absolutely love Cooks this year. I think his yards-per-reception is going to be in the 12-13 range, with 100 receptions and 10 TDs.

That's a sure-fire WR1 in PPR.

 

[Ilov80s]

I absolutely love Cooks this year. I think his yards-per-reception is going to be in the 12-13 range, with 100 receptions and 10 TDs.

That's a sure-fire WR1 in PPR.

I am envisioning Antonio Brown 2013.