Brandin Cooks

Week 7 vs. Atlanta Falcons

The Patriots have the highest implied total in Vegas this week, possibly foreshadowing a shootout. The Falcons are about league average in our aFPA vs. WR rankings and a respectable 11th in overall PPR points allowed to the position. Cooks has set a season-high in targets in back-to-back weeks, but it's important to note that with the Saints, he did not crack 50 yards or a touchdown in his last four games against the Falcons. Consider him a risky WR2 this week.

Week 5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brandin Cooks has yet to get more than seven targets in a game this season, leading to more of the same we've seen in his career, week-to-week fantasy inconsistency. You start him, though, because when he's on, he can be a weekly winner. Against Tampa Bay on Thursday Night, he's a WR2 in PPR again with upside. In two games with the Saints against the Bucs last year, Cooks did not score and averaged 12.95 PPR points. The Bucs are a great matchup too, ranked just 31st in our aFPA vs. PPR WRs. Despite it being a Thursday Night game, the Patriots have the highest implied total in Vegas for Week 5 at 30.75 points.

Week 3 vs. Houston Texans

The Patriots are double-digit home favorites against the Texans and have the highest Vegas implied team total for the second week in a row at 29 points. Can Cooks finally get on the same page with Tom Brady? That remains to be seen. Outside receivers have not been consistent fantasy options on a weekly basis since Randy Moss. Just 4 targets last week and 5 receptions on the season and no touchdowns. That will change eventually, but when? That's the point, it's looking like a weekly guessing game with so many options for Tom Brady. The Texans are ranked third-best in our aFPA vs. PPR WRs. Consider Cooks a boom-or-bust WR2 yet again this week.