Fantasy Upside
Brandin Cooks is coming off his fifth season with more than 1,000 receiving yards. The receiver, who is playing on his fourth team in seven seasons, is well-positioned to succeed -- at least individually speaking. Besides Cooks, the Texans have 2020 fifth-round pick Isaiah Coulter and slot receivers Randall Cobb and Keke Coutee along with a handful of free-agent additions and incoming rookie Nico Collins, a promising prospect. So there's no mystery about Cooks' role (with Will Fuller moving on in free agency, Cooks is the clear-cut No. 1).
Fantasy Downside
Deshaun Watson's off-field issues and insistence he won't play for the team again leave plenty of questions about who Cooks' quarterback will be. Of course, the Watson uncertainty looms ominously for multiple Texans. But Cooks, who led the team in receptions with 81 and posted his fifth 1,000-yard season (1,150) in 2020 will likely bear the brunt. Without Watson, Cooks and the offense appear to be overmatched.
2021 Bottom Line
While the ongoing QB drama is clearly an issue, it should also drive Cooks' price down considerably. Even without Watson, Cooks is by far the most viable receiving play here. Expecting him to produce, even if Tyrod Taylor is his triggerman, isn't a reach.
