Week 3 vs. Baltimore Ravens
There isn't a lot of target competition behind Lamb and Ferguson (if Ferguson goes), and there are worse things than being the No. 3 option on a pass-heavy team. Cooks is the very definition of boom/bust at this point in his career, which will make him a decision point of your lineup each and every week, but he has the ability to reward you with huge gains from time to time. He profiles as an WR4 with WR2 upside against the Ravens.
Week 2 vs. New Orleans Saints
There isn't a lot of target competition behind Lamb and Ferguson (if Ferguson goes), and there are worse things than being the No. 3 option on a pass-heavy team, projected to score the eighth-most points in the league. Cooks is the very definition of boom/bust at this point in his career, which will make him a decision point of your lineup each and every week, but he has the ability to reward you with huge gains from time to time.
Fantasy Upside
With no real WR2 option behind CeeDee Lamb last season, Brandin Cooks emerged as a solid option, running his most routes since the 2020 season and logging 30+ in each of the team's final six weeks. With his ability to line up in the slot or out wide, there's a good chance he can replicate his 77.4% route participation from last year, which planted him within the top 40 most utilized options across the position. Not only has Michael Gallup left town (and subsequently retired), the team waited until the sixth round to add Ryan Flournoy to the roster. Cooks could once again provide spike weeks in fantasy.
Fantasy Downside
While he re-earned his role as a field-stretching defensive menace (13.5 aDOT), he hasn't cracked 1,000 yards receiving since 2021 when he was the Texans' de facto WR1. He is now heading into his 11th season at 31 years of age, behind Jake Ferguson as the team's possible third receiving option. This is basically where he was in 2023 when he failed to reach 30 receiving yards on seven occurrences. If he loses a step at all, his "boom" weeks could be out the window, which makes him mostly useless in fantasy.
2024 Bottom Line
There isn't a lot of target competition behind Lamb and Ferguson, and there are worse things than being the No. 3 option on a pass-heavy team, projected to score the eighth-most points in the league. Cooks is the very definition of boom/bust at this point in his career, which will make him a decision point of your lineup each and every week, but he has the ability to reward you with huge gains from time to time.
Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions
Brandin Cooks caught both of his targets for 14 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins, adding nine yards on a rushing attempt on his way to 9.3 Half-PPR points and a WR36 finish for Wee6 16. Cooks has exactly two catches in three straight games but hasn't topped 45 yards in a game since Week 12.
Cooks is projected for low-end WR3 output against the Lions this week, based on his low output while also factoring in the generosity of the Lions towards wide receivers this season. They rank dead last in aFPA to the position.
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
Brandin Cooks had a ghastly outing against the Bills in Week 15, catching just two of his six targets for 10 yards. He was badly overthrown for a possible touchdown, but missed chances don't help in fantasy football, with Cooks finishing as the WR88 in Half-PPR scoring.
It's a vital week for fantasy football, and it is important to nail every single fantasy lineup decision. With that in mind, it would be foolish to expect Cooks to deliver more than WR4 numbers this week. He is not seeing enough targets to deliver a safe weekly floor, and even with the Dolphins ranking 20th in aFPA to wide receivers, you really are banking on a big play hitting for Cooks to pay off in Week 16. Buyer beware.
Week 15 at Buffalo Bills
Brandin Cooks was quiet against the Eagles in Week 14, catching only two his five targets for 37 scoreless yards and 4.7 Half-PPR points. He finished outside the top 50 in that format last week.
Cooks has earned a larger role on the Cowboys offense in recent weeks, but his fantasy ceiling is capped by the presence of CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. Despite the Bills ranking 24th in aFPA to wide receivers, it is tough to project Cooks as anything more than a WR4/FLEX option this week.
Week 14 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Brandin Cooks was efficient against the Seahawks, catching all four of his targets for 45 yards and a touchdown on his way to 14.5 Half-PPR points and a WR17 finish. He's still only the WR42 in average points per game, but this rank has been rising in recent weeks.
Cooks continues to be third on the target totem pole behind CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, but even a limited role this week should see him firmly in the WR3 conversation. This is because Cooks is up against an Eagles defense that ranks dead last in aFPA to wide receivers.
Week 13 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Brandin Cooks continued to demand a larger role in the Cowboys passing attack in Week 13, leading the team with 72 receiving yards to go with one of Dak Prescott's four touchdowns. Cooks finished the week with 15.2 Half-PPR points and is up to 8.8 points per game.
The Seahawks rank 18th in aFPA to wide receivers this season, so we should temper our expectations for Cooks this week. He should certainly be able to post high-end WR3 numbers, but the presence of CeeDee Lamb certainly puts a cap on his output.
Week 12 vs Washington Commanders
Brandin Cooks saw just four targets against the Panthers, although he did reel in three of them for 42 scoreless yards on his way to 5.7 Half PPR points. Cooks has not made much fantasy noise in a Cowboys uniform and is only WR50 in points per game this season.
Cooks could be in line for happier times in Week 12 against a leaky Commanders defense that ranks 32nd in aFPA to wide receivers. But he's not someone that you should feel you need to start if you have other options. He's a WR4/Flex option at best.
Week 11 at Carolina Panthers
Brandin Cooks had his first explosion game as a Dallas Cowboy against the Giants in Week 10. Cooks had 17 grabs on the season coming into the game, but he reeled in nine of his 10 targets for 173 yards and a touchdown. Cooks delivered 27.8 Half-PPR points, well above his seasonal average of 8.39.
Even though the Cowboys have embraced the passing game of late, the odds of a second blow up game for Cooks are not great. The Panthers are second in aFPA to wide receivers in 2023. Still, Cooks could offer some appeal as a WR4/Flex, but he’s a long way behind CeeDee Lamb in the Cowboys target totem pole.
