Week 11 at Carolina
Brandin Cooks was targeted only five times in the Saints' Week 10 loss to the Broncos but he turned those five targets into three catches for 98 yards and a touchdown. The score was a 32-yard laser from Drew Brees in between multiple defenders and likely would have stood as the Saints' game-winning score had the Broncos not blocked the extra point and returned it for two points in a 25-23 victory. With Michael Thomas and Willie Snead also drawing significant targets from Brees in the Saints' passing attack, Cooks remains a low-end WR2, capable of big performances but not consistent enough to be a WR1. He ranks as our WR18 for Week 11 and has a favorable matchup Thursday night versus the Panthers, who rank as fantasy's No. 21 defense versus wide receivers.
Week 10 vs. Denver
Brandin Cooks caught five-of-six targets for 66 yards in the Saints’ Week 9 win over the 49ers. Owners shouldn’t be overly concerned with the fact that Cooks saw only six targets. With the Saints running the ball at will against San Francisco’s leaky defense, the team didn’t need a big performance from Cooks and the passing game.
On Sunday, the Saints will host the Broncos, who own fantasy’s No. 1 defense versus wide receivers. Cooks ranks as our WR24 and should be viewed as a low-end WR2 for Week 10.
Week 9 at San Francisco
Brandin Cooks caught four-of-six targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' Week 8 win over the Seahawks. New Orleans got away with an illegal pick on Cooks' touchdown reception, but that score saved fantasy owners' day. He has a much better matchup on Sunday when the Saints visit a 49ers defense that ranks No. 24 against fantasy receivers this season. Cooks is our WR14 for Week 9 and is a solid WR2 option for this weekend.
Week 8 vs. Seattle
Brandin Cooks caught seven passes for 58 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in the Saints Week 7 loss to the Chiefs. His lone score came on a nine-yard pass from Drew Brees in the first quarter, and it was his fourth score of the season and second in as many weeks.
Cooks and the Saints have a tough matchup versus the Seahawks, but New Orleans continues to be explosive at home. The Saints have scored at least 26 points in 10 straight home games and Brees has thrown for at least three touchdown passes in eight straight home starts. Cooks will see plenty of Richard Sherman on Sunday, but remains a solid WR2 in all formats. He ranks as our WR16 for Week 8.
Week 7 at Kansas City Chiefs
Brandin Cooks went off against the Panthers in Week 6, hauling in seven-of-nine targets for 173 yards and an 87-yard touchdown in the Saints 41-38 victory. Cooks and Drew Brees took advantage of a Carolina defense that was so depleted in the secondary that it never went with a nickel back, choosing instead to stay in a 4-3 the entire game. Cooks could have had another big score, but Brees overthrew him after the speedy receiver had gotten by the defense again.
Cooks has a much tougher matching this week against a Chiefs defense that boasts Marcus Peters, but he remains a solid WR2 in a pass-first offense. Cooks ranks as our WR18 for Week 7 so make sure he's in your lineup.
Week 6 vs. Carolina
Brandin Cooks caught three-of-six targets for 31 yards in the Saints Week 4 win over the Chargers. He didn’t catch a pass in the second half and has now been limited to just 44 yards and no touchdowns in his last two games. Owners shouldn’t give up on the speedy receiver, however. He drew perennially underrated corners Desmond Trufant and Jason Verrett in this two games and should have an easier time racking up yards versus Carolina’s leaky secondary. Ranked as our WR17 for Week 6, view Cooks as a solid WR2 for this weekend.
Week 4 at San Diego
Brandin Cooks caught just two-of-eight targets for 13 yards in the Saints' 45-32 loss to the Falcons on Monday night. Despite the combined 77 points scored by both teams, neither Cooks nor Julio Jones (one catch, 17 yards) produced for fantasy owners despite each WR1 seeing a combined 15 targets. While New Orleans game-planned to limit Jones' production, Cooks saw plenty of No. 1 corner Desmond Trufant, who forced Drew Brees to search for other targets in the passing game. Cooks draws another top corner this week in San Diego's Jason Verrett, so view the wideout as a low-end WR1 for Week 4. He ranks as our WR11 overall this week.
Week 3 vs. Atlanta
Brandin Cooks caught seven passes for 69 yards on nine targets in the Saints' Week 2 loss to the Giants. After his 6-143-2 stat line in Week 1 against the Raiders, Cooks somewhat disappointed in what everyone expected to be a high-scoring game in New York last Sunday. Nevertheless, Cooks got going in the second half and remains a solid WR2 moving forward. Over his last 11 games, Cooks has 10 touchdowns and five games with 100-plus yards from scrimmage. He ranks as our WR5 for the Saints' Week 3 tilt with the Falcons on Monday night, making him a must-start.
Week 2 at New York Giants
Brandin Cooks went off for the Saints in Week 1, catching six-of-nine targets for 143 yards and two touchdowns in New Orleans' 35-34 loss. The most encouraging aspect of Cooks' afternoon from a fantasy perspective is that he drew three red zone targets, turning one into a 15-yard touchdown. His other score came on a 98-yard pass in which he ran by cornerback Sean Smith on a perfectly-placed pass from Drew Brees.
Ranked as our WR11 for Week 2, view Cooks as a low-end WR1 against the Giants and their 22nd-ranked pass defense. Given how bad the Saints look on defense, Cooks and Co. will play in plenty of shootouts again this season.
Week 1 vs. Oakland
Brandin Cooks had an excellent sophomore campaign in the NFL, catching 84 of 129 targets for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. The Saints added Coby Fleener and rookie receiver Michael Thomas this offseason, but Cooks remains Drew Brees' No. 1 target. Cooks should lead the Saints in targets, catches and receiving yards by season's end. Ranked as our WR16 for Week 1, Cooks is a solid WR2 for Sunday's matchup against the Raiders.
