Brandin Cooks Fantasy

The Houston Texans have traded wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. In exchange, the Texans will receive 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-round pick for Cooks. At first glance, that deal seems like a steal for the Cowboys who get a productive receiver for very little. The downside for Dallas is they will take on his $26 million salary for the 2023 campaign. The Cowboys are desperate for help at wideout, so they appear willing to pay in order to get another consistent receiver. Cooks has posted two 1,000-plus yard seasons over the last three years. He experienced a down year in 2022, but that was partly due to the fact the Texans were rebuilding. The move to Dallas should be positive for Cooks fantasy value. The hope is that he can be a high-end WR3 with an upgraded offensive unit.

Mar. 19th • 4:20 PM

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks requested a trade last year, and the Texas were open to working with him to deal him, but nothing materialized. Cooks could still be moved this offseason, but it hasn't appeared that anything is imminent, according to a person involved in the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly. However, offseason trades can come together quickly, so the 29-year-old could still be on the move before the 2023 season. Cooks doesn't want to be a part of Houston's rebuild, but the Texans will likely have to eat some of his salary in order to facilitate a trade. He had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2022 with 57 receptions for 699 yards and three touchdowns in 13 starts. A move to a contender would give him a chance to bounce back for fantasy managers.

Mar. 3rd • 9:35 PM

The New England Patriots are unlikely to use a top draft pick to address their need at wide receiver, and the free-agent market is thin at the position this offseason. It could lead Bill Belichick and the Patriots to trade for a wideout. The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that the Patriots' top trade options at this point are probably Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Houston Texans wideout Brandin Cooks. Hopkins will likely fetch a second-round pick, while Cooks could be had for a third-rounder. Belichick's preference has always been to use his most prized draft picks on other positions besides wideout. He's had 14 picks inside the top 30 in the first round and hasn't used a single one on a receiver. New England's best pass-catcher, Jakobi Meyers, will be a free agent on March 15.

Mar. 2nd • 3:40 PM