Brandin Cooks: Fantasy Football Value With Cowboys?
If you’re a late riser, you missed some semi-major NFL news that should have a big impact on fantasy football leagues heading into 2023. Brandin Cooks has been traded to the Cowboys, but what does it mean when it comes to fantasy? Let’s break down every angle of this and help you sort out how you should value Cooks heading into this year!
For starters, it’s hard to get too excited over this trade. Is it good news for anybody other than maybe Dak Prescott? At this point, we kinda know what Dak is as a fantasy commodity. The running is starting to vanish but he does put up more passing totals than he often gets credit for. Does adding Cook maybe help produce more through the air? Maybe… However, the biggest question about the Cowboys’ offense still hasn’t been answered.
Is losing Kellen Moore a good or bad thing? Good luck trying to figure that question out because nothing is more important than that for the Cowboys.
CeeDee Lamb feels pretty unaffected for me. Lamb is still a top tier receiver and has proved he’s going to put up numbers regardless of who the other receivers on the roster are. Lamb had 156 targets in 2022 which is a HUGE number. Even if that number comes down a tad, you’re not worried Lamb is going to take some drastic step back because of the new addition. If you’re thinking about drafting Lamb in 2022, proceed as normal.
Unless you’re a brain-dead dummy like Eric Moody, then you probably already know how to value Cooks at this point. Even in a deeper league, Cooks should be viewed at as a bye week filler and nothing more. There is way too much risk to pull the trigger on Cooks early in drafts.
A: There is no upside. Cooks is going to put up his usual 600-700 yards with four touchdowns. Nothing that’s ever going to win you a league. When taking fliers in drafts, I’d much rather spend resources trying to find the next breakout star. Maybe that guy is John Metchie. Maybe that guy is a rookie from this draft class. Either way, it won’t be some weird out of anywhere Cooks season.
B: Dallas has quality ancillary targets. Michael Gallup is still there and is the better and younger option. Jalen Tolbert is a young player that could receive more looks. Does Dallas look to involve gadget guy Kavontae Turpin more? Do they end up drafting another receiver to add to the mix? There is more of a fight for targets here than it looks on paper. Plus we already know Lamb is the real target monster.
C: Cooks is a major injury risk. Cooks is starting to age and has four separate seasons of missing game action. Yes, Cooks, 30, is younger than you may initially think. He’s also a smaller receiver that has been on the verge of retirement in the past. The prime is gone here guys.
I’m not saying avoid Cooks at all costs but please be realistic with expectations. Don’t spend an arm and a leg on Cooks thinking some big breakout season is on the way. Proceed with caution and if the price becomes too high let him become someone else’s problem.
