Brandin Cooks 2020 Outlook

[Silent-Trader 403]

7 minutes ago, FFCollusion said:

This forum loves to hate Brandin Cooks, has for 5 years.

Since Bill O'Brien was fired, Cooks has averaged: (Through 4 games)

9.75 targets, 6.75 catches, 93 yards, .75 TDs, and 20.55 Fantasy Points per game (1PPR)

That's a 16 game pace of 156 targets, 108 catches, 1488 yards, 12 TDs, and 328.8 Fantasy Points.
That is the 3rd best PPG average of qualifying WRs in 2020.
That would be the 2nd best WR in all of 2019, behind only Michael Thomas.

Obviously, the TDs are not sustainable, but for those who want to call this a fluke, or hate on Brandin Cooks... you've been dead wrong for 5 out of 6 years.  This guy has done it for the Saints, Patriots, Rams, and now the Texans.  At some point, you have to just bite the bullet, and realize he's a good football player.  1 down year in LA, while Kupp and Woods were breaking out, was the fluke.  The first 4 games of this year, HOU sucked.  Bill O'Brien was the clear cut change in this offense, that lead to the DIRECT turn around for Cooks.

So, either you can admit BOB held him back for 4 games in 2020 and 2019 was a fluke/combo of 2 breakout WRs, or you can say that the last 4 weeks of 2020, and the entire seasons of 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 were all flukes.

Your choice, but I know what side of the fence I'm on.

4 teams, 4 QBs, and 5 rock solid seasons on the real field and the fantasy field.
His 7th year in the league, he just turned 27 two months ago.

He had one decent game under O'Brien, but I agree with everything you said. If he gets another 1,000 yard season, it will have to be some kind of record to do it with 4 different teams; I've been watching to see if he can do it again. 

Edited November 10, 2020 by Silent-Trader

[fantasymad 377]

Since Bill O'Brien was fired:

4 games 

27 receptions on 39 targets

372 yds and 3 TDs

Targets:

39 Cooks

30 Fuller

Dude is a solid WR2.

 

[WaiverLooter 931]

I dropped him and picked him back up this season because the offense just looked so bad that I didn't think it would be able to sustain 2 playable wide receivers. If DJ is out next week from that concussion, I am guessing Texans will be forced to throw a ton and Cooks and Cobb should be the beneficiary of the underneath short passes. A lot of TD potential for both Fuller and Cooks.

[LionKid90 426]

This guy has been on a nice run, but this might be the week to finally bench. Cleveland is expecting high winds for this Sunday. Could be similar to the Raiders and Browns game from two weeks ago where neither Carr or Mayfield pased for more than 150 yards. Personally, I think the decision is fairly easy. Passing game really gets thrown off with sustained winds over 25 mph with gusts upwards of 40mph. In that Browns game, leading WR for Cleveland was Landry with 4-52, and leader on the Raiders was Waller who went for 5-27. 

Anyone else staying away this week because of the weather?

[gmoneypm 62]

23 minutes ago, LionKid90 said:

This guy has been on a nice run, but this might be the week to finally bench. Cleveland is expecting high winds for this Sunday. Could be similar to the Raiders and Browns game from two weeks ago where neither Carr or Mayfield pased for more than 150 yards. Personally, I think the decision is fairly easy. Passing game really gets thrown off with sustained winds over 25 mph with gusts upwards of 40mph. In that Browns game, leading WR for Cleveland was Landry with 4-52, and leader on the Raiders was Waller who went for 5-27. 

Anyone else staying away this week because of the weather?

 

I'm not going to lie, It's concerning for me as well. My hope is that by Sunday the forecast is different but I will still play him this week regardless (due to injuries and byes) and I remain optimistic.

I believe someone stated on here that he is running about 30% of his routes from the slot so he should get some short passes thrown his way which the wind shouldn't hinder. He has demonstrated a nice floor with at least 9 targets in four straight games. 

Also, David Johnson is looking doubtful to play. Duke Johnson has looked horrible running in relieve. I think the Texans will be forced to throw.

[LionKid90 426]

1 hour ago, gmoneypm said:

 

I'm not going to lie, It's concerning for me as well. My hope is that by Sunday the forecast is different but I will still play him this week regardless (due to injuries and byes) and I remain optimistic.

I believe someone stated on here that he is running about 30% of his routes from the slot so he should get some short passes thrown his way which the wind shouldn't hinder. He has demonstrated a nice floor with at least 9 targets in four straight games. 

Also, David Johnson is looking doubtful to play. Duke Johnson has looked horrible running in relieve. I think the Texans will be forced to throw.

 

If there are other WR3 guys you can play, I'd go with them. I just don't think the upside is there, and the floor is going to be really low. There have been two very windy games this season, the one I mentioned, and the Pats and Bills game from two weeks ago. In that game, Allen threw for 154 yards, and Newton threw for 174. I think we can all expect low passing yardage in this game if the weather forecast holds. If you can go with another WR3, I'd roll him out over Cooks. The wind is definitely something to worry about, possibly more than shadow coverage from an elite cornerback.

[fantasymad 377]

30 mph winds gusts of even more. Lakeside is going to be booming in Cleveland 

[sjm76 769]

Is anyone rolling Cooks out there today?  I assume that a decent number of people are sitting Fuller because of the high winds and Cooks has also been on a similar hot streak.  

[Pooskay 807]

I can see Cooks catching a short pass and picking up some decent YAC. He’s not just a deep threat. 
 

Definitely have to downgrade him and hope to get lucky with a TD. 

[nine9s 84]

Severe Thunderstorm warning issued for Cleveland - I assume there is risk the game could get postponed or be curtailed if it starts:

https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=cle&wwa=all

 

 

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
1246 PM EST Sun Nov 15 2020

OHC005-035-075-083-093-103-169-151830-
/O.CON.KCLE.SV.W.0155.000000T0000Z-201115T1830Z/
Cuyahoga OH-Medina OH-Ashland OH-Wayne OH-Lorain OH-Holmes OH-
Knox OH-
1246 PM EST Sun Nov 15 2020

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM EST
FOR SOUTHWESTERN CUYAHOGA...MEDINA...ASHLAND...WAYNE...CENTRAL
LORAIN...WESTERN HOLMES AND EASTERN KNOX COUNTIES...

At 1244 PM EST, severe thunderstorms were located along a line
extending from 10 miles north of Avon Lake to 8 miles northwest of
Danville, moving east at 50 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to trees and power lines.

Locations impacted include...
Cleveland, Lorain, Elyria, Medina, Wooster, Ashland, Millersburg,
Parma, Lakewood, Strongsville, Brunswick, Westlake, North Royalton,
North Ridgeville, Avon Lake, Wadsworth, Grafton, Rittman, Wellington
and Lodi.

 

Edited November 15, 2020 by nine9s

[Silent-Trader 403]

I benched him for Hockenson. Fingers crossed.

[buckets88 146]

Benched for Reagor....

[vthokie3 1,371]

Thoughts this week? Guess it depends if Gilmore plays

[hard1 2,468]

He is gonna get the targets... 6 catches last week for measly 38 yards is a fluke

[gmoneypm 62]

48 minutes ago, vthokie3 said:

Thoughts this week? Guess it depends if Gilmore plays

 

The overall WR rankings for this week are kinda down on him but I’ve seen him listed as must starts on Sports illustrated and CBS. 

 

Aside from the windy mess last week, he has been solid. Watson looks his way often. 

 

[Andy Mick 138]

Cooks seems like an absolute must start tomorrow.

[munygon2 395]

I think so, and with Cobb headed to IR that's one less option at WR for DW to target. 

[King Gonzo 147]

Solid WR2 to fire up this week Id say.

[vthokie3 1,371]

Any concern lions can't keep up so Cooks doesn't get enough opportunities?

[King Gonzo 147]

None from me. If the game does get out of hand, it is probably gonna be cause of the passing attack.

[jhomes55 41]

I think Cooks is a must-start with Cobb on IR. 
 

fire him up!!

[YK35 52]

That was.. pretty much ok I guess? Could have been so much more. 85 yds receiving and I still feel kind of defeated.

[King Gonzo 147]

A little disappointing considering the score but still a decent outing. Almost put up 100 yards.

[FreakFries 1,399]

That play where Watson was pointing and running right on short and goal he was looking at Cooks. Second week in a row Watson has looked to Cook in the end zone and it hasn’t panned out. Frustrating but not devastating 

[MrPositive 886]

Kind of sad with 41 point for the Texans and every single offensive weapon going off, even Duke!......except Cooks 😕