Is Texans Brandin Cooks The Most Underrated WR In NFL?
In seven years, Brandin Cooks never has received the respect he deserves in the NFL
Cole Thompson1 hour ago
HOUSTON -- In a sea of pass-catchers and touchdown machines, Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks has been forgotten. As the Texans prep for another season, Cooks returns to NRG Stadium as the team's go-to weapon.
The NFL just sees a lowly franchise without a direction, thus casting Cooks to the side in their rankings. And it's not just the NFL, try every major outlet and see if Cooks' name is mentioned in the top 15?
Top 20? Top 25 even? Few will at least give him that respect.
Cooks' career in the NFL has been defined by two things: trades and speed. Since coming out of Oregon State, he has been one of the most consistent No. 2 targets in the game. Last season he proved he can be a No. 1 with the right quarterback.
So, he's good, but not top-20 good, right? That's where the debate begins.
In seven seasons, Cooks has recorded five 1,000-yard seasons through the air. On all four teams, he's passed the 1K mark — twice with both New Orleans and Los Angeles.
Known for his speed and ability to win as a perimeter route-runner, Cooks' game has allowed him to be dangerous in the open field. In six of his seven years, he's averaged at least 13 yards per catch.
In that same span, he tallied at least 60 catches on five different occasions. He's also finished top two in receiving yards and receptions on his roster every season outside of 2019 with the Rams.
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