Brandin Cooks

Over the last six years, there have been just seven wide receivers who've finished top-24 in at least five of them. Those receivers are Mike Evans, Julio Jones, Davante Adams, DeAndre Hopkins, Amari Cooper, Jarvis Landry, and... Cooks. He's done it with four different quarterbacks, too. However, 2021 might be his toughest test yet, as it appears Tyrod Taylor will be his quarterback, and this is projected to be the lowest scoring offense in the league. Still, he's the clear-cut top option on this team and should be a lock to see 100-plus targets as long as he's healthy.

Cooks has been the definition of productive over the course of his career. However, if Watson does not play in 2021, Cooks becomes a must-avoid option for me. This Texans team is essentially going to be guaranteed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft at the start of Week 1 and the scoring opportunities for this offense are not exactly going to be abundant. Cooks might give you a safe floor each week, but there's virtually no upside to drafting the veteran receiver. Around his ADP, there are some other options that I'd prefer pulling the trigger on that have more upside.

Cooks quietly had a solid year despite all of the turmoil in Houston. Deshaun Watson's pending departure hurts this offense and his numbers. Tyrod Taylor comes in to man the ship for at least a little while. The game script will force the Texans to pass in the 4th Qtr, opening up plenty of garbage catches and yards. Cooks can pad his stats and, in the process, get owners sneaky fantasy points.

Brandin Cooks has quietly had a very strong NFL career. The 2021 outlook is very fuzzy with chaos falling upon the Texans. If Deshaun Watson plays QB, Cooks could be a serviceable WR3. With Tyrod Taylor at QB, Cooks is a WR4 at best and that seems the more likely scenario. If he drops in drafts considerably he may be a sneaky good addition to a roster. However, it's going to be a long, difficult season in Houston.

Consistently undervalued, but tough to take a plunge on with so much QB uncertainty right now