Brandin Cooks's 2024 Projections & Outlook
Scoring
#96 Wide Receiver
78.9 Projected Points
ADP |
Rec |
Rec Yds |
Rec TDs |
100 |
Fum |
Not Available |
28.8 |
344.3 |
2.33 |
0 |
0 |
DS 3D Projections
Bottom Line
Since dropping a 90-1,037-6 line in 2021, Cooks has totaled 111-1,356-11 over the past two seasons. His advanced numbers also show a player in decline.
Still, the makeup of Dallas’ depth chart suggests the 31-year-old will have a shot at another 80-90 targets. He settles in as a WR5/spot starter.
What We Learned Last Year
- Dallas traded 5th and 6th-round picks for Cooks in March.
- He missed one game with a "slight" MCL sprain, per ESPN. That surely contributed to a slow start that included only 165 yards over his first seven appearances.
- Cooks broke out in Week 10 vs. the Giants (9-173-1).
- That single game accounted for 16.6% of his total catches, 26.3% of his total yards, and 12.5% of his total TDs.
- He didn’t reach 75 yards in any other game.
- Overall, among 44 WRs with 90+ targets, Cooks ranked 22nd in catch rate, 30th in yards per catch, 44th in yards after catch per reception, and 42nd in yards per route run.
- He saw a subpar 13.3% target share, equating to just 5 targets per game.
- Cooks’ underwhelming season came despite Prescott ranking third in passing yards; fourth in pass attempts.
What to Expect in 2024
- Dallas failed to make a notable WR upgrade this offseason.
- That keeps Cooks in line for the WR2 role behind target hog CeeDee Lamb.
- Dallas' WR depth, which includes names like Jalen Tolbert, KaVontae Turpin, and rookie Ryan Flournoy, remains unproven.
- The Cowboys return Dak Prescott and HC Mike McCarthy/OC Brian Schottenheimer.
- Questions in the backfield should have this unit continuing to lean pass.
- Current RB depth turns up Zeke Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Royce Freeman as top options.
- The ‘23 Cowboys already ranked fourth in pass rate over expected.
- Our ‘24 projections have Dallas at a healthy 61.3% pass rate.
- Cooks enters the offseason healthy. It’s possible the MCL sprain that kicked off his 2023 affected him moving forward.