What You Need to Know:

• Cooks delivered at a discounted ADP once again in 2021 (134-90-1,037-6). He finished as a WR2 or better in 10 games.
• Overall, Cooks finished as the WR21 in half PPR after finishing as the WR15 in 2020.
• Despite a history of concussions, he played a full slate of games. He’s now missed only 3 games over the past 7 seasons.
• In 9 games alongside 2022 starter Davis Mills, Cooks performed as a low-end WR1. He averaged 16.2 PPR PPG.
• His 1.96 yards per route run ranked 12th among 37 WRs with 100+ targets. Not bad considering his QB situation.
• Cooks signed a 2-year extension worth ~40 million in April. He’s signed through the 2024 season.
• Houston only added primary slot WR John Metchie in the draft. And he’s coming off a December ACL tear.
• Free agency didn’t turn up any meaningful additions at WR or TE. It’ll likely be Cooks, Nico Collins and Metchie in 3-WR sets.
• Davis Mills returns for his 1st full season as the starter. Mills showed enough promise to believe he could at least make a jump up towards a league-average passer.
• OC Pep Hamilton enters his 1st season in the role. He coached QBs last year, so there should be some continuity.

Draft Sharks Bottom Line:

Cooks, still only 28, has hit 1,000 yards in 6 of his past 7 seasons.

Back for year 3 in Houston, he returns to a #1 WR role that should allow for 130+ targets. He brings WR1 upside and can be had for a WR2/WR3 price.