Brandin Cooks's Preseason Player Analysis

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.