RADIO
Brandin Cooks 2022 Outlook: Should Once Again be a Target Hog in Houston
3 years agoBrandin Cooks has quietly been one of the most productive receivers in the league since 2015. And despite subpar quarterback play and a mediocre offense the last two seasons in Houston, he's posted back-to-back top-20 performances. His target share increased from 23.9% in 2020 to 26.9% in 2021, good for 10th amongst all receivers. Cooks' rapport with rookie quarterback Davis Mills was impressive last season. He averaged a whopping nine targets per game in 10 games with Mills compared to seven targets per game with Tyrod Taylor. The Texans did select Alabama WR John Metchie III in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he's coming off a torn ACL at the end of 2021. There's a chance he may not even be ready for the start of the season, and he was a much-needed piece to round out the wide receiver group in Houston. So, for this season, there's no reason to believe Cooks won't once again lead the Texans in targets by a wide margin. Last season, he averaged 4.1 more targets per game (8.4) than the next highest target earner, Nico Collins (4.3). Consider him a sure-fire bet to return top-25 value once again in his third season in Houston.
