Shark Bites are the latest fantasy football news & NFL updates. Draft Sharks has been in business since 1999. And when we started, redraft was the dominant form of fantasy football. Check out what we've learned about this most basic form of fantasy football along the way.
The Athletic's Jon Machota lists WR Brandin Cooks as one of the Cowboys who has stood out most in training camp. "Coaches and players have talked plenty about the added emphasis this year on the deep ball and Cooks is going to be arguably the most significant factor for that," Machota writes. "His speed is unmistakable and gives [QB Dak] Prescott added confidence in getting the ball downfield and opens things up for other receivers underneath." Cooks won't challenge WR CeeDee Lamb for the target lead. But it sounds like he's the favorite to finish second in targets, ahead of WR Michael Gallup. See where Cooks sits in our updated fantasy football WR rankings.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup is seeing extra snaps in the slot, per HC Mike McCarthy. Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News says the “goal is for [Gallup] to develop into more of a moving piece.” Gallup ran only 8% of his routes from the slot last year and hit the same number in 2021. We're not expecting a major spike, but it's nice for Dallas to add more versatility to Gallup's role -- especially with Brandin Cooks in town. Gallup profiles as a fantasy WR5.
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott missed 5 games last year with a right thumb fracture. Back healthy, he’s looking to play a full season for the first time since 2019. As Nick Harris of the Cowboys’ official site writes, “the new offense [with HC Mike McCarthy as play caller]… has been constructed completely around Dak.” Prescott, with two years remaining on his current deal, might also receive an extension this summer. Currently, he’s scheduled to count nearly $60 million against Dallas’ 2024 cap. Before then, Dak will look to capitalize on the arrival of WR Brandin Cooks, who gives this unit a more dynamic 11 personnel. Prescott ultimately projects as a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers.
Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks aims to rebound from a down 2022. The veteran tallied 57 catches, 699 yards, and 3 TDs while missing 4 games. Cooks’ efficiency metrics stunk, but it’s tough to knock him, given Houston’s awful QB play. A March trade to Dallas gives new life to his fantasy value. The Cowboys handed Cooks ~$12 million guaranteed, so they’re confident in him performing as the No. 2 behind CeeDee Lamb. Based on work at OTAs, Cooks’ speed remains a dangerous trait. “Not only the speed, but I think he's an exceptional route runner,” HC Mike McCarthy said via ESPN. “He has a great understanding of routes and time clocks, and specifics of getting in and out of breaks.” See where he slots in our WR rankings.
The Cowboys are getting WR Brandin Cooks from the Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-rounder in 2024, according to multiple reports. Dallas likely views Cooks as the new No. 2 WR, ahead of Michael Gallup. We wouldn't bet on him beating CeeDee Lamb in target share. Cooks is coming off a disappointing 2022 that saw his receptions per game, yards per game and catch rate fall significantly vs. his previous two Houston campaigns. He managed just a WR40 finish in PPR points per game. But we're not betting that the 29-year-old (until Sept. 25) is over the hill just yet. If the team change doesn't boost Cooks' ADP too much vs. his current low-WR4 position, he's a solid-to-good option for your best ball drafts. Cooks' arrival also helps QB Dak Prescott, who sits low in QB1 territory in best ball ADP. As for the Houston WR corps: Try not to get too excited about anyone. The Texans signed Robert Woods to a two-year deal this offseason. Nico Collins has averaged just 2.9 receptions per game through two NFL seasons. And 2022 second-round pick John Metchie is expected to debut after missing his rookie year for leukemia treatment. The whole group should at least get a new QB next month via the NFL Draft.
The Texans have signed WR Robert Woods to a two-year deal. The pact includes $10 million guaranteed and could be worth as much as $17 million, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. This signing ahead of NFL free agency opening signals that Houston either wants Woods to replace WR Brandon Cooks once he’s traded or that it prefers Woods to Nico Collins as the No. 2 receiver. Woods has been going near the end of best ball drafts, so signing anywhere helps his outlook. We’ll see what the Texans do at QB and whether they make any other WR moves before determine the veteran’s ultimate value
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 TV in Houston, the "standing trade request" by Texans WR Brandin Cooks "is expected to be worked on and, in all likelihood, accommodated this offseason." Such a move certainly wouldn't come as a surprise after the way this season played out between the team and the wideout. Cooks added that he, his agent and GM Nick Caserio "have a good working relationship." The Texans don't appear likely to give Cooks away for less than they believe he's worth. And he still has 2 years left on his contract. The coming season carries a particularly large dead-cap number ($34.2 million) should Cooks move on. So there remains little motivation on the team side to make a move, other than to pacify the player. It's tough to judge how much Cooks has left off this season, which has found him post a career-worst 6.8 yards per target. In addition to his conflict with team management, Cooks has dealt with injuries and poor QB play. He'll still be 29 until next September, though. And the dip in production plus uncertainty with his future should mean a low price on the dynasty trade market this offseason. We wouldn't mind taking a run at the perennially productive vet. Given his big salary and advanced age, we'd bet that a team acquiring Cooks is likely to be a contender with a quality QB. See where Cooks sits in our dynasty rankings.
Texans WRs Brandin Cooks (calf) and Chris Moore (elbow) are active for today’s game vs. the Titans. They figure to operate as Houston’s top 2 WRs in this plus matchup. See where Cooks and Moore sit in the Week 16 WR Rankings.
Texans WR Brandin Cooks (calf) is expected to play vs. the Titans today, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cooks is listed as questionable but put in full practices on Wednesday and Thursday. We're not expecting the calf to be an issue today, but Cooks' iffy standing with the team and Houston's general ineptitude leave him as a shaky fantasy play.
The Texans have placed WR Nico Collins on IR for his foot injury, ending his season. That should continue the elevated role for WR Chris Moore, though he's questionable for Saturday's game against the Titans with a foot injury that limited his practice all week. WR Brandin Cooks (calf) is also questionable, despite putting in full practices Wednesday and Thursday.
Texans WR Nico Collins (foot) has been ruled out for Week 16's contest vs. the Titans. His teammates, Brandin Cooks (calf) and Chris Moore (elbow), are officially listed as questionable. Cooks managed to practice in full on Wednesday and Thursday while Moore was limited all week. Both Cooks and Moore carry flex-worthy appeal should they be able to suit up. The Titans' defense is the friendliest matchup for WRs in adjusted fantasy points allowed. That doesn't make the Texans' offense good all of a sudden but it does help.
Texans WR Nico Collins (foot) did not practice for the 2nd day in a row on Wednesday. Fellow wideout Chris Moore (foot) logged his 2nd straight limited practice as well. In better news, Brandin Cooks (calf) upgraded to full participation at practice. With Week 16's game vs. the Titans falling on Saturday, Thursday's practice report will be very telling about Collins' and Moore's availability. Check back tomorrow as this news evolves.
The Texans have a slew of injuries in their WR room ahead of Saturday's game vs. the Titans. Nico Collins (foot) did not practice on Tuesday, and both Brandin Cooks (calf) and Chris Moore (foot) logged limited participation. Today's reports will shed some light on their collective situations. It is difficult to project the fantasy viability of the Texans at this time, so stay tuned. We'll keep you updated.
Texans WRs Nico Collins (foot) and Brandin Cooks (calf) have been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Chiefs. Cooks actually got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday; Collins was sidelined all week. Chris Moore, Phillip Dorsett and Amari Rodgers will again operate as Houston's top 3 WRs this weekend.
Texans WR Nico Collins (foot) remained sidelined on Thursday. WR Brandin Cooks (calf) returned to a limited practice, giving him a shot to play vs. the Chiefs this weekend. We'll update Houston's WRs again tomorrow.
Texans WRs Brandin Cooks (calf) and Nico Collins (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. If they miss this weekend's game vs. the Chiefs, WR Chris Moore will be in play as a low-end option in PPR leagues.
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