WR Brandin Cooks may be the Texans’ only ‘sure thing’ in 2021
Brandin Cooks was considered by many to be a questionable addition to the Houston Texans offense in 2020. Following the departure of perennial All-Pro Deandre Hopkins for a second-round pick, immediately trading a second-rounder for a lesser talent in Brandin Cooks raised eyebrows.
Maybe Houston was just trying to save money? Assemble a lightning quick offense around young franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson? Regardless, the move was universally met with a: meh. Recently concussed, relatively expensive, and walking in the footsteps of a franchise favorite created low expected for Cooks in 2020.
Nobody told Brandin, apparently.
Cooks finished 2020 top-15 in receiving yards (12th, 1,150 yards) and top-25 in catches (22nd, 81 catches) on 119 targets during a career year from Watson. Houston joined as the 4th team to be the beneficiary of a 1000-yard Cooks season, with no. 13 previously having accomplished the feat in New Orleans, New England, and on the Los Angeles Rams.
He is without a doubt one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL at this point, Cooks’ resume is one that few have matched in their first seven seasons in the league. This should be a time where Houston feels phenomenal about their offense and with him as a key asset.
However, one year following his acquisition, things look a little murkier in Houston. Especially on offense, there are question marks everywhere. At quarterback, Watson is nowhere to be found, with no comments on the team and new Head Coach David Culley refusing to comment on the star quarterback. Seriously, not a single word.
David Culley said everybody on the roster has taken part in Zoom meetings during OTAs. When asked to clarify whether that includes Deshaun Watson, Culley said, "I have nothing to say about Deshaun Watson at this point."
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) May 27, 2021
The Texans current quarterback room projects to be lead by veteran Tyrod Taylor, considered one of the elite stop-gap quarterbacks in the league, and recent 3rd round pick Davis Mills from Stanford. Taylor is a heavy favorite to win the competition but nobody will be surprised if Mills’ sees time in 2021.
David Culley on Tyrod Taylor: 'He is here. He's starting to get in the program. I expect him to fall right in and become the same Tyrod Taylor when he was in Baltimore and in Buffalo.'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 27, 2021
Baker Mayfield, Justin Herbert, and Taylor’s poor luck suggest it’s very possible. Texans fans may hope to see the young guy in what many project to be a poor season, with Houston currently sitting as Vegas underdogs in all 17 games. In fact. Cooks himself raved about Mills just this week.
Brandin Cooks on Davis Mills: "Smart, I mean gosh he went to Stanford — don't matter if you're on scholarship or not, you still gotta go to school over there … picking up the offense pretty fast, the guy can sling it, he's confident, and you love to see that from a young guy." pic.twitter.com/V3T9i3JlyG
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) May 27, 2021
Beyond who spins the rock for Houston this upcoming season, the dynamics on the field also project to be different for Cooks. Will Fuller, after a career season that was interrupted by a PED suspension, opted to sign with the Miami Dolphins and play with Tua Tagovailoa for the up-and-coming Dolphins. Randall Cobb, who was hampered by injury for most of 2020, and Keke Coutee, a former Bill O’Brien doghouse resident, are the two top returning receivers.
The rest of the receiving core features former sixth-round project Isaiah Coulter, recent third-round pick Nico Collins from Michigan (who may have a chance for major playing time), and some other veterans such as Donte Moncrief and Chris Conley.
In the running back core, former Denver standout Phillip Lindsay and wrong-side-of-30 Mark Ingram (who still killed Houston in 2020, don’t forget) join David Johnson in what projects to be a messy backfield.
Suddenly, Cooks is the most established weapon by a mile in Houston. Something Houston could never have expected when they dealt a 2nd rounder to Los Angeles. Fortunately, that’s something the team seems very comfortable with and Culley commented on that Thursday on a Zoom call with reporters.
“He’s a pro,” Culley said. “He’s a pro’s pro. He’s been in this league for a little while. He’s had success in this league. He’s a leader. He’s exactly what our football team needs moving forward. Looking forward to him not only being the kind of player that he’s been before, but even being better. Obviously, our young guys that are coming in here basically are going to learn how to do things quickly because he’s a pro’s pro.”
It’s a good thing Culley is confident in Cooks moving forward. He will have the tall task of helping to teach Collins, making life easier for whoever may end up under center for Houston whether it’s Watson, Taylor, or Mills, and, finally, Cooks will aim for his sixth 1,000 yard season in eight years.
History says we shouldn’t doubt Cooks in a new situation because he’s generally going to prove you wrong. Culley and the crew will be counting on Cooks and his electrifying play in 2021.
