Our film review of Buffalo Bills free agents returns, this time on offense with a look at wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The WR was signed on November 25th, and saw his first game action five days later against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cooks was brought in to help for a Super Bowl push and if the catch he made wasn’t robbed of him, we’d all be pretty square on how we feel about the man. With that opportunity stolen though, let’s take a look back and see how he did.
Coming out of college, Brandin Cooks had elite athleticism for both speed and change of direction, as measured by combine drills. Now 32 years old, some of that has dwindled, most notably in my opinion with his change of direction. Cooks isn’t a “make space in a phone booth” kinda receiver as a result. That doesn’t mean he’s terrible either, and it sure as heck doesn’t mean he can’t create space.
Cooks still has good speed which can create space on its own, or draw defenders away from other receivers in a hurry. Cooks’ best use is as a deep threat where I feel he has real potential to help the Bills. A lack of chemistry and a couple drops from Cooks burned some chances for Buffalo. The chemistry did start to come together at the end of the season and had one play gone differently, Cooks is a deep threat hero.
I’d like to see Cooks back in Buffalo but as the headline suggests it comes with a disclaimer. Buffalo needs to have a concerted effort to elevate their deep passing game. I think Cooks was a bit of a mismatch at times but perhaps a little planning can help him fit in.