Brandin Cooks: PFF| 40 time| Teams| ESPN| Rumors| Released| Wiki

Introduction

Brandin Tawan Cooks is one of the most fascinating wide receivers in modern NFL history — not just for his speed, but for his journey across multiple teams, his consistently productive career, and the rumors and storylines that have followed him. In this article, we’ll deep dive into his PFF (Pro Football Focus) metrics, his 40-yard dash time, his team history, ESPN coverage, trade and release rumors, and a wiki-style biography.

1. Brandin Cooks Wiki / Biography

Early Life and College

• Brandin Cooks was born on September 25, 1993, in Stockton, California.

• He played college football at Oregon State (2011–2013), where he had a standout career.

• In his junior year, he recorded 128 receptions and 1,730 receiving yards — truly elite production.

• He won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in college (given to the top receiver) and was a Consensus All-American.

NFL Draft and Entry

• Cooks declared for the 2014 NFL Draft and was selected 20th overall by the New Orleans Saints.

• Over the years, he has played for several teams: Saints, New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, and then returned to the Saints.

Physical Attributes

• Height: ~5 ft 10 in

• Weight: ~193 lbs

Career Statistics (as of 2025)

• Total receptions: ~729

• Receiving yards: ~9,697

• Touchdowns: ~60 receiving TDs.

2. PFF (Pro Football Focus) Analysis

Pro Football Focus (PFF) is known for its advanced grading metrics, which evaluate players based on more than just raw stats. Let’s look at Cooks through that lens.

• According to PFF’s free agency profile, for the 2024 season, Cooks had a receiving grade of ~63.2.

• His rushing grade was in a similar range, though he did not have enough rushing snaps for all metrics.

• In context, these grades suggest that while Cooks may no longer be at his peak, he still contributes and has value, especially as a veteran presence and field-stretching threat.

Metrics That Matter

• One PFF analysis highlighted that Cooks performs especially well when matched against slower cornerbacks (in terms of combine 40-yard dash time).

• His big-play ability remains a strength — his speed helps him separate deep, which PFF values highly in their advanced breakdowns.

3. 40-Yard Dash Time

Brandin Cooks is widely known for his elite speed, and his 40-yard dash time is a big part of that reputation.

• At the 2014 NFL Combine, Cooks ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds.

• That 4.33s was the second-fastest among all players at the 2014 combine.

• According to MockDraftable, that time puts him in the 94th percentile among wide receivers for the 40-yard dash.

• His three-cone drill was also very good (6.76 seconds), showing his agility in addition to straight-line speed.

• According to his Relative Athletic Score (RAS), which aggregates athletic testing data, he scored 9.14/10, indicating elite athleticism.

Game Speed

• Beyond combine times, his in-game speed has been notable: in 2016, Next Gen Stats clocked some of his top plays at over 22 mph.

• That speed makes him a serious deep threat, especially in vertical passing schemes.

4. Teams — Career Journey

Brandin Cooks has had quite a journey in the NFL, playing for multiple teams. Here’s a breakdown:

1. New Orleans Saints (First stint: 2014–2016)

   • Drafted by Saints in 2014.

   • Quickly became a deep threat, putting up solid reception and yardage numbers.

2. New England Patriots (2017)

   • Traded to the Patriots in 2017.

   • In his sole season there, he had 65 receptions, 1,082 yards, and 7 touchdowns.

   • Played in Super Bowl LII with the Patriots.

3. Los Angeles Rams (2018–2019)

   • Traded to the Rams in 2018.

   • Signed a big extension: a five-year deal reportedly worth $81 million.

   • Helped the Rams’ offense; known for his speed and ability to stretch the field.

4. Houston Texans (2020–2022)

   • Traded in 2020 from the Rams to Texans.

   • In his first season, he had 81 catches, 1,150 yards, and 6 touchdowns across 15 games.

   • Continued to contribute for Houston for multiple seasons.

5. Dallas Cowboys (2023–2024)

   • Traded to the Cowboys in March 2023.

   • In the 2023 season, he played 16 games (15 starts), with 54 receptions, 657 yards, 8 touchdowns.

   • In 2024, his role reduced; he caught 26 passes for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns.

6. New Orleans Saints (Second stint: 2025)

   • In 2025, Cooks rejoined the Saints on a 2-year, $13 million deal.

   • Reportedly, he did not hit incentives in the contract and was released in November 2025.

5. ESPN Coverage & Contract / Rumors

ESPN has covered a lot of ground on Brandin Cooks, especially around his return to New Orleans.

• In March 2025, ESPN reported that Cooks re-signed with the Saints on a 2-year deal worth $13 million.

• The move was framed as a “homecoming,” since the Saints drafted him.

• ESPN analysts also noted that Cooks brings veteran leadership, deep-threat potential, and special-teams value in his second stint.

• However, by November 2025, ESPN reported that the Saints were releasing him — he failed to meet his performance-based incentives.

6. Rumors & Release

Rumors Over the Years

• Given his speed and big-play ability, Cooks has often been linked to teams needing a deep threat.

• During his time in Houston, there were multiple trade rumors — teams like the Rams, Vikings, Giants, and Packers reportedly expressed interest.

• Some speculation also arose about his role in teams, whether as a primary target or depth receiver, especially later in his career.

2025 Release

• In November 2025, the Saints released Brandin Cooks.

• According to ESPN, he did not trigger incentives in his contract for receptions, yards, or touchdowns.

• Reports suggest he renegotiated his deal to facilitate his release.

• His release marks another chapter in his journeyman career, but it also leaves open questions about his future: Will he sign elsewhere? Retire? Wait for another opportunity?

7. Strengths, Impact & Legacy

Speed & Explosiveness

• Cooks’ elite 40 time (4.33s) has always translated to game speed. He has consistently been a vertical threat.

• His acceleration and agility (reflected in his three-cone drill) make him dangerous off the line and in route separation.

Consistency Across Teams

• One of the rare players to have 1,000-yard receiving seasons with four different teams (Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans).

• This shows his adaptability to different systems and quarterbacks.

Durability and Longevity

• Despite being traded multiple times, Cooks has put up reliable production.

• His PFF grades may not always be elite in later years, but his role evolves — from go-to receiver to complementary deep threat and veteran leader.

Trade-Machine / “Journeyman” Reputation

• Because he has moved teams often, Cooks has gained a reputation as a “tradeable asset.” But this is also a testament to how many teams value his skill set.

• In fantasy football and in NFL circles, he often comes up as a useful veteran, especially for teams needing speed and experience.

Mentorship & Veteran Role

• In his second stint with the Saints, part of his value was reportedly mentoring younger receivers.

• His presence is more than just on-field — he brings experience, work ethic, and a story.

8. Criticisms & Challenges

• Declining Production: By 2025, his numbers were modest (19 catches, 165 yards, 0 touchdowns per ESPN) before his release.

• Incentive Misses: The fact that he didn’t trigger contract incentives suggests he may not have been heavily utilized or productive enough.

• Age & Wear: As with many older receivers, speed and separation can diminish; teams may view him more as a depth piece.

• Trade / Stability: While being traded often shows demand, it also suggests he’s not always part of a long-term core.

9. Future Outlook

Now that Brandin Cooks is a free agent (post-release), a few possible futures lie ahead:

1. Sign with a Contender: A playoff-contending team needing a deep threat could pick him up.

2. Short-term Veteran Contract: He may land a 1-year deal to mentor younger receivers or provide situational speed.

3. Retirement Consideration: Depending on his physical condition, he might weigh retirement if strong offers do not materialize.

4. Coaching / Mentorship Role (in future): Given his experience, he may transition post-playing career into coaching or mentorship.

FAQs

Q1: What is Brandin Cooks’ 40-yard dash time?
A1: He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the 2014 NFL Combine.

Q2: For which teams has Brandin Cooks played?
A2: He has played for: New Orleans Saints (two stints), New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Q3: What are his Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades like?
A3: In 2024, his PFF receiving grade was about 63.2, indicating moderate efficiency.

Q4: Why did the Saints release Brandin Cooks in 2025?
A4: According to ESPN, he did not hit his contract incentives (receptions, yards, touchdowns), and the team decided to release him.

Q5: Is Brandin Cooks still fast despite being older?
A5: Yes — his combine time (4.33s) shows elite speed, and even in-game tracking (Next Gen Stats) recorded plays over 22 mph.

Q6: Has he had 1,000-yard seasons for multiple teams?
A6: Yes — he is one of few receivers to have 1,000+ yard seasons with four different teams (Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans).

Conclusion

Brandin Cooks’ NFL journey is a compelling story of speed, adaptability, and evolution. From his blazing 4.33-second 40-yard dash to 1,000-yard seasons across multiple teams, he’s shown he can contribute in a variety of ways. Though his second stint with the Saints ended in his release, his legacy as a deep-threat playmaker and veteran leader remains strong. Whether another team picks him up or he contemplates retirement, Cooks’ impact on the league is undeniable.