3 Houston Texans who could make their first Pro Bowl in 2020
1. Brandin Cooks
Three things immediately stand out as shocking when it comes to Brandin Cooks:
- Though he’s entering his seventh season in the NFL, Cooks is still just 26(!) years old.
- Assuming he makes the Texans’ final roster (and he will), Cooks will open the season for his fourth different team in seven years … despite his unquestioned status as a WR1/WR2.
- Though he’s had over 1,000 yards receiving in four of his six seasons, Cooks still has never been named to a Pro Bowl.
All three of those truths are shocking when you consider Brandin Cooks as a player and a talent.
In short: It’s high-time he finally makes his way to the Pro Bowl.
Will Fuller might technically be considered the elevated WR1 on Houston’s roster because of his seniority and experience, but it shouldn’t surprise anyone if Cooks ends up outplaying Fuller this year and finishing with more receiving yards.
Both have injury risks attached to them, but Cooks at least has finished four complete regular seasons in his career — Fuller has yet to go wire-to-wire even once.
It should be an encouraging sign that DeAndre Hopkins was a Pro Bowler in each of Deshaun Watson’s three years in the NFL (2017, 2018, 2019).
While no one should expect Cooks to replicate Hopkins’ levels of success and statistical production, he at least has a very good opportunity in front of him this season to finally earn that elusive Pro Bowl nod that’s thus far escaped him throughout his impressive career.