2. Brandin Cooks – Wide Receiver
“The Archer” has yet to perform like last season, and he is on pace to potentially have less than 1,000 receiving yards this season, as some of that is due to the play of Davis Mills at quarterback in year two.
That said, Cooks has to improve as well, because is seems he hasn’t adjusted back to the speed of the NFL, because he has not looked the same compared to last season.
Last week Cooks only caught two of his seven targets, with only 22 receiving yards. Cooks is still very talented but has yet to look as explosive as last season. Cooks is the undoubted leader of the offense, with his lack of production and poor accuracy from Mills leading to questions of whether he will continue to be the No. 1 wide receiver on the team.
This season Cooks has totaled 13 receptions for 158 yards and no touchdowns. He’s been targeted 29 times by Mills. The next most targets for a Houston wide receiver is Nico Collins with 16. Running back Rex Burkhead also has 16 targets in three games this season.
Cooks will continue to receive his targets, as he is the safety net for Mills. Cooks still has the talent and skills to be the number one option on the field, but will he and Mills step up this week?