NFL.com names Brandin Cooks as Dallas Cowboys most 'under-appreciated' player

Quick question. On the Dallas roster, who may be the most overlooked and under appreciated Cowboys player? A writer with NFL.com says that it’s Brandin Cooks.

The veteran receiver is starting his second season with the Cowboys, who traded for him in March, 2023, sending the Texans fifth- and sixth-round draft picks to the Texans in exchange for Cooks. Dallas is the fifth NFL stop for the 30-year-old. He’s caught passes from Tom Brady and Drew Brees (who recommended him to the Cowboys.). And now he’s an option for Dak Prescott.

Tom Blair of NFL.com singled out Cooks as the most underappreciated Cowboy. He wrote this week:

Cooks has definitely been appreciated by NFL teams, who have paid him plenty and traded for him several times since he was drafted in 2014. But he’s never made the Pro Bowl or first-team All-Pro, and in four of his six 1,000-yard seasons, his team had a losing record, meaning he’s spent a good portion of his career on the fringes of the competitive landscape.

So even before 2023, he probably could have qualified for a “lifetime underappreciation award.” Now — as even he would admit — he is no longer the top pass-catching option on the field. That said, he’s kept his per-catch mark above 12 yards over the past two seasons, and he says he’s “ready to rock” after picking things up in the second half last season. The volume might not be there, but he’s a consummate pro who can still play an important role for Dallas.

let him cook 🍽️ @brandincooks #DallasCowboys | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/twBuV6JePF

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 24, 2024

Other receivers stepping up for Cowboys as CeeDee Lamb sits out OTAs because of contract negotiations

Cooks is getting plenty of looks as the Cowboys go through phase three of OTAs at The Star practice fields. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas’ undisputed No. 1 receiver, is sitting out OTAs as he waits for a new contract. That means more work for Jalen Brooks and Jalen Tolbert.

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said the youngsters should take advantage of Lamb’s absence.

“I think anytime you have an opportunity as a young receiver to get reps, it’s a it’s a huge opportunity,” McCarthy said last week. “(That’s) especially if it’s with the first group. So I mean, both JT and J. Brooks … those two guys had a really, really nice practices … so I think just anytime you get those extra reps, it’s great for young guys.”

Meanwhile, Cooks will be 31 this season, he’s still one of the fastest Cowboys on the roster, so he’ll always be a good option. He caught 54 passes for 657 yards and eight touchdowns last season as he adjusted to the Dallas offense.