New England Patriots - Fantasy News

Super Bowl 52 DFS Picks: Brandin Cooks

by Adam Markowitz

1/25/18

NFL

New England Patriots

Brandin Cooks

Tom Brady and Bill Belichick get a ton of credit for the dynasty they have built together, but credit should go to the New England Patriots' front office as well. This franchise always seems to find a way to get veteran players on the cheap at exactly the right points in their career.

The newest vet who has had a huge impact in his first year in Foxboro is Brandin Cooks. He was New England's top wide receiver this season and is always a threat to stretch the field.

But none of that success in the regular season will necessarily mean anything when the Pats take the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII.

Why Should I Start Brandin Cooks?

Cooks is up against a relatively high Dober Fantasy Points total of 12.0, but he could easily get there in one reception. He had 18 catches this year that covered at least 20 yards, including two touchdowns that went for at least 50 yards.

Brady loves his deep balls; 94 of his 488 career touchdown passes have covered at least 30 yards. He has three 60-plus yard touchdown passes in his playoff career and three others that were good for at least 30 yards.

Cooks is absolutely the most likely man to haul in one of these Brady bombs.

Let's also not forget that Cooks has tallied at least 14 Dober Fantasy Points in two of his last three games, including when he caught six passes for 100 yards last week against a very good Jacksonville secondary.

Why Should I Bench Brandin Cooks?

This matchup just doesn't seem ideal for Cooks. The Eagles love to pressure the quarterback with just four pass rushers, and that will leave safeties over the top to defend against the deep ball. Furthermore, that pass rush is still one of the best in the NFL and is clearly a large point of concern for Brady. Will he have time to take five-step drops and work the ball down the field to his speedy receiver?

Let's also remember that injuries have played a role in Cooks' recent success. Chris Hogan missed most of the second half of the season, and he hasn't looked healthy thus far in the playoffs. Rob Gronkowski also sat out the second half of the AFC Championship Game against Jacksonville, opening up the offense for Cooks even more than usual.

We suspect that time will heal all wounds for these two Patriots, and they should be back in the fold and playing at a high level.

That doesn't render Cooks useless, of course, but a man who was fifth on the team in red zone catches this season probably shouldn't have a Projected Fantasy Points total of 12.0.

Should I Make Brandin Cooks a Super Bowl Fantasy Pick?

It's risky, but probably not. Cooks could easily be shut down by Malcolm Jenkins and the gang for 59 minutes, only to watch him catch a 70-yard touchdown to beat us on one play.

That said, we'll play the percentages here. Brady is going to have too many targets to work the ball to over the course of this game, and Cooks could end up being the odd man out. We'll take our chances that he stays under 80 or so yards and fails to beat his PFP total.

Super Bowl Fantasy Prediction: Brandin Cooks Under 12.0 DFP