Brandin Cooks DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandin Cooks has not been very involved in the offense since joining the team three weeks ago, but stands to take a step forward in Week 7. In Week 6, injuries to Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles) opened the door for Cooks to be on the field for more than 50% of offensive plays for the first time. Both receivers have been ruled out for Week 7, pushing Cooks up the depth chart and positioning him to soak up some of their target share. Cooks will still have to contend with Jordan Watkins and possibly Christian Kirk (calf) for looks behind George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey, making him a somewhat risky start. There is the potential for a big week, as the Falcons have given up the most receptions, fourth-most receiving yards, and seventh-most half-PPR points to wide receivers. Cooks projects as a WR4 going into Week 7. His matchup elevates his ceiling, making him a worthwhile gamble in deeper leagues.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Cooks should see an expanded role in Week 7. Over two games, Cooks has caught two of four targets for 20 yards and a touchdown while playing just 34% of snaps. The veteran receiver signed with the 49ers' practice squad in late September after multiple key receivers went down early in the season. While the 49ers are 6-0, their wide receiver room is deteriorating, with Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) trending towards possibly missing their Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The current room includes Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and potentially Christian Kirk (calf) if he's activated off the PUP list. Although he's struggled to start his tenure with San Francisco, Cooks has a legitimate opportunity to start for one of the NFL's most high-powered passing attacks. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should consider rostering the 33-year-old receiver, especially if they're dealing with bye weeks and injuries this week.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandin Cooks had one catch in his team debut last week, but it was good for a seven-yard touchdown. Amid injuries to Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) and Mike Evans (ribs, Achilles), Cooks was mostly rotated into two-WR sets, and his snap share was nearly equal to that of Samuel, Jacob Cowing (ankle), and Jordan Watkins. With Samuel ruled out for Week 6, and Evans questionable after not practicing all week, Cooks might take another step forward on Monday night. The 49ers will host the Commanders in the final game of the slate, and Washington has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2026. Cooks currently projects as a WR5 in Week 6. He is best suited for deep leagues and is worth stashing elsewhere as a late pivot option for teams rostering Evans.