New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks caught seven passes for 77 yards and one touchdown in his first NFL game. He also took one carry for 18 yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
Brandin Cooks impresses fantasy owners in Week 1 debut
The rookie wideout scored a touchdown in just his second quarter of regular season action in the NFL.
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Cooks was targeted eight times by Drew Brees, ranking second overall among the Saints receiving corps. He did most of his damage in the first half, with the Falcons focused on stopping the rookie in their halftime adjustments.
Fantasy impact: The hype appears to be real, for now at least. Cooks' ADP rose above Marques Colston's this draft season (Colston finished with five catches for 112 yards) when fantasy owners bought into his speed and potential to play all across the Saints offense. New Orleans lined Cooks up in various spots throughout Week 1, making him a big part of the game plan from the start.
The Falcons worked to take Cooks out of the picture in the second half. Atlanta's defense also isn't the toughest matchup for the speedster. His potential looks promising, but his usage may vary week to week, especially when Kenny Stills returns to the lineup.
