Buffalo Rumblings
Following a Week 12 loss where the Buffalo Bills again saw most of their wide receivers struggle to gain separation and make a meaningful impact down the field, plenty wondered if it was time to look outside the organization for help. Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks became a hot name in plenty of Bills-centric circles in recent days after he asked for and received his release.
Cooks cleared waivers on November 24, which allowed him to become a free agent. Reports stated that Cooks was most interested in joining one of three teams: The Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, or Buffalo Bills. Clearly, general manager Brandon Beane got that message and decided to grant him his Western New York wish.
Cooks now joins a Bills wide receivers room in need of consistency and production to complement wide receiver Khalil’s production, and open up opportunities for others to contribute. It’s pretty clear that Beane knew he had to do something if outcomes for quarterback Josh Allen and the team were going to improve in 2025.
Will Cooks provide the type of spark Buffalo’s offense needs? It remains to be seen how much the 5’10”, 193-pound Cooks can bring to an offense already 11 games into its season. At 32, Cooks is an elder statesman for the Bills’ offense — someone who most recently seemed best-utilized in the short passing game. Making three starts in 10 games this season with the Saints, Cook caught 19 passes (25 targets) for 165 yards. Joining the Bills now allows Cooks to catch passes from Josh Allen — a decided upgrade in opportunity compared to what New Orleans could offer.
Cooks entered the NFL with the Saints, as the 20th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was traded to the New England Patriots in 2017, only to then be traded again in 2018 to the Los Angeles Rams. Cooks played two seasons with the Rams before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2020. In 2023, he was again traded — this time to the Dallas Cowboys, where he remained until reuniting with New Orleans this past offseason.
The Bills have been looking for a vertical threat at wide receiver all season. In his second season, wide receiver Keon Coleman has not been able to consistently carry that torch, and often struggling in contested-catch situations. Cooks may be able to bring a bit more deep speed to the passing attack, but he’s unlikely to carry the same agility that once helped him early in his career.
In 12 NFL seasons across six changes of scenery, Cooks has caught 729 passes (1,124 targets) for 9,697 yards (13.3 y/r), with 60 touchdowns — adding 58 rushes for 341 yards and two additional touchdowns (per Pro Football Reference).
Most recently, Buffalo has turned to wide receivers Gabe Davis and Mecole Hardman Jr. Davis has had a mostly smooth transition back to catching passes from Allen, but Hardman Jr. is already on Injured Reserve after...
