Brandin Cooks is an American football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. He achieved All-American honors playing college football at Oregon State before being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2014. His NFL journey has included stints with the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Houston Texans prior to joining the Cowboys.
1950: Highest Drafted Player from Oregon State Since Ken Carpenter
Brandin Cooks became the highest-drafted player from Oregon State since Ken Carpenter in 1950.
September 25, 1993: Birth of Brandin Cooks
Brandin Tawan Cooks was born on September 25, 1993.
September 28, 1997: Youngest Player to Catch a Touchdown Pass Since Reidel Anthony
On September 28, 1997, Reidel Anthony set the record for the youngest player to catch a touchdown pass.
2004: Second-Most Receiving Yards in a Game in Oregon State History
In 2004, Brandin Cooks recorded the second-most receiving yards in a single game in Oregon State history with 232 yards against California.
2005: Mike Hass Wins Biletnikoff Award
Mike Hass, the first Oregon State player to win the Biletnikoff Award, received the award in 2005.
2011: Start of College Football Career at Oregon State
Brandin Cooks began his college football career at Oregon State in 2011, playing under head coach Mike Riley.
2011: Formidable Receiving Duo with Rob Gronkowski
During his time with the Patriots, Brandin Cooks joined forces with Rob Gronkowski to become the team's first 1,000-yard receiving duo since 2011, showcasing their exceptional skills and contributions to the Patriots' offense.
2012: Breakout Sophomore Season at Oregon State
In 2012, Brandin Cooks had a breakout sophomore season at Oregon State, forming a dynamic receiving duo with Markus Wheaton and helping the team achieve a 9-4 record.
2012: Track and Field Success at Oregon State
In 2012, Brandin Cooks excelled in track and field at Oregon State, securing a second-place finish in the 60-meter dash at the UW Invitational with a personal best time of 6.81 seconds.
2013: Conclusion of College Football Career at Oregon State
Brandin Cooks concluded his college football career at Oregon State in 2013.
2013: Record-Breaking Season at Oregon State
Brandin Cooks had a record-breaking season at Oregon State in 2013, setting Pac-12 Conference records for receptions and receiving yards.
2013: Winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award
Brandin Cooks won the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2013, becoming the second Oregon State player to receive the honor.
January 2, 2014: Declaration for the 2014 NFL Draft
On January 2, 2014, Brandin Cooks announced his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2014 NFL draft.
May 18, 2014: Signing with the New Orleans Saints
On May 18, 2014, Brandin Cooks signed a four-year contract worth $8.3 million with the New Orleans Saints.
2014: Drafted by the New Orleans Saints
In 2014, Brandin Cooks was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the NFL draft.
2014: Drafted by New Orleans Saints
In 2014, the New Orleans Saints selected Brandin Cooks as the 20th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft.
2014: Lowest Stats since Rookie Season
The 2019 season saw Brandin Cooks record his lowest receiving stats since his rookie year in 2014, marking a challenging period in his otherwise successful career. Despite the lower output, his talent and potential remained evident.
2015: Target Comparison
In 2016, despite a decrease in targets compared to his 2015 season, Brandin Cooks demonstrated remarkable efficiency on the field. His ability to maximize opportunities solidified his standing as a valuable asset to the Saints' offense.
2015: Becoming the Number-One Wide Receiver for the Saints
Brandin Cooks began the 2015 season as the New Orleans Saints' number-one wide receiver.
2016: Top 10 NFL Receiver
Concluding the 2016 season, Brandin Cooks achieved a significant career milestone by finishing seventh in the NFL for receiving yards, solidifying his position as a top-tier wide receiver.
2016: The Archer
In 2016, Brandin Cooks began celebrating big plays with a bow-and-arrow motion, a reference to a Bible verse about Ishmael's archery skills. This celebration earned him the nickname "the Archer."
2016: Breakout Season with the Saints
In 2016, Brandin Cooks lived up to the pre-season hype, starting the season strong with an impressive performance against the Oakland Raiders, despite the loss. He also set a Saints franchise record for the longest play from scrimmage with a 98-yard touchdown catch. Despite a drop in targets from the previous season, Cooks finished strong with career highs in receiving yards, securing his place as a top receiver in the league.
March 10, 2017: Traded to the New England Patriots
On March 10, 2017, Brandin Cooks was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for a first-round and third-round draft pick, marking a significant turning point in his NFL career.
April 29, 2017: Contract Option Picked Up
On April 29, 2017, the New England Patriots exercised the fifth-year option on Brandin Cooks' contract, securing his services for the foreseeable future.
April 3, 2018: Traded to the Los Angeles Rams
In a significant move on April 3, 2018, Brandin Cooks was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a first-round and sixth-round draft pick.
July 7, 2018: Marriage
Brandin Cooks married Briannon Lepman on July 7, 2018.
July 17, 2018: Signs with the Rams
On July 17, 2018, Brandin Cooks solidified his commitment to the Los Angeles Rams by signing a lucrative five-year, $81 million contract extension, signaling the team's belief in his abilities.
2019: Statistical Dip with the Rams
During the 2019 season, Brandin Cooks experienced a dip in his statistical output, recording his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2014. Despite this setback, his contributions remained crucial to the Rams' offensive scheme.
April 10, 2020: Traded to the Houston Texans
On April 10, 2020, Brandin Cooks was traded to the Houston Texans, marking his third team in four years and adding another chapter to his NFL journey.
2020: Joins Elite Company with 1,000-Yard Season
In 2020, Brandin Cooks achieved a rare feat by surpassing 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth time with a different team, joining Brandon Marshall as the only players in NFL history to accomplish this, solidifying his legacy as one of the league's most productive wide receivers.
2020: Philanthropic Contribution to Hometown
In 2020, Brandin Cooks donated $50,000 to his hometown of Stockton, California, to help establish the Stockton Children's Fund, demonstrating his commitment to giving back and supporting those in need.
2020: Joining the Houston Texans
In 2020, Brandin Cooks joined the Houston Texans after playing for the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Rams.
April 7, 2022: Signs Contract Extension with Texans
On April 7, 2022, despite trade rumors, Brandin Cooks chose to stay with the Houston Texans, signing a two-year contract extension worth $39.6 million, a testament to his commitment to the team and his value within the organization.
2022: Future Draft Pick Included in Trade
As part of the trade to the Texans, a 2022 fourth-round draft pick was included in the deal, highlighting the value placed on Cooks' talent and potential impact.
March 19, 2023: Traded to the Dallas Cowboys
On March 19, 2023, Brandin Cooks was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, marking his fourth team in six years and tying the NFL record for most times traded, previously held by Eric Dickerson.
2024: Future Draft Pick Part of Trade
The trade of Brandin Cooks to the Cowboys involved a future draft pick, specifically a sixth-round pick in 2024, further highlighting his ongoing value and potential impact in the league.