Brandin Cooks

Brandin Tawan Cooks Bio

Brandin Tawan Cooks is an American professional football wide receiver who currently plays for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was born on September 25, 1993, in Stockton, California, and has established himself as one of the most productive deep threats in professional football over his career. Cooks played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, where he earned consensus All-American honors and won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick. Throughout his career, Cooks has been known for his exceptional speed, reliable hands, and ability to stretch the field, making him a valuable asset for every team he has joined.

Early Life and Background

Cooks was born in Stockton, California, to Worth Cooks Sr. and Andrea Glasper Cooks. His father, Worth Cooks Sr., passed away from a heart attack when Brandin was just six years old. Cooks and his three brothers, Fred, Worth Jr., and Andre, were raised by their mother Andrea following their father’s death. This early adversity shaped Cooks’ character and work ethic as he grew up in the Central Valley of California.

Cooks attended Lincoln High School in Stockton, where he excelled at multiple sports. On the football field, he developed into a highly productive receiver. As a sophomore, he recorded 29 receptions for 600 yards and seven touchdowns. His junior year saw him improve to 46 receptions for 783 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also collecting three interceptions on defense. As a senior, Cooks caught 66 passes for 1,125 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Rivals.com recruiting network ranked him as the 26th-best wide receiver and the 240th overall prospect in his class. Cooks originally committed to play at UCLA but ultimately chose Oregon State University. Beyond football, he also participated in basketball and track and field during high school.

Path to Professional Football

Cooks arrived at Oregon State University in 2011 and immediately made an impact for the Beavers under head coach Mike Riley. In his freshman season, he played in all 12 games with three starts, recording 31 receptions for 391 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned kickoffs, averaging 22.4 yards per return on eight attempts during a challenging 3-9 season for the program.

His sophomore year in 2012 marked a significant breakthrough. Cooks formed a dynamic receiving duo with Markus Wheaton that became one of the most prolific in college football. He recorded 67 receptions for 1,151 yards and five touchdowns as Oregon State improved to a 9-4 record. The combination of Cooks and Wheaton totaled 158 receptions, 2,395 yards, and 16 touchdowns that season, setting the stage for Cooks’ historic junior year.

Brandin Tawan Cooks Career

College Career (2011–2013)

The 2013 season represented the pinnacle of Cooks’ collegiate career and one of the greatest individual seasons in Oregon State history. He recorded 128 receptions for 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading the entire NCAA in receiving yards. His 128 receptions shattered the school single-season record, previously held by James Rodgers and Markus Wheaton with 91 each. He was held under 100 yards only four times and exceeded 200 yards in a game twice, including a 232-yard performance against California.

Cooks won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top receiver, and earned consensus All-American honors. He also earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition. His 1,730 receiving yards and 128 receptions both set Pac-12 Conference records. He finished his collegiate career second in school history in receptions, third in receiving yards, and first in receiving touchdowns. On January 2, 2014, Cooks announced he would forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft.

New Orleans Saints (2014–2016)

The New Orleans Saints selected Cooks with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Saints traded up from the 27th spot, sending their first and third-round picks to the Arizona Cardinals, to secure Cooks. He signed a four-year, $8.3 million contract on May 18, 2014. Cooks was the highest drafted player out of Oregon State since Ken Carpenter in 1950 and the highest-drafted wide receiver in school history.

In his NFL debut, Cooks caught seven passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in a 37-34 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons. At 20 years and 347 days old, he became the youngest player to catch a touchdown pass since 1997. However, his rookie season was cut short when he broke his thumb in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, ending his year with 53 receptions for 550 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games.

Cooks bounced back strongly in 2015, catching 84 passes for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games, leading the Saints in all receiving categories. He had his first 100-yard game against the Philadelphia Eagles with five receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. In 2016, he recorded 78 receptions for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns, finishing seventh in the NFL in receiving yards. He caught a 98-yard touchdown pass against the Oakland Raiders, setting a Saints franchise record for the longest play from scrimmage.

New England Patriots (2017)

On March 10, 2017, the Patriots acquired Cooks from the Saints in exchange for their 2017 first-round and third-round draft picks. He immediately formed a prolific connection with quarterback Tom Brady. During a Week 3 victory over the Houston Texans, Cooks had five receptions for 131 yards and scored his first two touchdowns as a Patriot, including a 25-yard game-winner with 23 seconds remaining.

Cooks finished his only season with New England with 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. He and tight end Rob Gronkowski became the Patriots’ first 1,000-yard receiving duo since 2011. The Patriots finished 13-3 and earned the top seed in the AFC playoffs. Cooks played in the Divisional Round and AFC Championship Game before suffering a concussion in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles, which caused him to miss the remainder of the game as the Patriots lost 41-33.

Los Angeles Rams (2018–2019)

The Patriots traded Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams on April 3, 2018, for a first-round pick and a sixth-round pick. Before the season, Cooks signed a five-year, $81 million extension with $50.5 million guaranteed. He had a standout season with 80 receptions for a career-high 1,204 yards and five touchdowns. In Week 9 against his former team, Cooks caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in a high-scoring affair against the Saints.

Cooks became the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons with three different teams. The Rams reached Super Bowl LIII, where Cooks caught eight passes for 120 yards, but the Rams lost 3-1 to the Patriots in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in history. The 2019 season was hampered by injuries, including two concussions, as Cooks recorded 42 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

Houston Texans (2020–2022)

On April 10, 2020, the Texans acquired Cooks in exchange for a second-round draft pick. He immediately became a productive target, recording 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and six touchdowns in his first season. Cooks joined Brandon Marshall as the only players in NFL history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season with four different teams. In 2021, he caught a career-high 90 passes for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns, becoming the third player in Texans franchise history with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

On April 7, 2022, Cooks signed a two-year contract extension worth $39.6 million with $36 million guaranteed. He finished that season with 57 receptions for 699 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games despite battling injuries, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards.

Dallas Cowboys (2023–2024)

The Texans traded Cooks to the Dallas Cowboys on March 19, 2023, in exchange for draft picks. This trade made Cooks tied for the NFL all-time record for most times a player had been traded. He appeared in 16 games with 15 starts, recording 54 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns. During Week 10 against the New York Giants, he had nine receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown.

In the 2024 season, Cooks was placed on injured reserve before Week 5 with a knee issue and missed seven games. He finished with 26 receptions for 259 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games and nine starts.

New Orleans Saints (Second Stint) and Buffalo Bills (2025)

On March 21, 2025, Cooks signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the New Orleans Saints, returning to the team that drafted him in 2014. He was released on November 19, 2025. Later that month, on November 25, 2025, Cooks signed with the Buffalo Bills. In the 2025 season combining both teams, he appeared in 15 games with five starts, recording 24 receptions for 279 yards.

Driving Style and Strengths

Cooks has built his reputation as an elite deep threat throughout his career. His exceptional straight-line speed allows him to stretch defenses and create explosive plays down the field. Despite his listed height of 5-10, he excels at high-pointing the ball and winning contested catches. His ability to produce 1,000-yard seasons with multiple franchises demonstrates his versatility and reliability regardless of quarterback or offensive system.

Notable Events and Milestones

Cooks became the first player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons with three different teams. He has been part of two Super Bowl appearances, reaching the big game with both the Patriots in 2017 and the Rams in 2018. His career has been marked by consistency, having missed only limited time due to injuries while maintaining his status as a productive starting receiver.

Brandin Tawan Cooks Career Wins

Throughout his career spanning from 2014 to 2025, Cooks has established himself as one of the most consistent receivers in the NFL with over 9,800 career receiving yards and 60 touchdowns. His ability to transition seamlessly between different offensive systems has made him a valuable asset for multiple franchises seeking a reliable pass-catcher.

NFL Career Highlights

Cooks has recorded multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons throughout his career, including standout years with the Saints in 2016 (1,173 yards) and the Rams in 2018 (1,204 yards, a career high). His most recent 1,000-yard season came with the Texans in 2021 when he caught 90 passes for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns. In his rookie season, he showed promise with 550 receiving yards and three touchdowns before his injury-shortened year. With the Patriots in 2017, he contributed 1,082 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during their run to Super Bowl LII.

Other Wins and Performances

Beyond his receiving production, Cooks has contributed on the ground with 341 career rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He has appeared in multiple playoff games, including two Super Bowls, and has recorded key receptions in high-pressure situations. His career-high single-game performance came during his time with the Rams when he eclipsed 150 receiving yards in a game.

Brandin Tawan Cooks Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Cooks was raised by his mother, Andrea Glasper Cooks, following the death of his father, Worth Cooks Sr., who passed away from a heart attack when Brandin was six years old. He has three brothers: Fred, Worth Jr., and Andre. The family has remained close throughout Cooks’ professional career, with his mother supporting him from Stockton throughout his football journey.

Personal Life

Cooks married Briannon Lepman on July 7, 2018. He is openly Christian and has referenced his faith through his touchdown celebrations. During the 2016 season, Cooks adopted a bow-and-arrow motion to celebrate big plays, referencing a Bible verse about a boy named Ishmael using archery skills to survive. This celebration earned him the nickname “The Archer.” In 2020, Cooks demonstrated his commitment to his community by donating $50,000 to his hometown of Stockton, California, to help establish the Stockton Children’s Fund, which supported local children impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Cooks earned his Private Pilot License and Instrument Rating.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Cooks as he returned to his original NFL franchise before being released and signed by Buffalo mid-season. He began the year with the New Orleans Saints on a two-year, $13 million contract, appearing in limited action before being let go in November. The Bills signed him shortly after, providing him with an opportunity to contribute to a playoff-caliber team.

During his time with Buffalo, Cooks showed he could still be a productive contributor when called upon. In Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded four receptions for 101 yards in a closely contested 13-12 loss. His combined statistics for the 2025 season across both teams included 24 receptions for 279 yards in 15 games with five starts, demonstrating his ability to remain effective as he continues his career.

In the playoffs, Cooks was involved in one of the most controversial moments of the postseason. During the Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos, a deep pass in overtime was intercepted by cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian after both players jumped for the ball. McMillian landed on top of Cooks and pulled the ball away in the end zone. Officials ruled it an interception, a call that stood after video review. Bills head coach Sean McDermott publicly criticized the ruling, believing Cooks should have been credited with a valid catch. The Broncos drove downfield to kick the game-winning field goal, eliminating the Bills with a 33-30 victory.