Cowboys fantasy football 2023: Brandin Cooks or Michael Gallup?

Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks' 2023 fantasy value

Acquired from Houston for a 2023 fifth round pick and 2024 sixth sixth round pick, the Cowboys brought in Cooks to help shore up a glaring need at receiver and give the offense another game-breaking weapon.

Cooks posted 1,000-plus yards in two of the last three seasons in Houston. While last season he posted his lowest numbers since 2019, Cooks was angry with the front office that he wasn't traded by the deadline and battled a nagging calf injury for multiple weeks.

Remember, Cooks played on a Texans offense that ranked 32nd in points scored in 2021 and 31st in 2022 and had some of the worst QB play in the league. Unlike Gallup, Cooks hasn’t had any major injuries and has missed just five games in the past two seasons.

Now, Cooks will play on an offense that ranked top 10 in passing a season ago with studs like CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard, a healthier Gallup, and an upgrade at quarterback. Cooks could benefit from the attention that was lacking in Houston. I expect him to see 6-8 targets per game.

Evaluating his fantasy role, Cooks could serve as a flex option or be a starter in fantasy leagues that use three wide receivers. Heaven forbid if something happened to Lamb, Cooks would slot in as the WR1 in Dallas.

Overall, evaluating the two options, it’s easy to say Cooks is the better choice and while he will most certainly be selected well ahead of Gallup in the draft, don't be surprised to see a now healthy MG13 back in full form and productive again in 2023.

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