Bills sign Brandin Cooks

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

24 minutes ago, Tanoros said:

You have to also add in the 3rd we gave up for Amari Cooper last year (3 points), and it was pre Bean, but it impacted Beane’s first draft and that’s the 3rd we gave up for Benjamin (3 points). Overall since 2018 we’d have the equivalent of 19 points towards receiver. Which is much closer to the average than 5. That’s not even factoring in all the other picks we gave up for Cooper, Diggs, Benjamin, which meant we had less resources for other positions, which in turn could impact future drafts. 
 

Overall, I think everyone agrees Beane should have emphasized receiver much more than he has. I’ve wanted a top receiver for quite some time, hoping that we would trade up for one. Every GM and team is going to have their own strategies and for whatever reason Beane has not valued drafting receivers high, which is so frustrating. 

Thanks.But, don't forget the other teams have traded resources as well, not just the Bills.

[Capco]

1 hour ago, Dick_Cheney said:

 

I thought about it and I get why he is usually one of, if not the, go to pick/s, but in my mind, I factor in what's at stake for when that player is drafted. Sure, it would have been amazing to have him work out and be a bedrock of the team for a decade going forward, but those teams had an ungodly amount of problems all around.

 

With Keon, it's a lot more bleak in my opinion. Drafted to hopefully be a true game changing weapon for Josh, and a critical piece for the team to finally, finally get over the hump and win a Super Bowl, or hell, even get to one again. Instead we've gotten...yeah.

 

I think people are underestimating that side of things, and as much as I still absolutely want the guy to turn into that kind of player, it's not looking good. I really don't know what it would take. Usually, outside of a near death experience, nothing really changes a person's internal motivation to succeed or to truly reinvent themselves to become the best version of themselves possible.

Fair point on the different situations and the end result for the Bills if either player reached their potential.  

[Nihilarian]

36 minutes ago, NewEra said:

 This is the point of my original post.  He CAN get separation and run very good routes.  He CAN get deep and push defenses back to cover the 15-30 yard pass.  We’ve barely tried to let him show it.  
 

I can recall 3 great intermediate-deep  routes that led to 3 huge plays for us this season.  One of which was a game winner.  It would’ve been nice to see more of them early on, but Brady was too busy calling WR screens and Josh was too busy bailing from the pocket prematurely.  
 

to answer your question, he can help move the chains.  He could also help keep defenses honest if we took some shots with him.  But we don’t.  

Certain Bills fans here have been constantly complaining about how Buffalo needs that #1 WR since that first loss, and yet they were the #2 scoring team in the NFL last season, #1 including the playoffs.  What those fans don't get is the Bills were able to score like crazy in the passing game last season, and in particular against Detroit, and LA Rams. What they also don't get is for whatever reason, this OC has fallen on his face this year.

 

Whether on purpose or a lack of knowledge on how to scheme a great passing offense. My take, I think it's because he is looking elsewhere. That game plan against the Texans showed the world he doesn't shiv a git about getting Josh Allen injured or killed, as he didn't have an extra lineman in there to max protect and kept calling for mid to deep passing plays.  EIGHT sacks showed us that. I think he wants out of Buffalo for some reason. If I'm McD, I'd oblige to a degree and demote him.

 

I could be wrong, and he is simply inept at installing new game plans. I fear it's not the receivers, it's the OC! 

[jkeerie]

20 minutes ago, Nihilarian said:

Certain Bills fans here have been constantly complaining about how Buffalo needs that #1 WR since that first loss, and yet they were the #2 scoring team in the NFL last season, #1 including the playoffs.  What those fans don't get is the Bills were able to score like crazy in the passing game last season, and in particular against Detroit, and LA Rams. What they also don't get is for whatever reason, this OC has fallen on his face this year.

 

Whether on purpose or a lack of knowledge on how to scheme a great passing offense. My take, I think it's because he is looking elsewhere. That game plan against the Texans showed the world he doesn't shiv a git about getting Josh Allen injured or killed, as he didn't have an extra lineman in there to max protect and kept calling for mid to deep passing plays.  EIGHT sacks showed us that. I think he wants out of Buffalo for some reason. If I'm McD, I'd oblige to a degree and demote him.

 

I could be wrong, and he is simply inept at installing new game plans. I fear it's not the receivers, it's the OC! 

I totally agree with this.  Brady shows no consistency game to game and he has no in-game awareness.  It's like he throws out stuff to see if it works.  If it does, he may or may not use it again.  Whatever "game plan" he walks into a game with...he sticks with it, irrespective of what is going on in the game, or if something is working or not.  Last year Alec Anderson was brought in as a 6th lineman on numerous occasions...and it helped.  Now that has been abandoned in favor of Hawes...but Hawes i not used strictly as a blocker and so the oline is not getting the same impact.  As good as some defenses are in this league, the Texans are a step above with their players and scheme.   To trust 5 men to protect Josh in that game, with no outlet receivers was unconscionable.  He's lucky Josh wasn't severely injured.

 

I do believe that Brady is looking to move on and he's just going through the motions.  It wouldn't surprise me if he goes back to the college ranks, with so many openings.

[JerseyBills]

WR1 !!!

[Nihilarian]

29 minutes ago, jkeerie said:

I totally agree with this.  Brady shows no consistency game to game and he has no in-game awareness.  It's like he throws out stuff to see if it works.  If it does, he may or may not use it again.  Whatever "game plan" he walks into a game with...he sticks with it, irrespective of what is going on in the game, or if something is working or not.  Last year Alec Anderson was brought in as a 6th lineman on numerous occasions...and it helped.  Now that has been abandoned in favor of Hawes...but Hawes i not used strictly as a blocker and so the oline is not getting the same impact.  As good as some defenses are in this league, the Texans are a step above with their players and scheme.   To trust 5 men to protect Josh in that game, with no outlet receivers was unconscionable.  He's lucky Josh wasn't severely injured.

 

I do believe that Brady is looking to move on and he's just going through the motions.  It wouldn't surprise me if he goes back to the college ranks, with so many openings.

Either way, what that jackass (JB) doesn't realize is that if the Bills get to the SB, he can write his own ticket to whatever NFL HCing job is open. Titans, NY Giants, NY Jets, Dolphins, Cleveland, Raiders, Saints, and Arizona Cardinals all might be looking for a new head coach. Perhaps even Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

[Success]

1 hour ago, Nihilarian said:

Certain Bills fans here have been constantly complaining about how Buffalo needs that #1 WR since that first loss, and yet they were the #2 scoring team in the NFL last season, #1 including the playoffs.  What those fans don't get is the Bills were able to score like crazy in the passing game last season, and in particular against Detroit, and LA Rams. What they also don't get is for whatever reason, this OC has fallen on his face this year.

 

Whether on purpose or a lack of knowledge on how to scheme a great passing offense. My take, I think it's because he is looking elsewhere. That game plan against the Texans showed the world he doesn't shiv a git about getting Josh Allen injured or killed, as he didn't have an extra lineman in there to max protect and kept calling for mid to deep passing plays.  EIGHT sacks showed us that. I think he wants out of Buffalo for some reason. If I'm McD, I'd oblige to a degree and demote him.

 

I could be wrong, and he is simply inept at installing new game plans. I fear it's not the receivers, it's the OC! 

 

There are issues w/ our schemes on both sides of the ball.

 

We complain endlessly about a lack of talent in this unit or that unit, or overall.  And we don't have a lot of "pro bowl" caliber talent. But I will generally believe that we could be much better on both offense & defense if we had real coordinators who had a track record of success. We're not getting the most out of the talent we have.

 

[jethro_tull]

With a 76% catch rate in '25 through 10 games played I'll take him.....

[Nihilarian]

25 minutes ago, Success said:

 

There are issues w/ our schemes on both sides of the ball.

 

We complain endlessly about a lack of talent in this unit or that unit, or overall.  And we don't have a lot of "pro bowl" caliber talent. But I will generally believe that we could be much better on both offense & defense if we had real coordinators who had a track record of success. We're not getting the most out of the talent we have.

 

On offense, I agree.

 

On defense, I disagree, as I think there are times when they are overachieving. In the first half of some games, they are getting smoked, and in the second half, putting a choke-hold on teams.  A few things are happening with the defense besides the injuries, as they are just not getting the turnovers like they did last season, and they have a mix of older vets and young players learning their way.

 

Think about how good this defense might have been with Max Hairston with a full training camp and preseason. With Ed Oliver fully healthy, with Michael Hoecht who returns from suspension, only to blow out his Achillies* after a great performance. Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin. Benford, Bernard, Bosa, Lawson, and others at different times. 

 

Right now, the Bills might be without both starting offensive tackles, with Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, and Kahlil Shakir all probably out. Some Bills fans simply say, Oh, all teams have injuries...not to this extent and keep winning. It's kind of ridiculous. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Nihilarian

[BeastMaster]

2 hours ago, Psautcsk said:

Josh Palmer does what for this team?

Nothing

 

Which is what should have been expected given his past production 

 

Yet Beane paid him as if he'd be a difference maker, and he's not even close to that

[ColoradoBills]

Elijah Moore was a total no show for the team.

 

Replacing him with Brandin Cooks for $418k for the rest of the year in OK with me.

 

Welcome, and Good Luck Brandin!

[EmotionallyUnstable]

Stat line vs Steelers is either going to be 8-145-2 or 2-34-0

[DapperCam]

2 hours ago, jkeerie said:

I totally agree with this.  Brady shows no consistency game to game and he has no in-game awareness.  It's like he throws out stuff to see if it works.  If it does, he may or may not use it again.  Whatever "game plan" he walks into a game with...he sticks with it, irrespective of what is going on in the game, or if something is working or not.  Last year Alec Anderson was brought in as a 6th lineman on numerous occasions...and it helped.  Now that has been abandoned in favor of Hawes...but Hawes i not used strictly as a blocker and so the oline is not getting the same impact.  As good as some defenses are in this league, the Texans are a step above with their players and scheme.   To trust 5 men to protect Josh in that game, with no outlet receivers was unconscionable.  He's lucky Josh wasn't severely injured.

 

I do believe that Brady is looking to move on and he's just going through the motions.  It wouldn't surprise me if he goes back to the college ranks, with so many openings.

I agree, I think he will be a college HC next season.

[BCAS Baritone]

On 11/25/2025 at 5:12 PM, Big Turk said:

I mean doesn't hurt to see what he has left I guess. Hasn't played a lot so he should have fresh legs.

He's taken 422 snaps this year with the Saints.  (Olave leads Saints WR with 602 snaps).

 

Khalil Shakir leads the Bills with 436 snaps taken.

 

Cooks main role has been to run clear out routes for the other players (mainly Olave and Shaheed).  He's done that very well, and gives full effort, unlike some guys when they know that they aren't the primary read on a play.  He's also been playing on a team with a noodle arm QB.  A safety has to give him at least some respect - if you just ignore him Josh will find him no matter how far down the field.

 

I think people will be very surprised how much difference he makes to the offense.  I wouldn't start him on my fantasy team because I don't think he'll catch a ton of passes, but the offense as a whole should look better when he is on the field.  

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

7 minutes ago, BCAS Baritone said:

He's taken 422 snaps this year with the Saints.  (Olave leads Saints WR with 602 snaps).

 

Khalil Shakir leads the Bills with 436 snaps taken.

 

Cooks main role has been to run clear out routes for the other players (mainly Olave and Shaheed).  He's done that very well, and gives full effort, unlike some guys when they know that they aren't the primary read on a play.  He's also been playing on a team with a noodle arm QB.  A safety has to give him at least some respect - if you just ignore him Josh will find him no matter how far down the field.

 

I think people will be very surprised how much difference he makes to the offense.  I wouldn't start him on my fantasy team because I don't think he'll catch a ton of passes, but the offense as a whole should look better when he is on the field.  

I feel kinda bad for cooks…he’ll be highly motivated at least.  Had a minor knee procedure last year that got infected then Dak was out when he came back and the league kinda just forgot about him. Obviously not at his prime anymore but I really do think he can still play 

 

I think he’s a tier above your classic bargain bin type mecole hardman level pickup 

Edited 3 hours ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[BCAS Baritone]

8 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

there's a somewhat decent chance he can at least clear gaps for other WR's  which he was doing quite a lot of for Olave and Shaheed 

 

 

 

When Harmon posted those tweets, he knew that Cooks was leaving, but didn't know where he would end up.  I suspect he will be at least mildly enthusiastic that he ended up in Buffalo.  If all he does for us is give us well executed clear out routes (i.e. "love of the game routes" or team-friendly routes, that will be a big win for us.  Elijah Moore should have been able to do that role, but he obviously was not successful at that.

[DapperCam]

For some reason this signing reminds me a lot of Emmanuel Sanders, who was decent in his short stint here.

[Generic_Bills_Fan]

29 minutes ago, BCAS Baritone said:

When Harmon posted those tweets, he knew that Cooks was leaving, but didn't know where he would end up.  I suspect he will be at least mildly enthusiastic that he ended up in Buffalo.  If all he does for us is give us well executed clear out routes (i.e. "love of the game routes" or team-friendly routes, that will be a big win for us.  Elijah Moore should have been able to do that role, but he obviously was not successful at that.

I’d imagine he’ll get right to work doing that without needing much prep time but I really hope we give him more opportunities eventually.. the dude took a pay cut to leave NO I think he’s gotta have a chip on his shoulder.  
 

Hopium is he thinks he can win against the coverages the bills have been seeing and kinda forced his way here to revitalize his career a bit 😂. That shady attempt the saints made at fiddling with his guaranteed money for 2026 seems like he had a team in mind and only wanted to take a pay cut if he could end up there in free agency.  Could definitely be wishful thinking but I love a good conspiracy theory haha 

Edited 3 hours ago by Generic_Bills_Fan

[Scott7975]

9 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

He has had the most time to throw in his career this year.

Not last week he didn’t. 

[JaCrispy]

On 11/25/2025 at 9:33 PM, dcinmuncie said:

For a jet sweep?

or a wr screen? 
 

that’s all Brady would use him for 

Brady is out next season