Courtland Sutton vs Brandin Cooks: Who should I start in fantasy football Week 1?

Week 1 of the NFL is here, and it means plenty of prime fantasy matchups. Whether it be passers, scorers, or even stoppers, fantasy football gives participants plenty of opportunities to compare players and create their dream roster out of it.

The two players in this comparison, Brandin Cooks and Courtland Sutton cannot be any more different from each other. Sutton has been playing for a single team, the Denver Broncos, while Cooks is tied as being the most traded player in the league.

But who is the better fantasy starter between them?

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Courtland Sutton's Fantasy Outlook: Is he a good pick in 2023?

Starting with Courtland Sutton, he and the Broncos as a whole struggled mightily as they adjusted to life with Russell Wilson under center. Nathaniel Hackett's coaching style did not certainly help, as he committed multiple blunders before being fired with a few games remaining.

Also read: Courtland Sutton Fantasy Outlook

But with Sean Payton at the helm now, Sutton looks primed for a resurgence. He currently hovers at WR42 and 100th player overall.

Brandin Cooks' Fantasy Outlook: Is he a good pick in 2023?

Brandin Cooks, meanwhile, struggled to carry the Houston Texans as they continued their decline in the wake of the departures of Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins.

After the season, the Texans decided to start anew under head coach DeMeco Ryans, and Cooks was traded to the in-state Dallas Cowboys.

There, he will join a loaded passing corps that includes CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. He currently sits at WR40 and 96th player overall.

Also read: Brandin Cooks Fantasy Outlook

If you want to get the best value out of Brandin Cooks, Courtland Sutton, and others, use the fantasy football trade analyzer now.

Whom should you start between Courtland Sutton and Brandin Cooks?

A comparison of Courtland Sutton's and Brandin Cooks' fantasy stats

Sportskeeda's Start/Sit optimizer has Courtland Sutton winning this head-to-head over Brandin Cooks by 10.8 points.

However, there is a factor behind that: Sutton is a primary option for the Denver Broncos. This means he will have more targets, meaning more receptions and receiving yards. However, Cooks has a slight edge in touchdowns and rushing yardage, making him a somewhat more versatile option.

Whichever receiver is chosen, however, it all depends on the quarterback's feeding them the ball in the end.

About the author

Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda who holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Master’s degree in Journalism. He has over seven years of working experience and has also covered MMA with FanSided, wrestling with The Sportster, and automobiles with Hot Cars.

Andre follows the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders, mostly because he likes their colors. His favorite position is tight end, and players like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce have always drawn Andre's attention when watching a game. Bill Belichick is his favorite coach, and his all-time favorite Super Bowl is the XLII edition, when the underdog New York Giants upset the then-undefeated New England Patriots.

If he can change one moment in NFL history, it will be from the NFC Championship Game in January 2019. In that game, a highly controversial no-call cost the Saints what would have been Drew Brees' second Super Bowl visit, where he would have faced Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Andre is always on the lookout for fresh perspectives in a story and ensures complete factual accuracy by double-checking all information before using it in his articles. He has an innate understanding of how to present information in an efficient and compelling way.

Outside the writing realm, Andre is a professional licensed teacher. His hobbies include watching UFC, MotoGP, playing the piano, and travelling.

Know More

Dallas Cowboys Fans! Check out the latest Cowboys Schedule and dive into the Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25.

Edited by Andre Castillo