Brandon Aiyuk or Brandin Cooks: Who is a better fantasy pick?

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers might play a bigger part in the offensive unit in this upcoming game since Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings are still recovering from hamstring ailments. Both were absent from practice on Thursday, casting questions about their availability for Sunday.

Aiyuk is having a good run. He has had 22 targets over the last two weeks, hauling 15 catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns. In a matchup versus an above-average Los Angeles Rams defensive line in Week 8, Aiyuk should start as a WR2.

Brandin Cooks, a wide receiver for the Houston Texans, is considered doubtful for this weekend against the Tennessee Titans due to a wrist injury. Although he participated in a full practice before being added to the injury list on Friday, Brandon Aiyuk is a safer fantasy pick, at least for week 8.

A player appearing on the week's final injury report is seldom a positive sign.

Brandin Cooks' stats and fantasy prediction

Houston's offense has not picked up, and because of that, Brandin Cooks' statistics have suffered. In three of his last four matchups, he has accumulated fewer than 50 yards. His targets have decreased over the weeks, hitting a season-low of five in the last game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Cooks' performance has been dismal. He has only reached the double-digit mark once this year. But if there was ever a game to try him, this is it.

The Titans, Brandin Cooks' opponent in Week 8, hand out a staggering 43.6 PPR fantasy points per game, the second-highest number of points to wide receivers.

Outside of two WR2 weeks, Cooks has not demonstrated that he is "startable." He has shown that he is not a reliable weekly fantasy starter.

Cooks is still a flex alternative, but his ceiling seems very low.

Cooks has accumulated 281 yards and a touchdown this season on 28 receptions on 47 targets.

Brandon Aiyuk's stats and fantasy prediction

In a crucial NFC West showdown this week, the San Francisco 49ers have a plethora of weapons that the Los Angeles Rams defensive unit must prepare for. As a fantasy WR3, Brandon Aiyuk should be traded since he has recorded 15 receptions on 22 targets for 165 yards and two scores in his last two matchups. The Rams are 23rd in the league regarding FFPG allowed to WRs, so Aiyuk should have plenty of opportunities to be a playmaker.

Last week, Brandon Aiyuk played well against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching seven passes for 82 yards. After scoring twice the week before, he could not reach the end zone, but he has now had two games in succession with at least 11 targets and 82 yards.

The 49ers should be able to take advantage of the Rams' coverage issues. However, it's difficult to predict whether the play will benefit the pass-catchers because both sides have been offensively a little unpredictable. Aiyuk is improving and hasn't yet had a game this campaign with less than five fantasy points.