Receivers find new homes

As free agency and the NFL off-season continues, a trio of receivers found new homes this weekend. Let’s look at the fits for fantasy.

Cooks traded to Dallas

For the fourth time in his career, receiver Brandin Cooks was traded. On Sunday, the Houston Texans traded the receiver to the Dallas Cowboys. It makes sense for both teams as Cooks didn’t want to be part of the Texans’ re-build and the Cowboys are in need of more options in the passing game. In return for Cooks, the Texans received a Fifth-Round pick in 2023 and a Sixth-Round pick in 2024.

The Cowboys add a veteran receiver to the passing game. The Cowboys recently released long-time starting running back Ezekiel Elliott and tight end Dalton Schultz isn’t expected to return, leaving the team in need of weapons to go alongside top receiver CeeDee Lamb and receiver Michael Gallup. Cooks has 630 receptions for 8,616 yards and 49 touchdowns for the Saints, Patriots, Rams and Texans. He gives them another weapon on the outside for Dak Prescott.

In terms of fantasy, Lamb is still the receiver I want. He’s a WR1 for me. Cooks and Gallup, who will hopefully be back fully healthy, should be complimentary options. Cooks is in the WR4 range for me, but if he takes off there’s potential for a return on that investment. He’s always a player under-the-radar who has often outproduced his ADP.

Thielen signs with the Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have been hurting at receiver, especially after shipping D.J. Moore to the Bears in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick. The team made a move to add to that group over the weekend, signing veteran Adam Thielen to a three-year deal.

Thielen played nine years for the Vikings, catching 534 passes for 6,682 yards and 55 touchdowns. He’s getting older but he becomes the best receiver on the Panthers’ depth chart, joining a group that includes Terrace Marshall, Jr., Laviska Shenault and Shi Smith, a trio who haven’t produced much in the NFL. For fantasy, Thielen has WR2 potential with his ability to score, but I like him more as a WR3. He should be an asset to whichever young quarterback goes No. 1 overall or veteran Andy Dalton.

Hollins goes to Atlanta

The final wide receiver move over the weekend was Mack Hollins signing with the Atlanta Falcons. Last season Hollins played a crucial role with the Las Vegas Raiders. He caught 57 passes for 690 yards and four touchdowns. In Atlanta, he joins a re-building receiving corps led by second-year receiver Drake London, third-year tight end Kyle Pitts and second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. For fantasy, he is little more than a speculative add, but we’ve seen him produce when given a chance.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.