Cooks embraces leadership role with Cowboys

Published 3:06 pm Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Brandin Cooks joined the Dallas Cowboys as the one of the most experienced and fastest players on the roster.

Cooks, in his 10th NFL season, was traded to the Cowboys in March after spending the past three seasons with the Houston Texans. While the 29-year-old wide receiver may not be able to repeat his 4.33 seconds time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in 2014, but he’s still pretty fast in 2023.

“The speed is real,” Cowboys receivers coach Robert Prince, who coached Cooks when the two were with Texans, told espn.com.

How fast is Cooks? Cooks has displayed his speed during offseason training with the Cowboys, prompting talk of who is the fastest Cowboy. Cooks isn’t interested in participating in a race against some of the younger guys.

“Hey, I’m not going to speak for it,” Cooks told espn.com. “We’re not going to find out because I’m not doing any racing.”

Cooks might be more excited about being a leader on the team and helping the younger receivers. The young guys should listen, because Cooks knows what he’s talking about. Cooks has been productive during his career, posting 1,000 or more receiving yards and five touchdown receptions in six of his nine seasons.

Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb said he has been watching Cooks closely and learning.

“I’m a visual learner and I’m just watching him as he runs his routes, the way he preps, the way he practices, how he goes about his business. I love each and every part of it,” Lamb told espn.com. “I mean, he’s a professional to a ‘T’. My coach told me bringing him in will be the best thing for me and it is.”

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said the Cooks’ speed on the field will give the offense new options, but his positive effect on the wide receivers off the field and in the locker room is palpable.

“What Brandin brings us is way more than just speed. Absolutely, it’s really fun to watch him run, whether it’s deep routes, short routes. It really doesn’t matter,” Schottenheimer told espn.com “But what I love is the competitor and the way he’s encouraging that entire room of receivers. It’s been awesome.”