Cowboys' Brandin Cooks Reacts to ‘5th-Team Problem'

Even if Brandin Cooks has been one of the NFL's most consistent receivers since arriving as the 20th overall pick of the 2014 draft, the stellar yardage he's racked up drastically pales in comparison to the miles he has tallied in that same span.

When Cooks takes the field for the Dallas Cowboys this season ... though that probably won't come in Dallas' preseason opener against Jacksonville on Saturday (4 p.m. CT, KTVT) ... it'll be the fifth helmet he's worn at the NFL level. Considering Cooks' play, featuring four-digit yardage seasons in each of his first four stops, has warranted long-term inclusion, one could potentially diagnose the problem as the receiver himself rather than the lack of a so-called "fit."

Working through his first Dallas training camp following what seems like a steal of a trade with Houston, Cooks addressed the possible conundrum during a radio appearance on KTCK, respecting the Michael Irvins and Drew Pearsons that came before him but remaining proud of the illustrious, if not well-trodden, path he has forged.

"I understand those (thoughts), and it doesn’t bother me because I’m confident and secure in who I am. This is the NFL, right?" Cooks said. "It’s just the game of football. You suit up, and you start in the NFL ... I admire those who have played their whole career for the same team, (but) that’s just not my journey. I continue to push and be the best I can be for that team now.”

Prior to his Dallas entry, Cooks was drafted by the New Orleans Saints and has since repped the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and Houston Texans.

Cowboys fans will likely be willing to forget any potential baggage ... though there's no any indication there's any to ignore ... if Cooks pushes the talented Dallas offense to the next level. 

Seriously, at stop, his employers have raves about his professionalism … and that’s already happened here as well.

Meanwhile. CeeDee Lamb proved more than capable of handling the duties of a top receiver but beyond his 1,359-yard tally, the top receiver returning to Dallas is Michael Gallup at 424. So there is room for on-field help.

Cooks hinted that he always intended for his long and winding road to end up in Dallas, calling his trade to North Texas at 29 "better late than never."

"I’m definitely excited, extremely fortunate to be able to be around a great group of men, great group of coaches," he said. "They welcomed me in with open arms right away, and I’m just excited. I’m ready to get going and play some football."

When that opportunity comes, Cooks will look to settle a personal journey: enough has been made about the Cowboys' lengthy NFC Championship Game appearance drought but Cooks has a reason to take things relatively personally: the Oregon State alum made consecutive runs to the Super Bowl in 2017 (New England) and 2018 (Los Angeles) but was denied a Vince Lombardi Trophy hoist, which was perhaps doubly disappointing when he had 120 yards in Super Bowl LIII but lost to his former Patriot employers.

A bit of history also has a chance to make its way into Cooks' grasp: another 1,000-yard season would make him the first in NFL history to accomplish the feat with five different teams. Cooks is more than willing to cross that bridge and bear that title if and when the moment passes.

If the opportunity presents itself, I look to make the plays," Cooks simply declared. "Then we’ll look up at the end of the season and see where we’re at."

COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!