Brandin Cooks had his worst year as a pro at arguably the worst possible time.
In 2024, Cooks missed seven games and only started in nine. He wound up with just 26 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns in 2024.
Which made voiding his contract and its $4 million almost a dead certainty.
The Dallas Cowboys will have that $4 million as a dead cap hit, and it seems unlikely they’d bring Cooks back in 2025 even at a cheaper salary.
He’ll turn 32 years old in late September and be playing in his 12th season this fall. He’s also clearly declining since his back-to-back thousand-yard seasons for the Texans in 2020-2021.
- Year Rec-Yards-TDs
- 2022 57-699-3
- 2023 54-657-8
- 2024 26-259-3
In addition to the combination of age and declining production, Cooks’ role will likely be taken over by KaVontae Turpin.
Three years younger, Turpin will be a restricted free agent next month. Given his value as a returner, look for Dallas to keep him on the roster and for less than the $4 million Cooks was on the books for 2025.
Turpin had a punt return and a kickoff return for a touchdown in 2024.
The Washington Commanders are probably still having nightmares about his 99-yard return in that 34-26 loss in November.
In addition to scoring his first career return touchdowns, Turpin took advantage of Cooks’ absence and had a solid year as a receiver.
In 2023, Turpin had 12 catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns. He added 110 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
Last year, Turpin hauled in 31 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns with 92 more yards on 16 carries.
Cooks clearly became expendable as Turpin rose to occasion in 2024.
Roster Review 2025: Brandin Cooks/KaVontae Turpin. This is Part 10 of a series. Click here for a list of all related articles.
Outlook For 2025
Cooks will likely be playing for his sixth NFL team, unless he returns to the Patriots, Rams, Saints, or Texans, this fall.
He could be a useful WR4. But his days as a starter are probably behind him.
For Turpin, on the other hand, the future looks bright.
He’s coming off a Pro Bowl season, as a returner, and seems to be blossoming as a receiver as well.
It also doesn’t hurt that, after CeeDee Lamb, the depth chart at wide receiver is wide open. In all likelihood, Turpin will be in the slot.
The real question will be who starts opposite Lamb.
Turpin isn’t built for that position.
But his speed should help open up things for Lamb, especially if Dallas upgrades their roster in the draft or in free agency.
Especially if the Cowboys find a solid WR2. Or, if either Jalen Tolbert or Jalen Brooks can claim the spot and excel.
Tolbert had 600 receiving yards in his third season.
Brooks will be playing his third year this fall. That third year is usually when most receivers have either made it, or they move on.
Long-Term Outlook
These two receivers are clearly on opposite arcs.
At best, Cooks has about two, maybe even three, seasons left in the tank. That assumes that he will stay healthy.
Turpin is clearly on an upward arc.
His special teams skills will keep him on the roster.
If he continues to blossom as a receiver, and becomes a threat opposing defenses have to take into consideration, then the sky’s the limit.
As with many of the players currently on the Cowboys’ roster in 2025, Turpin’s success will depend on the front office and the coaching staff.
The front office needs to find the right combination of solid players to fill the roster instead of praying to hit on bargain-basement free agents.
The coaches will need to devise schemes to maximize Turpin’s skills. If this happens, Turpin is on track for a great career.
If not, he’ll join a lot of other former players in Dallas that never reached their full potential.