Brandin Cooks has not met Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, but from he has seen from the two-time Pro Bowler on film and in virtual meetings, he knows enough.
“He’s a tough guy and a warrior,” Cooks told NFL Network’s James Palmer. “No matter what is going on, as long as the play is alive, he’s never going to stop.”
Anyone watching Watson’s highlights could come away with that impression. After all, the former 2017 first-round pick from Clemson threw a game-winning touchdown after getting kicked in the eye to beat the Oakland Raiders 27-24 in Week 8 last year.
CE TOUCHDOWN 🔥🔥🔥
WATSON ➡️ FELLS 💪💪💪#OAKvsHOU #WeAreTexans #NFL100 pic.twitter.com/Qlyj7ZrSKt
— HOUSTON TEXANS FRANCE (@TexansFR) October 27, 2019
However, it is what Cooks has seen in the video conferencing, part of the NFL’s virtual offseason, that has really made an impression.
“What I’ve felt right off the bat, is this guy is smart,” said Cooks. “Hearing the questions that coach asks him in these meetings and how quick he’s able to just fire off the answers. It’s really impressive.”
Cooks, who played with Drew Brees in New Orleans from 2014-16 and then Tom Brady in New England in 2017, has seen just one younger quarterback by comparison: Jared Goff with the Los Angeles Rams from 2018-19. Watson has demonstrated a maturity in understanding the offense that some younger signal callers just don’t get.
Said Cooks: “You think, as a young guy, he would struggle with some of that. But I got to tell you, he’s right on the money every single time with questions being asked. That says a lot, especially at the quarterback position.”
Even though some fans and the pundits are not expecting the Texans offense to be as dynamic as it was in years past with three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, Watson and the rest of the offense are determined to take the next step and get Houston over the hump after their 2019 season ended 51-31 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round.