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Spotlight - TE Chris Cooley, Washington Redskins

Posted on 7/13, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Will Grant's Thoughts

The Redskins added a ton of firepower to their offense last season, and it seemed pretty obvious that Cooley's numbers were headed for a fall. Yet despite the fact that the Redskins finished 23rd in passing yards with just 3174, Cooley put up another solid season with 734 yards receiving and six TDS. This put him smack in the middle of the 'second tier' of fantasy tight ends, just four points behind 4th ranked Todd Heap and five points ahead of 7th ranked Jeremy Shockey.

Over the last two seasons, Cooley has started every game for the Redskins, and has averaged 99 targets, 64 receptions, 754 yards and six TDS per season. All this despite the fact that Washington has ranked 22nd and 23rd in passing in 2005 and 2006. For 2007, you can expect more of the same from Cooley.

Cooley creates mismatches with his size and speed. He thrives down the middle of the field, where he can separate from slower LBS and give the QB a nice big safety net if the WR are covered. The Redskins love to use him on 1st and 2nd down, where a 7 or 8 yard reception can set up the running game. If Cooley catches defenses focusing on the run, he can break those into longer gains with his physical skills. The Skins also love to use him in the Red Zone, where defense tend to focus on Portis or Moss.  Even though Washington is a 'run first' type of team, Cooley should still see close to 100 targets again this season.

Last year, Mark Brunell was the starter for the first 10 games of the season. During that stretch, Cooley had just 27 receptions for 323 yards and three TDS. When Jason Campbell took over in week 11, Cooley's numbers took off. This season, Campbell begins the year as the starting QB, and his favorite target can only benefit from this.

However, Cooley is not without his potential downsides. For starters, Campbell has only played in seven games, and could easily falter as a full time starter this season. A QB controversy between Campbell and Brunell will spell disaster for all of the Washington pass catches.

Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts make an excellent one-two punch for the Redskins. Washington ranked 4th in rushing yards last season, and will probably head into this year looking to run the ball again. Both Portis and Betts also catch well out of the backfield, and that could also cut into some of the 'underneath' action that makes Cooley so effective as a TE.

Finally, let's not forget that the Redskins still have a lot of other offensive pass-catching weapons. Santana Moss, Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle-El give Washington one of the best WR trios in the NFC. If Jason Campbell can develop a better rhythm with his WR corps, Cooley's numbers could suffer as well.

Positives

• Consistent top-5 performances over the last two seasons, despite poor passing numbers as a team. He should see 90 or more targets again this season
• Cooley's numbers were better with Jason Campbell at QB, and Campbell should be the starter by the time the preseason ends
• Great size and speed, making him an excellent red zone target, as well as a threat down the middle of the field

Negatives

• The Redskins ranked 4th in rushing yards last season, and a RBBC approach with Portis and Betts will limit the passing game this season
• Betts and Portis are excellent pass-catching backs as well, and they could steal some of the short-range passes that make Cooley so effective
• QB situation is a big question mark, and could self-destruct if Campbell falters in his first season as the starter

Final Thoughts

As TEs go, Chris Cooley is a pretty safe bet. With 95 or more targets over the last two seasons, he is clearly going to see action, no matter how bad the passing game in Washington is. Cooley has good size and speed, creating defensive miss-matches because of their talent at the WR and RB position. Defenses can't focus on Cooley, and he often finds himself lined up against the 4th or 5th best defender on the team. This is what makes him so effective, and gives him the potential for another top-five performance this year. However, the emergence of Ladell Betts in the passing game could limit Cooley's upside, and will probably keep him in that 'second tier' of TEs again for 2007.

Quotations from the Message Board Thread

rzrback77:
I love Chris Cooley's prospects this year. He is very quick in the middle of the field. He is in an offense that utilizes the Tight End frequently. He has never missed a game in his three seasons in the NFL. He has a young QB that he seemed to "connect" with at the end of 06 and most experts are skeptical of his QB's potential effectiveness which may let him slip a little in drafts. He seems to be about TE #8 or so in the ADPs, whereas he has finished as #4 and #5 in the two previous seasons. I think that his numbers rise slightly in 07, rather than dip as some seem to think.

dgreen:
The main question is how many targets Cooley will see. He's averaged 99 targets the last two seasons. TEs have broken 100 targets 19 times the last three seasons and four of those have been Al Saunders' TEs (Gonzalez 3, Cooley 1). Cooley should easily be second on the team in targets behind Moss. Entering the second year of Saunders' offense and a full offseason with Campbell, I wouldn't be surprised if Cooley flirted with 110-120 targets.

shadyridr:
One of the "safest" TE picks out there and you can get him later than most other TE1s. I'm not crazy about his upside. In other words I don't think he has a chance to put up top 3 numbers but I am definitely gonna target him late. EDIT: I didn't realize he was TE#4 & 5 the last 2 years. I guess he does have good upside. I'm def. looking to grab Cooley as my TE.

Chris Cooley Projections