Jaylen Waddle vs. Brandin Cooks: Which Wide Receiver is Set for a Better Sunday?

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is questionable for Sunday, if he doesn’t suit up, then the Dolphins will have Jacoby Brissett under center against the Houston Texans. 

When Brissett was in for Tagovailoa, Waddle saw plenty of targets, specifically short yardage targets. Waddle caught 12 of 13 targets for only 58 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 26. 

The Texans will have Tyrod Taylor back in Week 9, starting for the first time since Week 2. In his limited playing time, Taylor completed 31 of 44 passes (70.5%) for 416 yards and three touchdowns. 

Brandin Cooks hooked up with Taylor five times on seven targets for 132 receiving yards in Taylor’s lone full game in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  

Which receiver will have a better matchup on Sunday: Waddle or Cooks?

WynnBET Sportsbook has set Waddle’s receiving yards prop at 64.5 yards (Over: -125/Under: -115) and Cooks’ receiving yards prop at 68.5 yards (Over: -125/Under: -115). 

Houston is 18th in the NFL in passing defense, allowing 253.2 passing yards per game, while Miami is 31st, allowing 291.1. No matter who is under center for either team, there should be some success found in the passing game. 

It’s just that the Texans rushing defense has been so bad, that Myles Gaskin’s name may be called more often on Sunday. Houston is allowing 148.1 rushing yards per game, so there may be a lot of rushing plays called by Brian Flores. This game plan would kill the clock and potential targets for Waddle.

Here is a quick look at how Waddle and Cooks have performed this season.

Jaylen Waddle vs. Brandin Cooks Stat Comparison

Targets

• Waddle: 69
• Cooks: 70

Receptions

• Waddle: 48
• Cooks: 51

Receiving Yards 

• Waddle: 413
• Cooks: 585

Receiving Touchdowns

• Waddle: 3
• Cooks: 2

WynnBET Sportsbook has set both Waddle and Cooks at 5.5 receptions, but while the under is favored on both props, Waddle is favored at -115 to Cooks -105 to go over on their catches props.

Recent history shows that Cooks has been a valuable receiver for the Texans, mostly with Davis Mills under center, but has played well with Taylor too. If the Dolphins defensive secondary continues to get shredded by opposing quarterbacks, it would appear that Cooks is set to have a bigger Sunday than Waddle.