Brandin Cooks
A blazing-fast wide receiver whose consistent 1,000-yard seasons made him a coveted weapon for multiple Super Bowl contenders.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American football player·Birthday: September 25·Millennials
Biography
Brandin Cooks's NFL career is defined by elite speed and remarkable consistency in a league known for volatility. Drafted in the first round out of Oregon State, he immediately became a deep-threat focal point for the New Orleans Saints. But his true signature is his journey; Cooks hasn't just played for teams, he's been acquired by them. The New England Patriots traded for him to supercharge Tom Brady's offense. The Los Rams then sent a first-round pick to make him a centerpiece of their high-flying attack. Each time, Cooks delivered, racking up 1,000-yard receiving seasons with a quiet, professional efficiency. While a Super Bowl ring has eluded him, his ability to instantly integrate into complex systems and stretch defenses vertically has made him one of the most reliably productive receivers of his era, a valued commodity in the passing-game arms race.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Brandin was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Brandin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Brandin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in a season for five different NFL franchises (Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans, Cowboys).
- Earned consensus All-American honors in 2013 after a stellar junior season at Oregon State University.
- Played in two Super Bowls (LII with the Patriots, LIII with the Rams) in consecutive seasons with different teams.
Did You Know?
He ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, highlighting his elite speed.
In high school, he was a state champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in California.
He has the unique distinction of having over 50 receptions in a season for five different teams.
“Speed is a gift, but the work you put in is what makes it a weapon.”
