Why is Brandin Cooks already a locker room favorite? Bill's Khalil Shakir reveals all

Adam Schultz

Why is Brandin Cooks already a locker room favorite? Bill's Khalil Shakir reveals all image

Brandin Cooks has only been a member of the Buffalo Bills for a little over a week, but he's already making his presence felt.

Josh Allen, Joe Brady, and the offense have marveled at how quickly Cooks has not only picked up the playbook, but then executed it on game day in the 26-7 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers that saw the receiver haul in a 13-yard reception on third down on the first offensive drive of the game.

So, Cooks has hit the ground running in Buffalo, and it isn't only Allen and Brady that have been impressed by what Brandin has done.

Fellow receiver Khalil Shakir is as well.

“He's awesome, his vibe is amazing,” Shakir said. “The way he pays attention to the little details, he's just a fast, quick, twitchy receiver. I think just everything that he does, he's one of those guys that they go out there and play, and you just want to watch them and see what they do, every time he steps on the field."

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Cooks helping receiver room

I mentioned last week that Cooks coming to the Bills receiver room would help Keon Coleman, who has struggled with consistency off the field, as Brandin has a track record of helping young receivers not only stay on the correct path, but also showing them how to as well.

And as it turns out, it isn't just the young receivers he's helping, but the veteran ones, too.

"If I'm not out there with him, my eyes are glued to him and how he plays the game and picking his brain, too, and just asking him how he sees things, how he watches film,” Shakir added.

So, while many wanted a genuine No. 1 weapon for Allen, maybe a savvy veteran who can help raise the floor of the receiver room is the next best thing.

Cooks has come to Buffalo and has already made a huge impact in a little over a week, and who knows, maybe he might be the lightning rod for the passing game to heat up down the stretch.

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Contributing Writer