Texans WR Brandin Cooks is looking forward to the challenge of facing Cardinals DE J.J. Watt

Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks knows how great of a player J.J. Watt is.

Before the Texans released Watt, the future Arizona Cardinals defensive end spent the 2020 season playing with Cooks, who the Texans acquired in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams just before that year’s draft.

Watt didn’t have a meritorious final year in Houston, and his 5.0 sacks through 16 starts suggested a decline in his career. However, Cooks doesn’t see any such loss in effectiveness when watching the tape of No. 99.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead,” Cooks said. “Obviously, he’s still playing at a high level. I’ve got a lot of respect for him and what he’s done in this game. But at the end of the day, he is an opponent now, so we definitely want to beat him.”

The Cardinals are riding a 6-0 record to start the season. In the race for the NFC’s home-field advantage, Arizona wants to tally as many wins as possible and won’t be overlooking the Texans.

Watt has generated 1.0 sack, four tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble for Arizona.

“From the moment that he stepped into this league, and he’s doing it now, been playing it at a high level, one of the best to play the game,” said Cooks. “To be on the opposite side of the ball when we were playing, you just knew teams felt his presence. He’s still showing up and showcasing that. You feel his presence when you’re watching film. We know we’ve got to account for him as best we can.”

The Texans are on a five-game losing streak after their Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Houston is currently slated to pick fourth overall in the 2022 NFL draft.