New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints: Where To Trade Brandin Cooks

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:19 p.m. ET

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Nov 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi

It’s time somebody gave GM Mickey Loomis some serious credit. The man did a tremendous job reloading the New Orleans Saints offense.

For the first time it a couple years Drew Brees has a litany of weapons at his disposal and the team is putting up yards and points in bunches. So far this year the team is averaging 434.1 yards (1st) and 30.4 points (2nd) in the NFL. One can imagine they’d be one of the best teams in the league if they had any kind of defense they could rely on to get stops or turnovers.

Be that as it may, there is one lingering question that will have to be answered at some point. What will the team do with wide receiver Brandin Cooks. It seems like the former 1st round pick has lost traction on the depth chart after having such a strong 2015 season. Others on the roster have begun eating up targets, and it’s leaving him frustrated. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes this has led to the team exploring possible trade avenues.

“Cooks’ frustration with his role in the offense led some to wonder if this is the best system for his talents, something the Saints likely will explore in the offseason.

Expect trade talks centered around Cooks leading up to the free-agency window, with the speedster no doubt set to draw interest.

This could be similar to what New Orleans did with Jimmy Graham. There are only so many balls to go around. He’s a vertical threat unused in that way, and the Saints might decide he’s more valuable in a trade than on their team.”

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The Saints weren’t afraid to pull the trigger on Graham so there is no reason to think Cooks is off-limits. It’s just a matter of figuring out where he could go. Which teams will likely try to make a push for him next spring. Here are a few to keep an eye on.

Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey reacts during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans

Usually when determining a trade destination it’s best to pinpoint teams that can afford the price and have the need. The Tennessee Titans will go into 2017 with two picks in each of the first three rounds of the draft. So they have plenty of ammunition to spend on acquiring playmakers. While they do have some nice pieces at wide receiver for Marcus Mariota, the reality is they don’t have legitimate deep threat.

Cooks would bring that critical element to their scheme, opening up the field for others like Rishard Matthews, Tajae Sharpe and tight end Delanie Walker. He could also be potentially devastating off play action thanks to their power running game led by Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry. It really is as easy as picking up the phone. Tennessee could flip a 2nd and 3rd round choices in the deal and still have four picks in the first three rounds.

Nov 20, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson watches pregame warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles

One lesson that was learned this year? It’s to never, ever count out Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman from making a deal. He has zero fear when it comes to making trades if he thinks it will help the team win. Word is the Eagles might plan to make a run at reaquiring wide receiver Desean Jackson in free agency next year. It’s no secret that this team is dead set on finding more weapons for Carson Wentz, who does not have enough.

Signing Jackson and then trading for Cooks would be a potential coup for Philadelphia. That could give them two of the best deep threats in the league with the bigger Jordan Matthews as their possession guy and tight end Zach Ertz back healthy. Defenses wouldn’t like facing that sort of lineup. To say nothing of the ageless Darren Sproles coming out of the backfield. The Eagles would become very interesting in a hurry.

Nov 27, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on prior to the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots

Something interesting to keep in mind here. The New England Patriots aren’t shy about making trades for potential playmakers who might be frustrated elsewhere. Ask Randy Moss. Then there is the lingering fact that their offense, while still effective is rather pedestrian at wide receiver outside of Julian Edelman. Now throw in Rob Gronkowski suffering a serious back problem and this team may need to think about reshaping their offense.

On the flip side they may have something the Saints want. An heir apparent to Drew Brees. Word is New Orleans really likes Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and have since he was drafted in 2014. New England could possibly acquire Cooks with all that speed and athleticism for Tom Brady by sending Garoppolo and a mid round pick in the deal. Sean Payton might then finally have that bridge QB to the next window of opportunity.

Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians looks as his team plays the Minnesota Vikings in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career. Outside of him the Arizona Cardinals have serious questions at wide receiver. Michael Floyd hasn’t turned into the heir apparent they hoped for and will be a free agent. John Brown, their current vertical threat has really struggled to stay healthy. Never mind the fact Carson Palmer may be on his last legs at quarterback. This team needs option at wide receiver.

GM John Keim has shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves when the situation calls for it. One thing that everybody knows about head coach Bruce Arians is he loves to chuck the ball down the field. Deep strikes are a big part of his offense. Cooks would be a great fit in that regard and finally give the team somebody they can build with moving forward. This of course assuming they’re able to solve the quarterback problem.

Nov 27, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks

Why wouldn’t they be in the mix? The Seattle Seahawks were the ones who traded for Jimmy Graham and few teams covet speed at the wide receiver position like they do. It’s evident in the players they’ve drafted like Paul Richardson and Tyler Lockett. Their goal is to find somebody like an Antonio Brown who can mix speed with an ability to get open, allowing Russell Wilson to take full advantage of that powerful right arm.

Cooks has already shown he can do that. Given this team is smack in the middle of their Super Bowl window, they can afford to be aggressive on such moves. Besides they may have some options on the defensive side of the ball that may sweeten the deal from the Saints’ perspective given their glaring need for help. It could be a mutually beneficial venture just like the Graham trade was.

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