Report: Saints WR Brandin Cooks drawing trade interest from two teams
Brandin Cooks expressed displeasure with his role in the New Orleans Saints’ offense last season, but the team has been insistent that he’s a big part of its plans going forward. That’s what the Saints have been saying on the record, but reports are suggesting otherwise.
According to ESPN and multiple reports, Cooks is the center of trade discussions in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine with the Titans and Eagles both being suitors.
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Cooks has been a staple of New Orleans’ offense for the past three years, seeing his yardage numbers increase each season. However, this past season, he caught six fewer passes and wasn’t as involved as many believed he would be.
That was partly due to the emergence of rookie Michael Thomas and Willie Snead’s surprising production as the No. 3 receiver. Cooks, who’s an absolute speedster, could be a big weapon for a team like the Titans or Eagles, both of which are starved for playmakers at wide receiver.
Both teams figure to be in the mix for not just Alshon Jeffery but also for the top receivers in this year’s draft – namely Mike Williams and Corey Davis. Adding one of the two and Cooks would give them a huge upgrade at wideout for 2017.
As for Cooks’ salary, it’s a miniscule $1.56 million next season. That makes him extremely tradeable for the teams on each end of the deal. The Saints would only face $1.1 million in dead money, and the acquiring team would receive a playmaker for a tiny cap hit.
