Could the Saints consider trading Brandin Cooks? Both Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and Adam Schefter of ESPN say that New Orleans could explore such a move this offseason. For what it’s worth, Saints coach Sean Payton says that’s not the case. 
“That’s garbage. It’s a false report,” Payton said (Twitter links via Nick Underhill of The Advocate). “It’s an agent picking up the phone and calling a reporter.”
Meanwhile, Cooks himself denies making a trade demand or doing anything of that nature. Still, Cooks has been vocal about his inconsistent targets as of late and has been voicing frustration about his role in the offense. Payton and Cooks both say that the trade talk is baseless, but it’s fair to wonder if Cooks is frustrated enough to want out.
Reportedly, the idea of a Cooks trade isn’t new. League sources told Schefter that a trade between the Saints and Patriots was brewing earlier this season that would have shipped Cooks to New England in exchange for linebacker Jamie Collins. Of course, that deal didn’t go down and Collins wound up being sent to the Browns instead.
So far this year, Cooks has 58 catches for 809 yards and six touchdowns. That means he is on pace for roughly 78 catches and 1,079 yards, which isn’t too far behind his numbers from last season. But, after seeing five targets in Week 10 against the Broncos and zero targets in Week 12 against the Rams, Cooks isn’t completely satisfied with his role. Someone might want to let Cooks know that the target volume typically runs hot and cold in a Drew Brees offense.