Identified early as one of the suitors in the sudden Brandin Cooks sweepstakes, the Titans may now be out in front of this derby. Tennessee remains in on the Cooks market and could well be leading it, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com reports (on Twitter).
The Titans and Eagles became the first known suitors for the Saints’ No. 1 wide receiver last week, but New Orleans has received several offers for the fourth-year wideout. One of those appears to have come from the Patriots, who are believed to have included their No. 32 overall pick in a package for Cooks. The Saints are aiming for a “real significant” return for Cooks, he of back-to-back 1,100-yard seasons, and have received other offers that include second-round picks. Tennessee holds the Nos. 5 and 18 picks in the first round.
But the Titans have been interested in Cooks since this news broke. The agents for Cooks, Ryan and Bruce Tollner, also represent Marcus Mariota, potentially helping forge a connection to Tennessee. The team does not have a wideout of Cooks’ caliber currently on the roster and is set to see former first-rounder Kendall Wright depart via free agency. Although, Wright ceded his role as Tennessee’s No. 1 years ago. Rishard Matthews led the run-based Titans with 945 air yards last season.
Cooks has one more year, at $1.56MM, left on his rookie contract. But the Saints, or any team that acquires him, would pick up his fifth-year option that stands to be worth around $8.5MM for 2018.
I’d be thrilled were the Titans to pull this off. Maybe the #18 pick and call it done? I’ve seen suggestions of swapping the #5 for NO’s 1st rounder and throwing in a bit more, but I’m not sure what “a bit more” is or if that would even be enough to be the best offer on the table. Either way, if they can get it done then Tennessee has the cap space to extend Cook if he’s willing to stick around.
The reason he wants out of New Orleans is he wants more touches. There aren’t many teams that throw the ball more than the Saints. If that’s truly the reason for all of this, I just don’t see how he could possibly be happy in Tennessee.
He doesn’t want out at all. This is New Orleans making the move to improve defense. This has nothing to do with Cooks. He is one of the most dedicated players in the locker room. This guy is an athlete, not a diva.
Not true. This dude complained about not getting enough targets when the Saints put up 49 points and won by 28 against the Rams. He’s a “me” first player which why the Saints are ok with shopping him. Not to mention he can see the writing on the wall and knows he’s not gonna get extended by New Orleans after the arrival of Michael Thomas. He and his agent are the ones pushing for the trade.
As a die hard Titans fan, I would not be happy with this trade for one of our first picks. I’d rather take Corey Davis with one of the picks and lockup a stud defensive back with the other. Buyer beware for Payton/Brees receivers
Cooks is better right now and can give your team the deep threat they need. Cooks can run every route on the route tree and he excels in all of them. He is expendable because of the emergence of Thomas and Sneed. This offense has thrived before Cooks and will do so if he gets traded. while some receivers have benefited from this system, Cooks is legit. You would be getting a steal with the 18th pick. He was a 20th pick and has had back to back 1100 yards seasons.
I think Tennessee would benefit trading the 18th pick for him. They’d get a really good reciever they drastically need and also with the 5th pick they could go get Marshon Lattimore at corner. They still could sign Alshon Jeffery or Terrelle Pryor and have two good WR targets for Marcus Mariota to throw the pill to for the next 3-5 years. Tennessee’s offense would be VERY good in my opinion.