Brandin Cooks - Pro Football Rumors

Eagles Out On Brandin Cooks; Pats, Titans In

March 9th, 2017 at 11:09am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints are expected to trade Brandin Cooks by the end of the day, and the Patriots and Titans both remain in contention for the wide receiver, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The Eagles aren’t mentioned in Rapoport’s report, and are presumably out on Cooks after signing Torrey Smith earlier today.

The Patriots are thought to be mulling a trade of cornerback Malcolm Butler for Cooks, although the Saints may want even more. A package that includes a defensive contributor plus a draft pick is thought to be the asking price for Cooks. New England has also previously offered its first-round pick (No. 32) for Cooks, but the offer was reportedly rebuffed. At one point, the Titans were thought to be in the lead for Cooks, but it’s unclear exactly what they offered.

In 2016, Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards-per-reception average of 15.0 was a career high and his 66.7% catch rate was a slight step up from his 2015 showing.

Pats To Trade Butler To Saints For Cooks?

March 9th, 2017 at 9:20am CST by Zachary Links

The Patriots are considering trading cornerback Malcolm Butler to the Saints for Brandin Cooks, sources tell Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Patriots have been in pursuit of Cooks for the last week or so, reportedly offering their No. 32 overall pick for Cooks in a race alongside the Eagles and Titans. New Orleans has received several offers of second-round picks for the swift pass-catcher.

Earlier today, the Patriots shocked the football world by signing cornerback Stephon Gilmore in free agency. That move may give them the freedom to trade Butler, a restricted free agent. Butler was tagged with the first-round tender this week. It remains to be seen how unrestricted free agent Logan Ryan factors into all of this, but the early word was that Ryan would probably wind up elsewhere with Gilmore in the fold.

This potential swap would give the Saints a true difference-maker on defense, something they have been seeking in Cooks talks. The Saints were also in search of significant draft compensation (namely, a first-round pick in this year’s draft), and it remains to be seen whether there could also be picks coming in their direction. The Saints still want a quality defensive starter, plus draft picks over the next two years, sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Butler has seen his star rise steadily after emerging via one of the most impactful plays in NFL history – his goal-line interception of Russell Wilson in Super Bowl XLIX. He became a key Patriots starter in 2015 once the team moved on from Darrelle Revis and in ’16, Butler finished as Pro Football Focus’ No. 7 overall corner. The Pats plan to use a first-round tender on the fourth-year corner, who would potentially exceed New England’s price range in 2018 if he puts the team in a franchise tag-or-free agency decision.

He of back-to-back 1,100-yard receiving seasons, Cooks would bring the kind of high-end young wideout the Patriots have not employed in years. While the team has gotten by with perceived lesser talents just fine, adding the 23-year-old Cooks would strengthen this offense in Tom Brady‘s final years. New England can no longer count on Rob Gronkowski to be healthy and will lose Martellus Bennett to free agency. Julian Edelman will also be 31 in 2017, putting the team in the market for a younger pass-catcher. Cooks would come with a modest $1.56MM price tag in 2017, but after a fifth-year option season at approximately $8.5MM, could enter eight-figure-per-year territory on his next contract as the cap continues to skyrocket.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Latest On Brandin Cooks Trade Talks

March 8th, 2017 at 9:02am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are still in discussions with the Eagles, Titans, and Patriots regarding a potential Brandin Cooks deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The Saints are looking for draft picks or a front seven player that can pressure opposing quarterbacks, Rapoport adds.

Saints head coach Sean Payton has publicly denied that the team is shopping Cooks, but he did stress that the club is willing to listen to any offer on any player. In short, he wants rival clubs to know that he will not just give away the star wide receiver, but he can be had for the right price. Cooks offers more talent and potential than any wide receiver on this year’s open market and he’s under control at a very team friendly rate for the next two years, so the Patriots, Eagles, and Titans have not been warded off by the Saints’ demands.

The Titans are said to have a leg up on the Patriots and Eagles in the Cooks chase. The Patriots are said to be dangling their No. 32 overall pick in a package for Cooks, so that appears to be the floor for any return on the 23-year-old. However, the Titans are armed with the Nos. 5 and 18 overall picks, so they can pretty much top any offer in terms of draft compensation. The Eagles have the No. 14 overall selection and they could perhaps sweeten the pot with linebacker Mychal Kendricks.

Titans Now In Lead For Brandin Cooks?

March 6th, 2017 at 12:01pm CST by Sam Robinson

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.

Patriots Offer 32nd Pick For Brandin Cooks

March 4th, 2017 at 6:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

Brandin Cooks has drawn a host of offers, but the Saints are aiming high if they’re to part with the 23-year-old wide receiver. Most notably, the Patriots have entered the equation. The defending Super Bowl champions offered their first-round pick (No. 32 overall) as part of a package for Cooks, NOLA.com’s Josh Katzenstein reports. But the reporter adds the Saints are targeting a mid-first-round selection for Cooks if they are to deal him.

Several other teams have made overtures to the Saints for Cooks, offering second-round picks for the fourth-year receiver, but the team is holding out. The Titans and Eagles are among the interested teams. Katzenstein notes at least five teams have contacted the Saints about Cooks. One of the unnamed franchises is hoping to give the Saints some defensive help to acquire the elusive wideout.

New Orleans is not operating as if it has to deal the wideout, though. He’s signed through 2017 and will be available on his rookie contract through ’18, provided the Saints or the team to which he’s traded predictably picks up his fifth-year option. Katzenstein notes Cooks’ agents could come into play in this deal. Ryan and Bruce Tollner represent the wideout. They are also the agents for Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota, helping to explain the two initial suitors becoming known this week.

Bill Belichick offered praise for the then-second-year wideout in 2015, expressing relief his team doesn’t have to face Cooks annually.

The Eagles have had their eye on Cooks dating back to the 2014 draft, and Philly attempted to trade for him before the 2016 trade deadline. The Eagles hold the No. 14 pick in the first round after winning a Friday coin flip vs. the Colts, while the second of the Titans’ two first-rounders is the No. 18 pick. Those would fall within the realm of a mid-first-round selection. The Titans and Saints have already exchanged proposals regarding a potential deal, one that would have to be “real significant” if New Orleans is to part with its current top receiver.

The Saints now have both Willie Snead and Michael Thomas as emerging playmakers, with Thomas breaking out down the stretch of his rookie slate. But Cooks has compiled two 1,100-yard seasons and has scored 17 touchdowns in those campaigns. And he’s under contract in 2017 for just $1.56MM. A 2018 fifth-year option would stand to be worth around $8.5MM.

Obviously not averse to trading skill-position threats, the Saints have shipped out Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills in the past three years.

Extra Points: Cooks, Ross, Davis, Cousins

March 4th, 2017 at 12:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles have been connected to Brandin Cooks for some time. Eyeing the eventual Saints wide receiver in 2014 draft, Philadelphia tried to trade for the speedster before the deadline last year, Jeff McLane of Philly.com reports. Both the Eagles and Titans have been connected to the fourth-year wideout, who will have two more years left on his rookie contract after his fifth-year option is picked up. The Eagles were also connected to 49ers wideout Torrey Smith prior to the 2016 trade deadline. They did not end up making a trade, but wide receiver looms at or near the top of Philly’s wish list going into the 2017 offseason.

Here’s more from around the league.

Washington wideout prospect John Ross set NFL Twitter ablaze today by running a 4.22-second 40-yard dash. That time is now official, Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star tweets. The former Huskies pass-catcher ascends to the top of the Combine 40 hierarchy. Chris Johnson‘s 4.24-second clocking in 2008 previously resided atop this list. Ross, though, was limping after the historic sprint and entered the Combine with a shoulder malady that will be addressed soon. Ross has a surgery scheduled for March 14 — three days after Washington’s pro day — according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). Cole adds that Ross is expected to be ready to start his rookie season on time.
One NFL wide receivers coach likened the 5-foot-11 wideout to “a clean Tyreek Hill,” via Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (on Twitter). Ross was already considered one of the top receiver prospects in this draft, with ESPN.com’s Todd McShay (Insider link) ranking him behind only Mike Williams and Corey Davis.
Davis expects to be ready to play by minicamp, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. The Western Michigan talent isn’t participating at the Combine due to ankle surgery. He won’t be ready to return to action by Western Michigan’s pro day.
Kirk Cousins has yet to sign his Redskins franchise tender after doing so immediately last year upon being tagged, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports. Florio offers that Cousins’ wait may be in hopes of the team rescinding the tag, a la Josh Norman last year. Cousins said in January he’d sign the tag, worth $23.94MM, and Florio notes that not happening after four days shows something isn’t right. Of course, the Cousins negotiations stand to be complex this offseason, and it’s still incredibly early in this process. No other tagged performer as signed his tender yet.

Saints Want First-Round Pick For Cooks

March 3rd, 2017 at 9:40am CST by Zachary Links

Teams are calling on Brandin Cooks, but it will cost quite a bit to pry him away from the Saints. New Orleans wants a first-round pick in exchange for the explosive wide receiver, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

On Thursday, we learned that the Titans and Eagles are both pursuing a Cooks deal. Reportedly, there are two scenarios floating around with regards to a potential Titans deal. One would have the Titans swap their No. 5 overall selection with the Saints’ No. 11 pick with one or two additional picks going to New Orleans. Alternatively, the Titans could send their No. 18 overall pick to the Saints in a simpler deal. Head coach Sean Payton said that it would take something “real significant” for the team to part ways with the 23-year-old (24 in September) and it doesn’t sound like he was kidding.

Cooks currently has a very team-friendly contract, but he will push for a hefty contract extension wherever he goes, Rapoport tweets. Cooks has a modest base salary of $1.56MM for 2017 with a fifth-year option worth $8.5MM for 2018. However, the wide receiver is going to want a deal that puts him near the top of his position.

On all fronts, acquiring Cooks would be costly for any interested team. Alshon Jeffery and Kenny Stills would also cost a ton, but teams won’t have to sacrifice a first-round choice for either player.

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Extra Points: Saints, Jags, 49ers, Falcons

March 2nd, 2017 at 10:18pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks is drawing trade interest from multiple teams, but it would take something “real significant” for New Orleans to deal the 23-year-old, head coach Sean Payton told the team’s website (video link). Still, Payton didn’t deny that talks have taken place and he says the Saints are “always listening,” particularly when there are opportunities to improve their defense.

Titans, Eagles Talking Brandin Cooks Trade

March 2nd, 2017 at 11:12am CST by Zachary Links

Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks is the object of trade talks and the Titans and Eagles are two of the interested suitors, league sources tell Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The Titans appear to be the more likely destination for him, one source says (Twitter link), but two other sources have conflicting opinions on the matter (link).

Back in December, we first heard that the Saints could explore a Cooks deal. Now, on the eve of free agency, that seems to be coming to fruition. Both the Titans and Eagles are known to be looking for wide receivers and it’s little surprise that both teams are also in the mix for Alshon Jeffery. If one of the two clubs nabs Cooks via trade, that could help facilitate a Jeffery signing for the other team.

One scenario, Mortensen writes, would be for the the Titans to send their No. 18 overall pick to New Orleans for Cooks in a one-for-one swap. Another scenario, sources say, has the Titans swapping the No. 5 overall selection with the Saints’ No. 11 pick for Cooks, perhaps with another pick or two also involved.

At one point last year, Cooks felt his role in the offense was slipping and he was rather vocal about it. Apparently, his declaration that “closed mouths don’t get fed” had some validity. When all was said and done, Cooks finished with 117 targets, just 12 less than he had in 2015.

In 2016, Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards-per-reception average of 15.0 was a career high and his 66.7% catch rate was a slight step up from his 2015 showing.

Although talk of a Cooks deal has been brewing for a while, it’s a bit surprising to hear that the Saints might bail on the talented receiver. After all, he still has two years to go on his current deal at a rather affordable rate. This year, he’ll earn a base salary of $1.56MM. Then, there’s a fifth-year option on him worth about $8.5MM for 2018.

In addition to Cooks, the Saints also have Michael Thomas, Willie Snead, and Brandon Coleman on the depth chart. Thomas, a rising sophomore, could be elevated to the WR1 role, but the Saints would probably need to add another impact wide receiver if they were to trade Cooks.

Saints Could Explore Brandin Cooks Trade

December 4th, 2016 at 12:57pm CST by Rory Parks

Brandin Cooks is one of the most talented young wide receivers in the league, but his role in the Saints’ dynamic offense has diminished a bit this year. He is on pace to receive 30 fewer targets than 2015, and he was not targeted at all in last week’s victory over the Rams. He felt compelled to voice some frustration earlier this week, saying, “closed mouths don’t get fed.”

And yet, the Saints offense continues to thrive, leading some to wonder if the New Orleans system is the best one for Cooks. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says that the Saints are expected to explore trading Cooks this offseason prior to the opening of free agency, and if that happens, Cooks would of course garner significant interest. ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms the report, and adds that league sources believe a Cooks trade was brewing earlier this season, a deal that would have sent the former first-rounder to the Patriots in exchange for Jamie Collins.

The Saints, of course, traded Jimmy Graham and his highly lucrative contract a few seasons ago, and although Cooks is still playing under his rookie deal, he is eligible for a long-term extension at the end of the 2016 campaign. Plus, he is a deep threat who is not being used that way, and it appears as though Willie Snead and Michael Thomas better fit what New Orleans does on offense.

Head coach Sean Payton, however, took exception to the trade rumors, retweeting a reader who suggested that Rapoport was blindly throwing darts and did not do sufficient research to substantiate his report (link via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com).