NFL Players Most Likely To Reach 1st Pro Bowl In 2016

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Dec 27, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) gestures after a catch in the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Brandin Cooks (New Orleans Saints)

For the longest time the offense of the New Orleans Saints was summed up in two simple words: Drew Brees. Everything was built around him and he made everybody better. Then for a while it was Jimmy Graham stealing some of the spotlight but he quickly exited stage right to Seattle. In all the 10 years Brees has built his Hall of Fame career, he has never featured an actual Pro Bowl wide receiver. Crazy as that may sound. At last 2016 may end that streak.

Brandin Cooks took a major step in that direction last year. He caught 84 passes for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. A huge increase from his rookie year. No doubt he’s becoming more and more comfortable in the Sean Payton offense. Given the additions of Michael Thomas and Coby Fleener, some of the pressure should be eased on him. That will create slightly wider creases for the speedy receiver to exploit. Weakening arm or not, Brees always finds a way to make big plays. Cooks will be his catalyst.

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