NFL Trade Rumors: Brandin Cooks Has Two Teams In Pursuit
By Erik Lambert
A few months ago Adam Schefter of ESPN stated that it was possible the New Orleans Saints might trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
The reasoning was he wasn’t happy in the current system, being used primarily as a diversion rather than a featured target. Head coach Sean Payton dismissed the rumor, saying it was ridiculous. For a time things quieted down. Sure enough though the scouting combine arrived and the NFL trade buzz again started to swirl with Cooks right in the middle of it.
Schefter’s ESPN colleague Chris Mortensen threw fuel on the fire when he reported that the Saints were indeed shopping their young receiver, and that two teams were already in hot pursuit.
Saints WR Brandin Cooks is the object of trade talks with the Titans and Eagles identified as two interested suitors, per league sources.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 2, 2017
Titans appear to be most likely suitor over Eagles, per one source, but nothing can be official until March 9, if it happens. @ESPNNFL
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 2, 2017
It’s no surprise that Tennessee and Philadelphia are involved. Both teams are in serious need of a playmaker at the receiver position. Marcus Mariota and Carson Wentz were asked to do too much at times last season. Cooks would give them a legitimate vertical threat who will force defenses to play more cautious. Each has the arm to find him down the field. To say nothing of what his presence will do for others on those offenses.
The tricky part is compensation. No doubt New Orleans is hoping for a sizable package in return. Cooks is coming off a 1,000-yard season and is just 23-years old. His value is very high so it will take something significant to get a trade done. The Titans make more sense because they have two 1st round picks in the upcoming draft, the #5 and #18 selections. They could easily flip one of them to the Saints.
Philadelphia might have to get more creative. One asset in their corner that could help? Inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks. He appeared on his way to stardom a couple years ago but scheme changes stunted his development. Now the Eagles might be looking to move him. New Orleans is in dire need of proven help at the linebacker position. Adding the 26-year old Kendricks could end up being a big help for their defense.
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Word on whether this trade idea is serious won’t come around until next week when the new league year opens on March 9th. Keep in mind the Saints have done this before, trading Jimmy Graham to Seattle in 2015. They are not of afraid of making big deals.