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). 
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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.
Photo courtesy of Pro Football Rumors on Instagram.
Pats reopen Garoppolo talks with the Browns, get No. 12, and flip it straight up for Cooks.
Pats should seek at least a mid-round pick from the Saints in that scenario, but wow, that’d be something.
I could see it.
They may be able to get him for their pick and keep the pick they traded for. Pretty good upgrade.
If the Titans are offering 5 for 11 of 18 in a simple deal, their own pick wouldn’t do it. And yes Zach, that was just the basic framework, with the saints giving up a 3rd, and maybe also giving up a 5th or 6th if we sent a 6th or 7th, but Cooks and a late pick for that Browns pick was about what I had in mind.
That should say or 18. Can’t edit in the app.
Cooks is obviously an impact guy. I think it’s a no brainer, especially if you’re a WR needy team looking at drafting for a WR in the 1st anyways…
You really might as well get the proven player in Cooks, rather than taking a gamble on a rookie, especially anywhere after #20-#32…
If you are someone like Oakland, I think you are begging the Saints to take your first rounder for Cooks…
Having Carr throw to two playmakers like Cooper and Cooks, and then along with a solid possession receiver in Crabtree…That would be one heck of a three some..Like I said, if I’m Oakland, I can’t get on the phone fast enough!!
Cooks is a great player but I wouldn’t give up a 1st for him. There’s very few WR in the league that would get a return like that and a non-prototypical number 1 receiver playing in a deep pass happy system would cause me to question whether I’d rather not just keep my 1st round draft pick. Of course I’m just a couch GM.
I would be pretty happy if the Chiefs were to make this move since their pick is towards the end of the first round. After a year with Alex Smith he would have about 25 catches for about 150 yards and no touchdowns
Watch Chicago in this. Ryan Pace was in the front office that drafted Cooks… They will part with Jeffery and need an impact WR…and could offer a high 2nd round pick. They could also pay him long term.
Checks all the boxes
I don’t think that’s Brandin Cook’s in the photo…