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). 
[RELATED: Titans, Eagles Interested In Alshon Jeffery]
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.
The Titans offense would be lit with him there
Not sure why you got downvoted. 100% right. He could really break out as Mariota’s No. 1 guy
Imagine if Tennessee gets Cooks AND Jeffery. Offense would be one of the leagues best
boy, that’d be something
lol sure it would…
The potential of Mariota, Jeffery, Cooks, Murray, and Henry would be scary
I’ll take all of them on my fantasy team please. k thx
Then throw in Delanie Walker too
In theory yes. But Cooks and Jeffery won’t have the same seasons in the past if their both fighting for the same targets. Sure, it would be a highly potent passing threat and one of them will always be open, but I don’t believe they would both put up eye popping numbers. Same can be said about Murray and Henry. Something’s gotta give.
I wish the Ravens would get involved. They sure can’t draft a WR so trading for one might be their best option. Worked for Boldin.
Wonder if they will. They seem to really like their aging WRs more than the young studs.
Their list of drafted wide receivers is hard to look at. Torrie Smith is probably the best one
Philly needs him, hopefully they can also deal from depth and not give up high picks when they can deal serviceable players like Barein or Kendricks in a package.
Ain’t no way Sean Payton ain’t gonna let him go
This would be a way better trade for us….Drewe Brees males any reciever better. Saints need defense so they need to move up in draft and we can find a veteran wide receiver with speed who will be just as good
If it gets us Ruben foster I’m fine with it hah
First off I am a Saints fan:
I think a straight up trade for the 5th pick would be a mutually beneficial trade for both teams (Titans/Saints- Eagles have other needs on offense and only one first rounder).
Titans need more firepower and they would absolutely receive it. They get a young, cheap, proven commodity with speed AND accountability shown by his documented work ethic and desire to be taken more seriously as true WR1. The Titans get someone to blow the top off to take pressure off their RBs by keeping defenses honest.
The Saints have an offensive system that promotes production through scheming around multiple personnel. I would say Cooks is worth such a high draft pick because he is that good, but I would also say his production could be better used elsewhere. Payton and Brees do a lot with more pieces, utilizing as many decently productive pieces at once to give attacking options to a smart, talented QB. That kind of production doesn’t make Cooks less of an impact on our offense, but it spreads his absence over a larger area, which marginalizes the hit on the overall production as a unit. If a team was successful on offense alone, they would be in the SuperBowl every year. It is the identity they are accustomed to, and rightfully so.
However, the Saints’ DEFENSE needs to find a way to make themselves relevant. If a defense was a measure of success, they would have the first pick in the draft every year. Mickey Loomis has been overpaying for talent or sinking costs in the bargain bin, which has been the Achilles heel after Bountygate. They need more high-end defensive pieces for adding individual production to that side so they can boast the same argument they have with their offense. They have to add a lot of talent because any one piece missing is a gunshot wound. With a draft this deep at need positions, they can get an immediate starter at all three levels in the first 2 rounds. Let’s pretend they draft Foster, best available defender, and best available defender? Regardless of the players on the roster, who were mostly injured last season, they will get the smart, talented QB of the defense and players good enough to execute game plans for once.
Quit reading after straight up for the 5th pick.
The saints needs to get as many good players as they can but they have to learn how to keep the good players they have I would not trade cooks unless a team give a deal you cannot refuses other then that keep cook and add to your high power offens in draft or free agentcy
They won’t trade cooks unless the deal is epic. The trade with Tennessee is the best we are going to get (swapping for 5th pick and maybe getting an extra pick or 2). I know we need defense badly, but we also have to look to the future without Brees. I wouldn’t mind grabbing Watson (if available) and letting him sit behind Brees for a year or 2. Not a great QB but he is pretty damn good. We have plentyped of money to spend on defense as well. Would not mind going after Branden Williams or Dontari Poe
Be smart in this year draft and get the best conor back you can go in free agent and get another one take a look at what you already have then if that dont’ look like anything then see if you can deal cooks to a team that have great conor back because thats your biggest problem on this saints team conor back like someone said in the other line you can deal cooks and get another recevier with speed
We have money to spend this year. We should buy a free agent corner back. I’m OK with Breaux just need a better #2. Also pass rush is out biggest problem so hopefully we can get Dontari Poe or Branden Williams to help Cam out. We have money, spend it on top tier players!