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WR Brandin Cooks, Free Agent (1 Viewer)

bostonfred said:
The fact this is even under discussion is big for Michael Thomas's stock. It sounds like they feel he's legit elite. 
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Maybe Payton is changing to a more balanced O and wants to ship out the little guy that is not a good blocking WR.

Who am I kidding?

 
I think a trade like this would be fairly neutral for Cooks.  I think he is what he is.  Willie Snead and Michael Thomas would be the big winners in NO.  It would be another year of watching Brandon Coleman thinking he might get more work.  Could be a sign NO doesn't think they can afford him after his rookie contract expires next year?

 
They're obviously in a bit of a rebuild, so if there's a positive for brees, it's that you don't make this move if you're planning to move on from Brees. You do it to get young pieces now because you won't be able to afford a second contract for cooks.  So it's good news for dynasty owners imo.

 
bostonfred said:
They're obviously in a bit of a rebuild, so if there's a positive for brees, it's that you don't make this move if you're planning to move on from Brees. You do it to get young pieces now because you won't be able to afford a second contract for cooks.  So it's good news for dynasty owners imo.
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That's different take than I'd have. Cooks is locked up for 2 more seasons, I don't think if they move him it has anything to do with paying him.  I think it has everything to do with their defense still stinks and it's arguably the most talented draft on the defense side we've seen and Cooks is arguably their most attractive trade asset.

To me this does not make it more or less likely they redo their deal on Brees after this season. I just see a team trying to fix their defense.

 
menobrown said:
That's different take than I'd have. Cooks is locked up for 2 more seasons, I don't think if they move him it has anything to do with paying him.  I think it has everything to do with their defense still stinks and it's arguably the most talented draft on the defense side we've seen and Cooks is arguably their most attractive trade asset.

To me this does not make it more or less likely they redo their deal on Brees after this season. I just see a team trying to fix their defense.
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That's fair.  I think the big thing to me is that cooks is going to get paid in 2019.  Draft picks this year won't need to.  So regardless of the motive this keeps cooks from becoming the mega contract that forces them to make tough decisions.  

 
bostonfred said:
The fact this is even under discussion is big for Michael Thomas's stock. It sounds like they feel he's legit elite. 
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Larry Triplett broke this story back in early December. As the Saints were calling it hogwash, Adam Schefter broke a similar story. 

The gist of Triplett's story was that Cooks is unhappy with how he is used and that he let the Saints know quietly. 

(Someone within the Saints needs to shush)

In January and February, Payton was denying these rumors and saying how he is looking forward to Cooks coming back. Almost like a rebuttal, Schefter and Triplett would post yet another Cooks trade rumor tweet.

Mort today broke the news that the Titans and Eagles are both discussing trade with the Saints.

The Eagles side hasn't picked up steam-it's just presented as they like Desean Jackson's style, miss it, and Cooks could play like DeSean.

The Titans side has- now we have three rumors of specifics

Titans give up a first

Titans and Saints swap 5th and 11th

Titans swap many picks with the Saints where each time the Saints move up to the higher spot in the draft. This is like the 5th and 11th repeated a few times.

As far as FF, what BF said is probably going to happen. Thomas' value will skyrocket here, but it seems like it has a bunch to due with Cooks' displeasure.

Snead is barely mentioned, so if you're sending out feelers today. He might be the easiest to get via trade. He should see some increase.

Tajae Sharpe should be given up for a sandwich. Mike Mularkey's 3rd WR is a 25 catch 250-300 yard role and has been for like 15 years or so. (They are a run team) His ceiling would be quite minimal. Cooks and Matthews are both quite effective in the slot on third down. Delanie is one of the best. Tajae does not come across as a good option here at all. Further, if they draft some speedster, they might set him wide and "go deep young man" on many 3rd downs. This really wrecks Tajae's value. 

I could see the Titans trading Tajae, but what I gather is only the Titans adored him last summer. It wasn't a league-wide appreciation for him. Other teams might still see him as the 5th rounder from UMass. I'd serious try to trade Tajae now and get anything for him

ETA

PK has Mularkey insulting WRs the same way as last year. Nitpicking route running and attention to detail. He needs to shut up. DGB and Hunter had almost no value when he was done whining. To say this when maybe they want to trade Tajae hurts. Saints could hear of it and ask for a smidge more. Shut up coach!

 
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IF Cooks is traded and NO ends up with multiple 1st round picks, wonder what the chance is they grab Williams or Davis? Talk about exploding value.

 
I don't see any reason why Thomas would benefit from Cooks leaving. Cooks draws #1 coverage, Cooks keeps safeties deep. Is Snead doing that? No, he is not. Cooks loses Brees but would likely gain more long term stability with Mariota. So from a fantasy outlook, i'd say, Cooks stays the same or better, and Thomas stays the same or gets worse. Snead obviously would be the biggest winner as his targets would jump ton, and I guess maybe Fleener becomes relevant again. Probably a hit to Brees too. Mariota is a huge winner too if this happens. 

If the deal is the #18 for Cooks, I'd say the Titans win that. If they swap a bunch of other picks it starts to be move even, and perhaps the Saints win. 

 
travdogg said:
I don't see any reason why Thomas would benefit from Cooks leaving. Cooks draws #1 coverage, Cooks keeps safeties deep.
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92/1137/9 on 121 targets. That's what Thomas did as a rookie.  Without cooks, I agree with you that his catch percentage should go down - 75 percent is almost unsustainable.  But his targets, depth of target, and red zone looks all should go up, and he'd be the fastest receiver on the saints.  

It also signals that they are comfortable with him as their number one - which is probably why cooks is unhappy.  Thomas just had one of the best rookie seasons of all time, and he's probably a better true wide receiver than colston ever was. He could be breaking out as an elite player. 

 
Dear Cute Little Baby Jesuse, in your cute little baby manger........

Tex

 
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The Saints did trade Kenny Stills to MIami for a 3rd round pick, which is what they spent on him. He was a successful player for the Saints that they wanted to avoid a big pay day on. I heard Still might get a contract that pays him $12 per season. Brandin Cooks going into his 4th season will be looking for a big contract as well, or the Saints have to consider picking up his option.

I could see them moving on just because they have other viable options and Drew Brees is so good I don't think it really matters, he makes the players around him better. Thomas Snead and Cooks all had similar high yards per target numbers because of Brees. 

It seems unlikely teams would pay a 1st for Cooks but would they? That is what the Saints invested in him.

 
ericttspikes said:
IF Cooks is traded and NO ends up with multiple 1st round picks, wonder what the chance is they grab Williams or Davis? Talk about exploding value.
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Is WR a need for them though?

This is a deep draft for secondary, the top T is going late for a change, and RBs are sorely undervalued. I notice a lot of love for Reuben Foster and OJ Howard. I don't know if they stay in the teens. I think any team is fortunate to add Foster. 

How about a Brees replacement? Like anyone? If they have an extra pick, is that wise?

It would probably be best for the Saints to address the whole team and any needs, not feel compelled to replace Cooks.

 
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" Said ESPN NFL Nation Saints reporter Mike Triplett: “I think it’s a case where the Saints feel like they could get a ton of value for Cooks and still be able to replace him and keep thriving on offense [similar to their Jimmy Graham trade two years ago]. They have more glaring needs on defense. 'Although Cooks is much more than just a speedy 'clear-out' receiver, they could probably find one of those much cheaper. And they really like 2016 rookie WR Michael Thomas. Chances are they won’t pay them both huge money long-term.” "

 
travdogg said:
I don't see any reason why Thomas would benefit from Cooks leaving. Cooks draws #1 coverage, Cooks keeps safeties deep. Is Snead doing that? No, he is not. Cooks loses Brees but would likely gain more long term stability with Mariota. So from a fantasy outlook, i'd say, Cooks stays the same or better, and Thomas stays the same or gets worse. Snead obviously would be the biggest winner as his targets would jump ton, and I guess maybe Fleener becomes relevant again. Probably a hit to Brees too. Mariota is a huge winner too if this happens. 

If the deal is the #18 for Cooks, I'd say the Titans win that. If they swap a bunch of other picks it starts to be move even, and perhaps the Saints win. 
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Why on earth would the saints trade him for the 18th pick?  Not happening. 

 
I'd love it for Cooks if he went to either Titans or Eagles. With the way the Saints use Cooks, they would be smart to trade him and find a cheaper clear out WR. There are several guys who fit the bill in this year's draft.

 
bostonfred said:
92/1137/9 on 121 targets. That's what Thomas did as a rookie.  Without cooks, I agree with you that his catch percentage should go down - 75 percent is almost unsustainable.  But his targets, depth of target, and red zone looks all should go up, and he'd be the fastest receiver on the saints.  

It also signals that they are comfortable with him as their number one - which is probably why cooks is unhappy.  Thomas just had one of the best rookie seasons of all time, and he's probably a better true wide receiver than colston ever was. He could be breaking out as an elite player. 
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His efficiency was going to go down next year anyway. I think this will affect it a little more as a few teams might move coverage towards him. But Thomas lines up a lot in the slot, and my understanding is that a lot of teams don't move their top guy to cover the slot. I would imagine the extra targets help him maintain his current level or slightly improve on it, even accounting for a decent drop in efficiency.

 
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 



 





The #Saints are aiming high value-wise for a potential WR Brandin Cooks trade. They've told teams they want a 1st round pick.


Ian Rapoport @RapSheet 




 





Wherever WR Brandin Cooks goes, he'll want a hefty contract extension, among the highest at his position. Complicates trade value.



 
Cooks and his agent might just be idiots.  It sounds like his whole goal was to go somewhere and get paid now because he's afraid the saints won't give him top dollar later. That's reasonable.  But why demand a trade and then screw up the trade by letting word get out you want the trade and an extension? Just shut up. 

 
bostonfred said:
Cooks and his agent might just be idiots.  It sounds like his whole goal was to go somewhere and get paid now because he's afraid the saints won't give him top dollar later. That's reasonable.  But why demand a trade and then screw up the trade by letting word get out you want the trade and an extension? Just shut up. 
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I would have thought the extension was obvious, and I assume any team interested would have as well, so I doubt that changes anything. He's a FA after this season, with an option for another year. No team would trade a 1st or 2nd for a guy without signing a long term deal, with Chandler Jones being the one exception, but he had some off field issues at the time.

 
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If Eagles can land him for a 2nd and a couple defenders like Mychal Kendricks and/or Connor Barwin, then Giddy up Carson Wentz.

 
zeeshan2 said:
Alex Marvez 


 
✔@alexmarvez



I'm told @Eagles likely landing spot for @brandincooks so not sure how that would affect @BMarshall interest https://twitter.com/ekbuchannan/status/837664620043255808 …


8:10 AM - 3 Mar 2017





Alex Marvez 


 
✔@alexmarvez



Probably a 2nd rounder I'm told https://twitter.com/fantasy_champ1/status/837667464100077569 …


8:15 AM - 3 Mar 2017




 
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This is odd today

"Every" reporter has the Titans as front runners and then someone with a quality reputation says the Eagles are. Same with the first round versus second.

It doesn't do any good to be like I trust Mort and Schefter more than Marvez or somesuch dopey debate. There's a lot of quality there. I guess we just have to sit back and wait, consider them both "in the mix."

 
Dr. Octopus said:
I don't even think the CBA allows for him to get an extension yet - but maybe I'm wrong about that.
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I think you're correct. I think what they mean is next year, we don't want a fifth year extension, we want a nice long term deal.

I don't think the recent history of either franchise is kind to WRs. Most Titans have busted, DeSean in Wash, Maclin in KC. I imagine once the two teams popped up, this prompted the agent to make such a statement.

It's obvious without- any player wants big $ and long term deal. He probably just wanted to "let the word out."

 
Biabreakable said:
The Saints did trade Kenny Stills to MIami for a 3rd round pick, which is what they spent on him. He was a successful player for the Saints that they wanted to avoid a big pay day on. I heard Still might get a contract that pays him $12 per season. Brandin Cooks going into his 4th season will be looking for a big contract as well, or the Saints have to consider picking up his option.

I could see them moving on just because they have other viable options and Drew Brees is so good I don't think it really matters, he makes the players around him better. Thomas Snead and Cooks all had similar high yards per target numbers because of Brees. 

It seems unlikely teams would pay a 1st for Cooks but would they? That is what the Saints invested in him.




 
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I think Stills is an issue here. IMO he's not elite.  I feel like he's always nicked up and if he doesn't break one his fantasy stats are meh. 

I'm loving SpoTrac's "Market value" feature. He's too high. 

I can't see paying a guy that's never had 1000 yards 6 million per.

His former teammate has to see that as his own value is way more than that.

This weak WR market now is going to be a real future problem if teams overpay this year

 
Dr. Octopus said:
I don't even think the CBA allows for him to get an extension yet - but maybe I'm wrong about that.
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They can renegotiate after the last game of the player's third year, so they can for Cooks.  He was a first rounder though, so any acquiring team (and Saints of course) have the 5th year option for him, plus the Franchise Tag after that, so it's somewhat plausible someone would trade for him, especially just a 2nd, knowing they have 3-4 years of him locked in.

 
Hankmoody said:
They can renegotiate after the last game of the player's third year, so they can for Cooks.  He was a first rounder though, so any acquiring team (and Saints of course) have the 5th year option for him, plus the Franchise Tag after that, so it's somewhat plausible someone would trade for him, especially just a 2nd, knowing they have 3-4 years of him locked in.
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Thanks, I knew it wasn't until they were heading into their last season and thought for first round picks that maybe that fifth year option would count.

It seems he's now saying he would want to renegotiate - but not sure he'd have a ton of leverage there since sitting out means his contract tolls.

 
Bri said:
I think Stills is an issue here. IMO he's not elite.  I feel like he's always nicked up and if he doesn't break one his fantasy stats are meh. 

I'm loving SpoTrac's "Market value" feature. He's too high. 

I can't see paying a guy that's never had 1000 yards 6 million per.

His former teammate has to see that as his own value is way more than that.

This weak WR market now is going to be a real future problem if teams overpay this year
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Teams will still spend like sailors though. The Vikings have $40 million available after cutting Peterson and they are barely average in terms of cap space.

$6 million a year average might be cheap. I think Cooks and his agent are looking for more.

I heard Kenny Stills is seeking $12 million a year, which is nuts but that is what the market for players is like right now. All that money they are not giving to players on their 1st contract (like Cooks) has to go to the older players, so any free agent can expect to get overpaid as the cap keeps going up each year.

The Saints do have the 5th year option but I think that has to be declared some time soon if they want to use it. 

They did not get the ball to Cooks enough for him to ask for a big payday, and that may be his concern, that they also won't get him the ball enough this season, for him to earn a biger contract after this season, so trying to press the issue now.

I can see teams being willing to trade a 1st for Cooks as I think Cooks would be a 1st round pick in the 2017 draft as well.

 
SproutDaddy said:
There's a big difference between these situations.  A $10 million a year contract and the fact that Jimmy pissed the coaching staff off for not wanting to play when he was cleared by doctors.  Cooks is on a rookie contract and has no leverage to ask for a trade.  Your argument is mute and overall just plain stupid.  Pure speculation pulled from his crying.
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Lol @SproutDaddy

 
I don't know why you're laughing.  As a Saints fan who follows multiple boards, here's what we know.  Cooks is being a drama queen.  Payton has stated multiple times he's not on the trading block but they will listen to offers.  Cooks is in a contract year.  He has zero leverage.  The Saints apparently will listen to offer, but it's not guaranteed he going to be traded.  They're apparently looking to make it worth their while if they do.  I honestly hope they trade him with that attitude he has, but someone is going to pay a pretty steep price it seems.  Not sure that's going to happen considering the contract he's going to want.  Don't start patting yourself on the back.  My original post still holds true.

 
I never said they'd get that, but that's the asking price.  I don't think they'll get that either, but dude is 23, on a rookie contract, and just had back to back 1000 yard seasons.  They're not just going to give him away because he's crying.  I expect it will be something similar to the JG trade if they make one.  It will be a defensive player and a 1st rounder.  Apparently people in Philly are thinking they are getting him for Kendricks and a 2nd.  That's pretty funny.

 
flapgreen said:
That's hilarious. Saints might as well forget that. 
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Doesn't seem out of line to me.  If you're drafting in the 20's and looking at John Ross, why wouldn't you consider giving up your pick for him?  He's only 23 and while it's 3 fewer years of cheap rookie contract years that's a very small consideration to a well-managed team that's ready to win now.  His proven status vs. the wildcard any rookie can be plus Ross's health concerns makes this very plausible to me.  It doesn't specifically say 2018 1st, just "picks" so I suppose depending on how those are fleshed out could matter.

 
Hankmoody said:
Doesn't seem out of line to me.  If you're drafting in the 20's and looking at John Ross, why wouldn't you consider giving up your pick for him?  He's only 23 and while it's 3 fewer years of cheap rookie contract years that's a very small consideration to a well-managed team that's ready to win now.  His proven status vs. the wildcard any rookie can be plus Ross's health concerns makes this very plausible to me.  It doesn't specifically say 2018 1st, just "picks" so I suppose depending on how those are fleshed out could matter.
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You're completely ignoring having to pay Cooks a huge contract. A "well-managed" team wouldn't trade a first and a huge contract for Cooks. He's not going anywhere. 

 
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flapgreen said:
You're completely ignoring having to pay Cooks a huge contract. A "well-managed" team wouldn't trade a first and a huge contract for Cooks. He's not going anywhere. 
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Have to agree there. That's why the Seahawks were so dumb. You don't trade first round picks and then pay a guy free agent prices.

 
And let's not pretend that Cooks is some proven commodity.  1150/8 in a 5000 yard offense is how much in a normal offense?  We've seen this a million times before.  Guy comes from high volume offense with a great QB that prevents teams from focusing on one guy and then stinks up the joint after going somewhere where he is the focus and is playing with a normal QB.

 
I like Cooks.  The Saints offense tended to loose track of Brandin at times.  If he went someplace with a 'decent' QB where he'd be the #1 WR I think he would put up more consistent numbers.

The Saints want a mid-range 1st round pick.  They are willing to swap out picks to even up the deal.  I think what they are asking is a reasonable price.http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2017/03/patriots_among_teams_intereste.html

Patriots among teams interested in Brandin Cooks; Saints want mid-first round pick: sources


...  they've set their sights on a desired price.

If the Saints choose to move Cooks, they're hoping to receive a draft pick in the middle of the first round, according to two sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

To this point, at least five teams have made overtures to the Saints about the productive young receiver. In addition to the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots are among the teams that have inquired about a potential Cooks deal.

 
The Patriots offered the No. 32 overall pick as part of their package, but that wasn't enough for 23-year-old Cooks, per both sources.

The proposed package would include the Saints sending back a draft pick. If the Saints receive a first-round pick high enough, sources said, they would be willing to send back a mid-round pick.

Other teams involved have tried to acquire Cooks for a second-round pick.
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