Wide receiver is a notable position of need for Kellen Moore's offense, entering his first offseason with the New Orleans Saints. The first-time head coach could give fans a blast from the past sooner than later, too.
Saints may bring back WR Brandin Cooks
According to Albert Breer, there is potential for a reunion between the Saints and wide receiver Brandin Cooks. He "wouldn't be floored" if New Orleans tries to bring back the former first-rounder.
Speaking of the Saints, I wouldn’t be floored if they make a run at bringing Brandin Cooks back after all these years. Cooks can still run, and would be a nice complementary piece to what New Orleans has in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Alvin Kamara.
-- Albert Breer
Cooks is 31 years old, so there are definitely plenty of miles on him during his pro career so far. Not to mention, he is coming off a season-ending injury with the Dallas Cowboys.
With New Orleans to begin his career, Cooks had over 1,100 receiving yards in two of his first three years in the NFL. He was the 20th overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, taken by the Saints - of course.
Cooks has not eclipsed 700 receiving yards since 2021, when he accomplished that feat with the Houston Texans. Adding him would really just be a veteran flier to provide depth alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for New Orleans, both of whom dealt with injuries a season ago.
If I were making the decisions for the Saints, I would prioritize a bigger-body veteran option at wideout to accompany the speed and elusiveness of Olave and Shaheed. Both of those players, especially Olave, play a role that Cooks has for most of his playing career.
As of now, New Orleans lacks that sort of larger-in-stature threat at the WR position - with Marquez Valdes-Scantling scheduled to be a free agent.
Regardless, a reunion could be in the works. Only time will tell if Cooks makes a return to the Saints to work with Kellen Moore.
