In the 2014 NFL Draft the New Orleans Saints drafted Brandin Cooks in the first round giving Drew Brees yet another weapon. But many wonder where Cooks would fit in with Now Orleans. With the best tight end in the league and number one target Jimmy Graham and Marques Colston at receiver. What should we expect from Cooks in his rookie season with the Saints?
Well when you look at the Saints offense you can’t think of too many “weaknesses” with guys like Graham and Colston teaming with Brees who is a future HOF. They also have a young star in the making in Kenny Stills who has established himself as the teams deep threat. So with the team already having a small speedy receiver why did they need to add another?
Looking at Cooks he brings an elusiveness that none of the Saints current players have. Cooks is the type of player that can take a screen, slant pattern, or any short pass the distance. He has a set of skills that is very versatile. He reminds me of guys like Dexter McCluster, Tavon Austin, Percy Harvin, and yes Darren Sproles.
Sproles was one of the team's top offensive options for the past couple years. He would line up all over the field and be a matchup nightmare in the slot, the backfield, or even out wide. This offseason when the Saints dealt Sproles to the Eagles it left a nice size hole that needed to be filled in the offense. And I know you're saying but Sproles is a running back why not draft another running back?
Well because Sproles wasn’t really used as a running back, last season he had 53 carries for 220 yards and two touchdowns. In comparison he hauled in 71 catches for 604 yards and two more touchdowns and that’s the production the Saints really wanted to replace.
So you will see Cooks take over the Sproles role in his rookie season with some deep balls added into the mix. Cooks is a talented player and he will no doubt lineup all over the field like Sproles. You’ll see him mostly in the slot but also in the backfield and out wide. He will also see some action on special teams as returner. I’m excited to see Cooks play with the weapons down in New Orleans and take over for Sproles. If he can become the nightmare Sproles was for opposing defenses, he’ll make a run for Offensive Rookie of the Year this season.