In the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys decided not to bring back veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks, where he spent the last two years. Cooks took his talents to the New Orleans Saints, where he began his career and signed a two-year, $13 million contract.
The 32-year-old receiver was hoping that his return to the Big Easy would be fruitful. But that hasn’t been the case through the first seven weeks of this season, leading to talk that Cooks could be dealt.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, a trade involving the ex-Cowboys wideout “is very possible.” If he’s moved, it would be an NFL record fifth time that Cooks has exchanged jerseys and area codes.
Rapoport adds that it appears “to be an openness on both sides in moving sides.” The former Dallas wide receiver thought he would be playing with Derek Carr when he signed in March, but Carr shockingly retired a couple of months later.
Ex-Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks Emerging as Trade Candidate Ahead of Deadline
That being said, it will be interesting to see which team wants to take a flier on the 32-year-old Cooks. He hasn’t put up great numbers in his second stint with New Orleans, which has leaned on second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler, who is still going through his growing pains.
The 5-foot-10, 193-pound wide receiver has racked up 14 receptions (18 targets) for 127 yards and zero touchdowns across seven games. Cooks is also averaging a career-low 9.1 yards per reception, along with 2.0 yards after the catch per reception.
Now, could we attribute Cooks’ down year to the QB play in New Orleans? Yes, because even in his last year with the Cowboys, the veteran pass catcher produced 26 receptions (54 targets) for 259 yards and three touchdowns across 10 games.
Who's to say Cooks can’t return to that form with a contending team like the Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, which needs wide receiver help? It’s not impossible, especially if he’s paired with a QB like Aaron Rodgers and has DK Metcalf next to him.
However, most teams will do their diligence around the league to see what other wide receivers are available before settling on the former Cowboy. When wide receivers get moved before the deadline, most of them don’t make a huge impact on their new team.
But maybe Cooks gets lucky, lands a worthwhile opportunity, which will get him back on track after a slow start through the first seven weeks.