The New Orleans Saints have completed a trade that sends disgruntled receiver Brandin Cooks to the New England Patriots in exchange for a first-round pick and change.
TRADE! The Patriots have traded their #32 & 3rd #103 pick to the Saints for wide receiver Brandin Cooks & their 4th #118 pick per sources
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 11, 2017
There were rumors that this deal was in the works prior to the start of free agency, but the Patriots made the next move here in order to get it done.
Cooks has reportedly been behind the recent trade talks to begin with, frustrated that he’s not a No. 1 option with the Saints. This, despite the fact he’s caught 162 catches for 2,311 yards and 17 touchdowns the past two seasons in New Orleans.
No doubt, Josh McDaniels will find good use for Cooks, who is a matchup nightmare. He’ll certainly thrive catching passes from Tom Brady, provided he doesn’t complain if other players are being targeted more often at times.
Obviously, the prize of this trade for New Orleans is the Patriots first-round pick. They also move up 15 spots in the mid rounds of the draft.
New Orleans also planned ahead with the understanding Cooks would likely be leaving, landing free agent Ted Ginn on Thursday.
This has the makings of a win-win arrangement for the two clubs. Time will tell if it works out as well in real life as it does on paper. But for now, Tom Brady has a new toy to play with in New England.