FOXBORO – Brandin Cooks’ speed isn’t much of a secret around the NFL, but even when opposing defenses know what’s about to happen, they still can’t stop the receiver.

This season, the 24-year-old has hauled in four passes of 40-plus yards, which leads all NFL receivers. To put that into perspective, Cooks and Tom Brady have hooked up for more 40-plus yards passes than 19 other NFL teams this season. Brady also leads the NFL in that deep-pass category with seven. In 12 games last season, he threw eight.

Cooks, acquired for a first-round pick this past offseason, is putting up big-time numbers in his first season with the Patriots and the offense is reaping the benefits.

“I feel great. You know, just learning everything and just building every week,” said Cooks, who’s worked hard to get on the same page as his quarterback. “Just working extra with [Brady], spending extra time and just growing day-by-day, every week. It’s the key to just continuing to progress on that direction.”

In his first season in Foxboro, Cooks is putting up elite numbers. Heading into the team’s Week 7 matchup with Atlanta, the receiver’s on pace to finish with career-best 1,259 receiving yards. One four players in Patriots franchise history have caught more yards – Wes Welker, Randy Moss Stanley Morgan and Rob Gronkowski.

Cooks’ 472 receiving yards, through six weeks, marks the best start to his career. Under Brady, only three others receivers have had more yards at this point in the season – Welker (twice), Moss (twice) and Troy Brown. In Patriots franchise history, only six players have gotten off to better starts statistically – Welker, Morgan, Moss, Ben Coates, Terry Glenn and Troy Brown.

What makes Cooks production even more impressive is that the receiver is putting up the numbers in his first season with the Patriots. Under Brady, the only receiver to have a better start in his first season in Foxboro was Moss in his record-setting 2007 season.

Six months in, Bill Belichick said it’s been a joy coaching Cooks.

“It’s great. Yeah, it’s great,” Belichick said. “He works hard, very diligent, tough, durable, a smart guy that will do whatever you ask him to do. Whatever you ask him to do he wants to know exactly how you want it done and he tries to do it that way. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

Cooks is currently second in the NFL in yards per reception (19.7), fifth in receiving yards and seventh in receiving yards per game (78.7). His big-play ability has changed the Patriots offense in the wake of Julian Edelman’s loss.

Cooks best game statistically came in Week 3 against Houston (five catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns). Brady hit the receiver for a 44-yard gain on their first series and that set up a Rob Gronkowski touchdown. In the third quarter, Cooks did it again – hauling in a 42-yard touchdown pass. He capped that day off with a 25-yard game-winning touchdown and then a 2-point conversion.

Cooks’ speed has impacted the offense in other ways, too. In Week 1, the Chiefs were twice flagged for pass interference while trying to cover the receiver. Both penalties brought about first-and-goals to set up two Mike Gillislee rushing touchdowns. Later in the game, he hauled in a 54-yard reception that led to a field goal.

When the Patriots are struggling, Cooks’ ability to get the offense downfield quick has been huge. In Tampa, the receiver started the third quarter with two big catches for 17 and 34 yards. Those catches led to a field goal. It was similar this past Sunday. Down 14-7, Brady threw a 42-yard pass to Cooks to set up a first-and-goal and two plays later, the Patriots tied the game.

Cooks’ ability to stretch the field has made this offense even more dangerous. On Wednesday, he said there weren’t any secrets when it comes to how those big plays happen.

“It’s just natural,” Cooks said. “You just think of it like the ball’s coming and all you want to do is do the best that you can to make a play for your team.”