Brandin Cooks Upgrades The Slot For The New Orleans Saints

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When I watch highlight tapes on Brandin Cooks and watch his ability to turn an small completion into a 50-yard touchdown I can’t help but see a bit of Steve Smith in him. At 5’9/185 pounds the now former Oregon State Beaver has the same body type as Steve Smith. The New Orleans Saints made a splash in the first round by trading up to take Cooks with 20th overall pick in the draft. You have to think that the Saints and Sean Payton’s west coast offense is one of the best fits for Cooks coming out of the draft. In terms of best fits in the this Draft Cooks is one of the best in my opinion.

The New Orleans Saints as we all know are led by Drew Brees- A guys who runs the offense with intense precision and is a tactician on the gridiron. Jimmy Graham, Marquis Colston, Robert Meachem and guys of that nature. Lance Moore just signed a 2-year deal with Pittsburgh Steelers so the Saints needed to address that slot receiver position and find a guy who can be a productive 3rd option in that offense. Brandin Cooks is a guy who is going to flourish in a huge way in that offense. Cooks is a proven playmaker at Oregon State where he collected 195 receptions, 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Oregon State Beavers.

In due time I feel Cooks will not only be a s good as Lance Moore but even better, his ability to turn short gains into points his going to be huge. Moore had that same ability to a degree but Cooks has it in bunches, I know Sean Payton is already thinking off all the different smoke screens and short pass plays to show the world this kids explosiveness. He has a bit more speed than Moore, it’s just a matter of him finding a way to effectively use that speed at the next level.

Cooks is the perfect player for Sean Payton’s west coast offense and in time I believe will become one of Drew Brees favorite targets. His impact also stretches beyond just playing receiver as Cooks returned punts and kickoffs at Oregon. To say the least Cooks will be an explosive player and the Saints did a great job getting him at #20.