Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Saints WR Brandin Cooks‘ frustration with his role in the team’s offense has led some to wonder if this is really the best system for him.
According to Rapoport, there are expected to be trade talks centered around Cooks in the weeks leading up to free agency. Rapoport says that there’s no doubt Cooks will draw interest from other teams.
Earlier this week, Cooks told reporters that sometimes you’ve got to speak up for yourself, saying: “Closed mouths don’t get fed.”
Mike Triplett of ESPN reported that there is a growing discontent between Cooks and the team due to the lack of involvement he’s had this season. Triplett added that it is too early to tell whether Cooks would demand a trade this offseason.
Rapoport says this could end up being a similar situation as to what the Saints did with TE Jimmy Graham a few years ago and decide he’s more valuable as a trade asset and ultimately move on.
Cooks, 23, is a former first-round pick of the Saints back in 2014. He’s currently in the third year of his four-year, $8.4 million contract and stands to make base salaries $1,182,132 and $781,599 over the next two years.
New Orleans will have to decide whether to pick up his fifth-year option next year.
In 2016, Cooks has appeared in 11 games for the Saints and caught 51 passes for 736 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 28 receiver out of 118 qualifying players.
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