Report: Patriots offered a first-round pick for Saints WR Brandin Cooks

The New Orleans Saints have a bevy of offensive weapons littered across the depth chart, but they’re willing to part ways with one of their best. They’ve been shopping Brandin Cooks, a former first-round pick and back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver.

The Titans and Eagles were initially discussed as suitors, but the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are also reportedly in the mix. According to NOLA.com, the Patriots offered the 32nd pick in the draft, but the Saints are looking for one in the middle of the opening round, per multiple sources.

In this proposal, the Saints would have sent the Patriots a mid-round pick in addition to Cooks, which they’re reportedly only be willing to do if they received a better first-round selection.

The Patriots have made it clear in years past that they don’t need a top-flight wide receiver to win championships. In fact, they haven’t spent a first-rounder on a wide receiver since 1996, when they took Terry Glenn, which was before the Bill Belichick era. The highest selection used on a wideout since Belichick arrived was Chad Jackson in the second round in 2006. Jackson caught 14 passes in his NFL career.

Cooks would be a nice weapon for Tom Brady, who’s at his best when he has a true deep threat. Chris Hogan somewhat emerged as one late last season, but he doesn’t have the electrifying speed that Cooks has. Cooks ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

If the Patriots were to acquire him, he’d only be under contract for 2017. He does have a fifth-year option for 2018, but reports suggest he’s looking to be paid like a top receiver, which makes the Patriots’ interest a bit unorthodox.