According to NFL Insider Chris Mortensen, The Philadelphia Eagles are one of two teams interested in acquiring WR Brandin Cooks via trade. The other being the Tennessee Titans, whom also seem to be the favorite.
Rumors started to swirl late in the 2016 season that Cooks, was unhappy and wanted out of New Orleans. With that being said, rumors are just rumors and if Cooks was unhappy or the Saints are really looking to move him, there must be a reason.
Cooks, a first round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, had been rumored to be one of two players (Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix) that the Eagles, targeted in the draft.
The Saints potentially wanting to move on from such a young talent is a little alarming. So we sat down with the host of Straight Shooting Sports talk, DuJennae Bland. A former Saints Beat writer spent time up getting up close and personal watching Cooks. So we figured he would have some clear insight on the pros and cons, of trading for him.
Pro: Brandin…Cooks….is…..GONE
The Eagles spent a good amount of time last offseason searching for a true deep threat to add to the mix. The need for a playmaker out wide seemed to have overshadowed any positives Carson Wentz and company drew up in 2016. Obviously, the addition of Cooks would not only help with the Eagles receiving issues but give Wentz a deep threat to grow with.
“Cooks,demands help from the secondary, causing matchup problems. He has the ability to stretch the field and put tremendous pressure on the back end.”
Con: One trick pony?
Cooks has carved out early success in his career as a home run hitter and always seemed to be there to make a big play. His skill set seems to be limited to this at times, as he struggles to get off the line of scrimmage when facing off against stronger defensive backs.
“He is a smaller guy, tough, but smaller, he is capable of but not great at making contested catches in traffic, over the middle 15 yards in. Sometimes, he gets completely taken out of a game, becoming a non-factor.”
Pros: What it says?
Over the past few years, Eagles, fans have screamed for a franchise quarterback, a shutdown corner, and a playmaker on the outside. Last season, the Eagles took care of the first issue when they did whatever it took to trade up and get their guy in Carson Wentz. If these rumors are in fact true, it could only mean the Eagles brass, are paying attention to the teams needs. They traded for 2nd round pick Dorial Green-Beckham last offseason, and while that trade is still sorting itself out, the fact the Eagles, have been rumored to this trade and so many high profile WR’s, shows that something is brewing.
Con: The cost
We asked the question earlier, why would the Saints give up on such a talented player while he is still young? As stated before, there were rumors about Cooks being unhappy in New Orleans, which may point to character issues. Although it could all just be chatter to create clicks, the other question we have to ask ourselves, is what would it cost the Eagles, to bring him in? He is still young and so the Saints, asking for something like a 1st round pick and a young player, wouldn’t be farfetched. The asking price is yet to be seen, but the Eagles who just acquired a first for Sam Bradford, can’t really afford to give up too much, for one guy. No matter how good he is, Howie Roseman eluded to it at the Combine, the Eagles are not just one player away.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
