New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints NFL Trade Rumors: Saints Reportedly Turned Down Patriots' Offer for Brandin Cooks
Brandin Cooks may be on the trading block, but he's not going to come cheap. In fact, the New Orleans Saints have already turned down an offer from one of the teams interested in acquiring the wide receiver.
Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com has reported that the New England Patriots offered the 32nd overall pick in this year's draft as part of a package to acquire Cooks, but the Saints rejected the offer. Last week, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport said they want a first-round draft pick in return for the wide receiver, but it's now clear that a lower pick in the first round isn't enough for the Saints.
"If the Saints choose to move Cooks, they're hoping to receive a draft pick in the middle of the first round, according to two sources with knowledge of the negotiations," Katzenstein said in his report. "The proposed package would include the Saints sending back a draft pick. If the Saints receive a first-round pick high enough, sources said, they would be willing to send back a mid-round pick," he continued.
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Well, offering the last pick in the first round didn't work. It's going to take more than that to pry Cooks away from the Saints, so it's back to the drawing board for the Patriots. At least they still have Brandon Marshall on their radar.
The Patriots have always been an offensive juggernaut no matter who they have at the wide receiver position, but a deep threat like Cooks would have been a welcome addition to the roster. Cooks has crossed the 1,000 receiving yard mark the past two seasons and he has had at least eight touchdowns during both seasons.
Unfortunately, the Saints may have potentially better trade partners in the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles. The Titans can offer the fifth or 18th overall pick in a deal, and the Eagles also have the 14th overall pick.
