The NFL draft saw some amazing drama and some fantastic developments from teams, but the best pick of the first round could be what the New Orleans Saints did, as they traded up to get Brandin Cooks in the first round and that has the potential to be the best selection of the draft at WR or any position, even over Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins, as Cooks fits perfectly with Drew Brees in that offense.
Cooks was targeted by a number of teams in the draft and that is why the Saints jumped up to get him and while they gave up a third rounder to do it, the team feels it has one of the best receiving units in the league now with Cooks, Kenny Stills and Marques Colston for Drew Brees. Cooks is 5-foot-10, 189 pounds and is in the mold of DeSean Jackson and after coming out of Oregon State, he could be a dominant force in the Saints offense.
Cooks is the fastest wideout in the draft and he also is a very good route runner, has a high football intelligence and he was ridiculously productive last season with the Beavers. Last season he had 1730 yards and 128 catches with 16 touchdowns and after playing with Mike Riley he goes to another offensive minded coach and that could be fantastic for Brees and for Cooks. The wideout had a ton to overcome on his way into college and that has made him a better player and now he is in the fold with the Saints and they will get back Jimmy Graham eventually and they also signed Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd in free agency and the team now is looking very good.
Cooks won the Biletnikoff Award and he can help make up for the production of Darren Sproles and Lance Moore, who put up some good numbers with Brees. Cooks is fast and has strong hands and while the team had to move up from number 27, the team felt it was worth it for the receiver that he is. The Saints ranked second in the NFL last season in passing yards per game and this is another weapon adding to that.
