While his teammates have heralded Cooks for his leadership throughout his time on the team this season, his production has not materialized. In 10 games, Cooks caught 19 passes for 165 yards despite playing 65 % of the team’s offensive snaps.
Cooks was rumored to be available prior to the trade deadline, but a deal never materialized. The only trade New Orleans made from its receiver depth was to send Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks for a pair of draft picks.
“If it happens, it happens,” Cooks said after to the deadline. “Obviously, it didn’t happen. For me, personally, I just know I can play at a high level. Obviously, it’s been frustrating with the minimum opportunities, but all I know is to grind, all I know is to work. And hopefully get more opportunities as I continue to display that.”
The Saints originally selected Cooks in the first round of the 2014 draft, but traded him to the New England Patriots for a two picks that would ultimately turn into offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
In 12 seasons with five teams, Cooks has caught 729 passes for 9.697 yards.
Staff writer Matthew Paras contributed to this report.
