With the 20th Pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Saints Select: Brandin Cooks
- Updated: May 8, 2014
The New Orleans Saints have acquired the twentieth pick overall from the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for their twenty-seventh pick overall and their 2014 third round selection.
Brandin Cooks, WR, 5-10, 190, Oregon St.
Key stats: Had 128 receptions (2nd nationally); and 1,730 yards (1st) in 2013.
Strengths: Highly-productive wide receiver, who played well on a weekly basis. … A sudden athlete. … Has combination of explosive quickness and great long speed. … Quickly closes cushion on cornerbacks playing in ‘off coverage’ and accelerates past them with relative ease. … Is sharp coming out of cuts. … Has knack for finding open space and coming back to QB. … Productive in the screen game because he shows patience in setting up his blocks. … Has good hands and catches the ball well in traffic. … Tough. … Not afraid to go over middle and take some licks. . … Also used often on jet sweeps. … Plays with a physical edge and has some nastiness in his game.
Weaknesses: Not big, has short arms, and isn’t a great leaper who can go up and make circus catches. … Could have trouble early in his career with teams that don’t allow him a free release off the line of scrimmage. … Played in wide-open offense at Oregon State and his stats are a bit inflated due to the Beavers’ high-powered attack. … Doesn’t break many tackles and is relatively easy to bring down. … Cooks is small, has short arms and isn’t a great leaper. .. Not a very physical blocker. … Needs to head upfield a little more often instead of running East and West. Conclusion: Reminds me of a slightly-bigger, less-elusive Tavon Austin. … Cooks is a dangerous weapon, who can immediately upgrade a passing attack due to his quickness and big-play ability. … He could find time on the outside, but will make his money as a slot guy … at least early in his career. Is also an option on special teams, which adds to his value.
NFL comparison: Emmanuel Sanders/Randall Cobb.
The Saints have traded up to snag Brandin Cooks (WR, Oregon State)
Why It Works: In a pass heavy offense that is rudimented with yards after catch, Cooks is a perfect fit. This man is a dangerous weapon and for all intensive purposes, the best receiver in the draft. Cooks will make a splash immediately with Drew Brees delivering the pigskin to the two-time Biletnikhoff award winner.
Draft Grade: A+ – An excellent selection, this could be the steal of the first round.
Related Posts
About Keith Fuchs
