5 wide receivers the Saints can trade for to help their offense

It was clear during the 2020 season that the New Orleans Saints didn’t have a true backup wide receiver behind Michael Thomas. When he went down with an injury, that was a chance for another guy to step in and fill his shoes but that never came to fruition.

Emmanuel Sanders, the guy who had the best shot at doing that, was released to save cap space, digging the Saints in a deeper hole at receiver. They have Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, and rookie Kawaan Baker as their WR/2/3/4 entering the season but the team should strongly consider trading for a receiver before the season begins.

If they were to do that, here are five options that could flourish in the Big Easy.

Wide Receivers Saints Should Trade For – No. 5: Brandin Cooks

I previously wrote about how the Saints reuniting with Brandin Cooks makes a lot of sense but I know it’s not the most realistic situation. Cooks and the Saints didn’t part ways on the best of terms and in Cooks’ final season with the team, he was complaining about the lack of targets.

Since he was traded, Cooks has played for the Patriots, Rams, and Texans, so considering he’s played in the league for seven years and has been on four different teams sort of speaks for itself. He’s been really good though, totaling over 1,000 yards in all but two seasons during his career.

Cooks is coming off an impressive season with the Texans, totaling 81 receptions for 1,150 yards and six touchdowns. His quarterback was the league leader in passing yards, which made it easier for him to rack up the yards. That won’t be the case in Houston this year, as they’ll have either Tyrod Taylor or rookie Davis Mills throwing the ball.

If the Texans put Cooks on the trade block, the Saints should put their past feud aside and try to bring him in.