The Saints haven’t had a trio of receivers reach 500 yards since Drew Brees retired. It’s paramount that Brandin Cooks is able to step up as that third receiver opposite of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
Cooks has shown the ability to be a star in his 11 year career. That won't be his role in New Orleans, but the wide receiver still needs to continue his production and stay healthy despite his age. Cooks can be the X-Factor for the Saints if he can step up.
Cooks has been a productive player ever since entering the league in 2014. He has six seasons over 1,000 yards receiving and all but one is over 500 yards. The only bad thing is his worst season came last year with just 259 yards. He missed seven games in 2024 with a knee infection but still only averaged 25.9 yards per game. It’s pivotal that Cooks rebounds and gets his production back up.
Cooks can take pressure off of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed
Cooks being a reliable third receiver has major implications on the Saints offense. He can take some of the pressure off of Olave and Shaheed. If he proves himself as a threat Cooks will force defenses to not key in on the Saints leading receivers.
In addition, Olave and Shaheed will open up more opportunities for Cooks. Cooks has enough speed to get open, especially if he’s only in single coverage. While his performance helps Shaheed and Olave, they will help him have maximize his skill set as well.
The Saints quarterback room is questionable going into 2025. Either Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler will be the starter. Both are inexperienced, Rattler has six games started and Shough is still a rookie. It’s important to give them as many options as possible. It behooves the offense for the defense to be as stretched out as possible. With their speed and amount of options, that should be no problem for Kellen Moore.
Brandin Cooks can be the Saints X-Factor if he can step up as the third receiver. The 11 year NFL veteran has the talent, the question is if he can stay healthy and productive despite his age. He can have a major impact on the Saints offense if he can step up opposite of Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.