Saints sign WR Brandin Cooks to a 2-year, $13 million deal

Let's get the meh things acknowledged. Cooks at his worst is old, inconsistent, runs hot/cold, has wear-and-tear, disappears for stretches in games, at times looks like he's making business decisions, another not-big receiver, no longer plays the top deep threat role anymore, makes alot of catches as the 'uncovered' receiver, and a risk whether we'll get equal or greater value out of the invested $14M.

However, this signing has alot of good news. I think it helps to better clarify the receiver room and Olave and Shaheed's roles. Essentially, Cooks is experienced depth for these guys, and as many have said, is insurance or a contingency in case Olave gets another concussion. Cooks can start or he can come in on packages or as depth. If he's healthy, he can produce and hopefully with speed beat defenders who are not going to be the top cover guys.

$7M for two years is affordable. I like the 2 year part. Smart contract, if there ends up being dead money it will be very manageable.

The receiver room ideally (barring injury) starting the season seems clearer:

Hopefully, new X drafted in early rounds
Olave
Sheed
Cooks

Spot 5 and maybe 6?
Who wins/who goes to practice squad among
Pettis, Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr., Means, Tipton,
new non-x drafted receiver or UFDA's signed. In that group, Wilson Jr. carries a $1.3M dead cap if he leaves. (nothing to worry about). Pettis may have some like that but it has not made the OTC list yet.

In Dallas and Philly, Moore worked with receivers basically 3-deep. Moore will eventually want - maybe sooner than later - an alpha receiver like he had in CeeDee Lamb or A.J. Brown. We need a clean cap by 2027 or increased capacity earlier so we can eventually trade for or sign a big name 2nd contract receiver, if the Saints can't produce one via the draft.