The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... In addition to the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots are among the teams that have inquired about a potential Cooks deal. The Patriots offered the No. 32 overall pick as part of their package, but that wasn't enough for 23-year-old Cooks, per both sources.
Diehards Line:
Saints GM Mickey Loomis and HC Sean Payton have acknowledged that the team would need a significant return in order to trade Cooks, and it seems they've set their sights on a desired price. If the Saints choose to move Cooks, they're hoping to receive a draft pick in the middle of the first round, two sources with knowledge of the negotiations told Times-Picayune staffer Josh Katzenstein. To this point, at least five teams have made overtures to the Saints about the productive young receiver. Other teams involved have tried to acquire Cooks for a second-round pick. The Saints are negotiating from a position of power because they would be content to keep Cooks as part of one of the top groups of wide receivers in the NFL, along with Michael Thomas and Willie Snead. The Saints, however, can afford to wait for the right offer. Free agency begins Thursday, the draft isn't until the end of April, and both events could alter Cooks' value to other teams. Stay tuned.