By John Sarianides

According to Ian Rapopport of NFL.com, the Patriots offered the 32nd pick in the draft to the New Orleans Saints for wide receiver Brandin Cooks.

The Saints rejected the offer because they want a higher pick in the first round. If I were Bill Belichick, I would continue to have conversations with Saints general manager Micky Loomis and head coach Sean Payton. Cooks is the perfect fit in the Patriots offense.

The 23 year old Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and 8 touchdowns last season. At 5-10 189, Cooks has the size and the quickness the Patriots look for in their receivers. Cooks is explosive in the open field and he can finish after the catch. 

The Patriots run a lot of different perimeter screens and a variety of three step concepts. Cooks would be very effective in both of those areas. The Patriots would would get more out of Cooks than the Saints did because they liked to run him vertically but they didn’t do enough with him underneath.

It is obvious that the Saints are looking to trade Cooks because his rookie contract is expiring after next season and they see Michael Thomas as the number one receiver on their roster moving forward. Contrary to what some people are saying in the industry, Cooks is available. 

The Patriots have to do whatever they can to acquire Cooks. Belichick likes to turn the roster over every off-season. He believes in getting younger because that is what allows the Patriots to contend. 

With Danny Amendola and Julien Edelman nearing the end of their contracts, acquiring Cooks makes a lot of sense for the Patriots. Belichick has to put a deal together to make it happen.