New England Patriots: 4 Risers and Fallers From Patriots OTAs
Brandin Cooks, WR: Riser
The fan-favorite of New England’s offseason additions, Brandin Cooks, has done a superb job standing out this spring. The former Saints wide receiver was shipped to New England in March for a package of the Patriots draft picks.
Pats fans all over got their first glimpse of the team’s new wide receiver via a video from Mike Reiss last Tuesday:
More of this to come in the future? Tom Brady connects with Brandin Cooks as offense works against air (no defense). pic.twitter.com/rX32sI33LN
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 6, 2017
With 4.33-second speed, New England may have its best vertical threat in years. According to Jeff Howe, construction on the Brady-Cooks connection is well underway:
Tom Brady completed four passes to Brandin Cooks today, more than anyone else.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 6, 2017
Last Wednesday, during the second day of minicamp, Howe described Cooks as “the real deal”:
Brandin Cooks is the real deal. He's got a different gear, connected on a deep post from Brady and exploded on a drag route from Garoppolo.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) June 7, 2017
Cooks finished last season with 78 grabs for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns. His second consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. According to NESN’s Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN), on Tuesday, Cooks made an impressive catch on former Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler:
Brandin Cooks made the catch of the day around Malcolm Butler. Butler responded later by breaking up two passes. Harvey Langi had a pick.
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) June 13, 2017
If OTAs and minicamp are any indications of what Cooks will bring to New England in 2017, the hype is well deserved. Throughout the summer he and Brady will continue to build chemistry and become better synchronized with one another.