In ten games last season, New Orleans Saints rookie first-round wide receiver caught 53 passes for 550 yards and four total touchdowns. Those are solid numbers, but certainly not ground breaking. So why is Cooks a popular breakout pick for the 2015 season?
The second-year WR possesses a rare blend of quality hands, versatility (seven rushes for 74 yards and a TD last year), route-running ability and quickness that makes him a multi-faceted threat from all over the field. His rookie numbers may not have been eye popping but his natural ability and upside is. Fantasy football owners know that, sometimes, opportunity is just as important as talent. You know a guy like Denard Robinson has speed, but until last year he never had the chance to show it.
Cooks has both the raw talent and opportunity to make a big impact this year after the Saints traded away top target Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills. Given the offensive subtractions, Cooks stands to be quarterback Drew Brees' go-to target this year.
"Brees and Cooks appeared to be scratching the surface in 2014 right when Cooks sustained a season-ending hand injury," Larry Holder of NOLA.com wrote. "Cooks has been completely healthy and available this offseason and should only serve as a positive in their relationship.
"It's highly likely the Saints will pull Cooks off returns with the likes of Jalen Saunders and Marcus Murphy as more natural fits.
"Asking Cooks to become the team's No. 1 receiving threat so early in his career may not be optimal, but Cooks is more than able to assume the role."
New Orleans averaged 25 rush attempts per game last year, their highest mark since 2011. Expect that number to rise again with running back Mark Ingram coming off a career year and the additions of fellow ball carrier C.J. Spiller and All-Pro center Max Unger. While that may affect Cooks' target total, it won't impact his important role in this offense.
