5 teams who could trade for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks

After being left out of the New Orleans Saints’ offense in Week 12, wide receiver Brandin Cooks may want out. Here are five teams that could make an offseason trade for him.

In Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams, the New Orleans Saints piled up 555 yards of offense and scored 49 points. But absent from that output was wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who was not even targeted by Drew Brees in the game.

Part of Cooks’ lack of involvement can be chalked up to extra attention from the Rams’ secondary, but the third-year wideout still expressed frustration with his role in the Saints’ offense. Head coach Sean Payton immediately said he is not concerned about Cooks’ frustration, which sets him up to possibly be force-fed targets on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

That said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has suggested the Saints could explore trading Cooks during the offseason. That seems like an overreaction, but there would be a trade market for Cooks if he’s really made available.

Here are five teams that could consider making a deal for Cooks.

5. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have a highly unimpressive group of wide receivers, consisting of veterans (Torrey Smith, Jeremy Kerley, Rod Streater) and young players (Quinton Patton, Aaron Burbridge). Chip Kelly proved during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles that he doesn’t need great wide receivers to have a productive offense, but the 49ers’ need for a talent infusion at the position pre-dates his tenure as head coach.

49ers’ general manager Trent Baalke may be fired after the season, and it’s worth wondering if Kelly will take on a stronger role in personnel decisions at that point. But no matter who the lead man in San Francisco’s front office is, Cooks should be a trade target.