Saints Fantasy 2015: The 5 Players Ready to Make an Impact

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Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) in the third quarter of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Brandin Cooks:

ESPN: WR 16

Yahoo!: WR 16

NFL: WR 16

With Jimmy Graham gone Drew Brees will be looking for a new number one target this season, and Brandin Cooks in the leading candidate to become just that.

He had an up and down rookie season last year, not uncommon for receivers, and managed 550 yards on 53 catches. Do not be surprised if you see that yardage total double this year. Cooks has tremendous speed and agility on the outside and is the fastest Saints wide out since Devery Henderson. His ability to make a catch in traffic puts him on the next level from the traditional burners like Henderson though.

The big plays from the passing game this year will likely be courtesy of Cooks. If all goes well by season’s end, 60 yard touchdown passes to Cooks will be no more surprising than a CJ Spiller injury (Too soon?).

There are a couple of things that may hold Cooks back a bit. He was not often utilized down the field last season, and instead found himself catching a lot of passes in the backfield. Though he has the speed to make those types of plays work, he will have to prove to Brees and the coaching staff that he can run elite routes to get himself open everywhere on the field.

He also has trouble getting off of the line occasionally when the defensive back on him presses. It is impossible to utilize speed if you are not moving, so getting past the line of scrimmage in time is definitely important. Brees will be looking for Cooks a lot this season, but he will be getting sacked time and time again if his top guy is being shut down in the flat.

Skills like route running and releasing from the line can be worked on and improved tremendously in practice. If these are the only problems that have affected Cooks (which they seem to be), he is a prime breakout candidate for this season, and could end up the number one receiver on many successful fantasy teams.

Next: The Quiet Storm