Saints M.I.A.’s Who Need to Show Up to Jumpstart the 2016 Season

Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

#1 BRANDIN COOKS, WIDE RECEIVER

Cooks began the year with an absolutely monster performance against the Oakland Raiders, but since then has fallen far off the radar.

Part of the reason for this was that extra attention was paid to Cooks by opposing defenses, particularly with the injury to fellow wide-out Willie Snead.

This did however give the opportunity for rookie WR Michael Thomas to show us all that he has a bright future in the Black and Gold.

Many of us, myself included, felt that Cooks was ready to take the next step and be considered within the “elite” group of wide-outs in the NFL.

For him to do this, he must produce in situations even when defenses know that he will consistently be the passing game’s first option — just as other “elite” WR’s like the Steelers’ Antonio Brown (who Cooks is most often compared to) are able to do on a weekly basis.