Saints free agent report card: Was Brandin Cooks worth the investment?

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The New Orleans Saints added a familiar face to the wide receiver room last offseason, bringing back a former first-round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft to mentor a young, explosive core of pass catchers. Once one of the league’s most dangerous downfield threats himself, Brandin Cooks returned home to provide veteran leadership and experience to a room filled with similar skill sets.

Cooks, one of the most electric playmakers in recent Saints history, chose to come back to where it all began for the former 20-year-old standout out of Oregon State. This time, however, his role was different. Rather than being the focal point of the offense, Cooks embraced the responsibility of guiding emerging stars like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed -- two of the most dynamic young wide receivers in the league.

While his second stint in New Orleans ultimately proved to be a short one, his presence carried significance for a young offense still finding its identity. With free agency right around the corner, we continue our report card series on the Saints’ 2025 free-agent class, evaluating how each addition performed during the season in black and gold.

Up next: Brandin Cooks’ report card.

Free agent contract

Cooks signed a two-year contract last offseason worth $13 million, with $7.75 million guaranteed, including a $4.8 million signing bonus. His first-year cap hit came in at just $3.15 million at the time of his signing.

Snap counts

Cooks played the role of WR3 in the Saints offense to begin the year, logging in 422 snaps in 10 games with the team.

Season stats

Cooks finished his season with the Saints recording 19 catches for 165 yards, prior to his midseason departure.

Season recap, future outlook

Despite serving as a viable No. 3 option in the Saints’ offense, Brandin Cooks’ return ultimately proved to be a disappointment. With quarterback Spencer Rattler under center for most of his stint, Cooks struggled to carve out a meaningful role, averaging just over two targets per game and failing to command a consistent share of the offense.

The disconnect between Cooks and Rattler wasn’t necessarily a lack of chemistry, but rather a mismatch in play style. Rattler’s game did not lean heavily on downfield opportunities, limiting the impact of a receiver whose skill set is built around speed and vertical explosiveness.

As a result, Cooks’ abilities were never fully utilized within the Saints’ offensive structure, leading to his release following the Week 9 matchup against the Rams. Now in Buffalo, his big-play ability has once again surfaced alongside Josh Allen in the Bills’ offense -- clear evidence that Cooks still has something left in the tank. It simply wasn’t the right fit in New Orleans at the time.

Report card grade

Given the minimal production the Saints received from Cooks, combined with the guaranteed money tied to his contract, this signing ultimately stands out as a clear miss. Whether due to limited opportunity, offensive fit, or financial commitment, the Saints failed to generate a return on investment from Cooks during the 2025 season.

Grade: F

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints free agent report card: Was signing Brandin Cooks a good move?

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