Team news: Dallas Cowboys | Page 82

Saints WR Brandin Cooks will spend two weeks working out with QB Drew Brees before training camp begins.

The Saints spread the ball around, but not only do they have to replace the departed Lance Moore, the team has to also replace the production of Darren Sproles in the receiving game. The two combined for 143 targets in 2013, so while we're expecting Kenny Stills to see a larger role, there are targets for the speedy Cooks as well.

Saints beat writer Brian Alle-Walsh predicted that top draft pick WR/PR Brandin Cooks will contend for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

The Saints spread the ball around, but not only do they have to replace the departed Lance Moore, the team has to also replace the production of Darren Sproles in the receiving game. The two combined for 143 targets in 2013, so while we're expecting Kenny Stills to see a larger role, there are targets for the speedy Cooks as well.

Saints WR Robert Meachem compared WR Brandin Cooks' athleticism to that of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin, who when healthy was one of the NFL's most dangerous weapons.

"He's quick and he's fast. He's one of those guys you can put at any position and be an athlete like we used to do with (Darren Sproles), like we used to do with (Reggie Bush)," Meachem said. "You just put him in certain situations and let him be an athlete. You give him the ball and say 'Do what you do.'

"You have the Percy Harvins of the league, and you just say 'Do what you do.' Let him play ball."

The Saints spread the ball around, but not only do they have to replace the departed Lance Moore, the team has to also replace the production of Darren Sproles in the receiving game. The two combined for 143 targets in 2013, so while we're expecting Kenny Stills to see a larger role, there are targets for the speedy Cooks as well.

While Saints QB Drew Brees was quick to note again that “I don’t think you just replace a Darren Sproles,” he gave a nod to the top four backs on the depth chart – then brought up the Saints’ top draft pick, speedy receiver Brandin Cooks, who could be earmarked for big things as a rookie.

“Even though Darren Sproles played the running back position, we were creative with him,” Brees told USA TODAY Sports. “We did a lot of things with him out of the backfield. We’d split him out. We’d throw him screens. We’d do all kinds of stuff with him. So, that role can be filled by maybe even a receiver.

“Hey, we go out in the draft and get a guy in Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State – an explosive player, great speed, great talent, tremendous young man, loves to learn, loves the game of football. … From all indications, this guy can do a lot of things for us, and he’s eager to fill a role that we need him to on offense.”

The Saints spread the ball around, but not only do they have to replace the departed Lance Moore, the team has to also replace the production of Darren Sproles in the receiving game. The two combined for 143 targets in 2013, so while we're expecting Kenny Stills to see a larger role, there are targets for the speedy Cooks as well.

Saints WR Kenny Stills has certainly been seeing a ton of targets during these offseason practices. In fact, he's probably been the Saints' leader in receptions with the first-string offense -- highlighted by his touchdown catch in the Saints' two-minute drill simulation at the end of Thursday's practice.

With tight end Jimmy Graham and receiver Brandin Cooks absent over the past three weeks and former players like Lance Moore and Darren Sproles now gone from the lineup, Stills has been a go-to guy for quarterback Drew Brees.

And this year, his role should probably expand after he was used primarily as a deep threat.

"Kenny can play inside. It would depend on the route, but he's someone that is pretty versatile. He can play more than one position," Payton said. "He is someone that can handle that, so we have to continue to get him different looks and touches.

"He's someone that after looking at him last year, we have to find a way to get him the ball more. His transition, ability to stretch the field and use his hips to get in and out of cuts is something that has helped him."

Stills figures to see a jump in snaps and targets after the Saints lost both Lance Moore and Darren Sproles, who saw a combined 143 targets last year. Stills should get at minimum the 5.5 T/G that Moore saw in the past three years, making him an intriguing WR3 with upside. The arrival of Brandin Cooks does take some of the wind out his sails, but that should only serve to keep his ADP at a reasonable level. Drew Brees had a QB rating of 139.3 when throwing to Stills, the highest in the league. He’s bound to improve as a second year receiver and is playing in one of the best pass offenses in the league. There’s a lot to like here. (For more on Stills, see the Sleeper Alert that John Paulsen issued for the second-year receiver.)

Saints WR Nick Toon said he feels more comfortable with each passing year, and he's started to put together the second of two nice offseasons. Toon was showcased often in the three days of minicamp practice, and outside of one bad drop, he put together several nice plays.

It's clear the Saints see potential in the relatively inexperienced receiver, who spent 2012 on injured reserve. HC Sean Payton didn't talk in terms of roster spots when asked about Toon. Instead, he said he envisioned a bigger plan for him.

"I would expect him to play a bigger role for our offense this season," Payton said. "He's doing well here in this offseason. His progress is important to us. With the loss of a number of players, particularly Lance Moore, I think you'll see more snaps for him and more opportunities."

Marques Colston, Kenny Stills and Brandin Cooks are considered locks to make the final roster, and the Saints typically carry five wide receivers, so Toon is competing with Robert Meachem and Joe Morgan (among others) for the final two spots. From a fantasy standpoint, he won't have much value if he's the Saints' WR4, but he's a player to monitor as the offseason (and attrition) wears on.

New Orleans Saints fans might be worried that first-round draft pick Brandin Cooks could be missing out on valuable learning experiences with the team, but coach Sean Payton quelled that assumption after Thursday's practice.

While Cooks hasn't been allowed to participate in the Saints' organized team activities or minicamp because Oregon State is still in session, he has been in communication with the team since participating in the rookie minicamp last month.

"What we're allowed to do is basically in the evenings we have kind of an online time where we go through practice tape and go through the installation," Payton said. "He was here through the rookie camp and he was able to take the book back with him and work through page by page."

The Saints spread the ball around, but not only do they have to replace the departed Lance Moore, the team has to also replace the production of Darren Sproles in the receiving game. The two combined for 143 targets in 2013, so while we're expecting Kenny Stills to see a larger role, there are targets for the speedy Cooks as well.

Saints QB Drew Brees on WR Nick Toon: "I think he has come along extremely well. I’ve been very impressed with some of the things I’ve seen from him out here. He’s another big target that can run well, he transitions very well for a big guy. You watch the way he catches the ball sometimes and it’s so confident, he goes and he goes after it and plucks it. He’s very natural and confident when he catches the ball which you like to see. I think he can have big contributions on this team. I know that it’s extremely competitive with the receiver position right now with a lot of guys fighting for spots but he’s certainly right in the mix.”

Toon is going to struggle to see snaps behind Marques Colston, Kenny Stills and (probably) Brandin Cooks, but he appears to be earning a roster spot with a strong offseason.

Saints WR Kenny Stills made a great effort to come back for a diving catch after Drew Brees chucked one to him from all the way across the field on the run in full-team drills. Stills also made a nifty one-handed catch in earlier passing drills, among other nice catches.

Stills has looked good throughout offseason workouts this year. He certainly looks like he’s ready to keep rising after a breakout rookie year. And HC Sean Payton said after re-watching the film from last season, the Saints felt they needed to get Stills some more opportunities this year.

Stills figures to see a jump in snaps and targets after the Saints lost both Lance Moore and Darren Sproles, who saw a combined 143 targets last year. Stills should get at minimum the 5.5 T/G that Moore saw in the past three years, making him an intriguing WR3 with upside. The arrival of Brandin Cooks does take some of the wind out his sails, but that should only serve to keep his ADP at a reasonable level. Drew Brees had a QB rating of 139.3 when throwing to Stills, the highest in the league. He’s bound to improve as a second year receiver and is playing in one of the best pass offenses in the league. There’s a lot to like here.

It's hard to imagine running back Travaris Cadet playing a huge role for the New Orleans Saints this year because he's stuck in such a deep position group.

But then again, it's hard to ignore how many opportunities the third-year pro has been getting so far in offseason practices -- and how well he's taking advantage of them.

Cadet has been showing off his speed and elusiveness while both running the football and catching passes out of the backfield.

If he keeps this up throughout training camp and the preseason, Cadet may indeed get a chance to take over a big chunk of that runner/receiver role that Darren Sproles played in New Orleans' offense before being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

Cadet could step in and (partially) fill the role vacated by Darren Sproles, but the Saints also want to get Khiry Robinson more work in the backfield and drafted Brandin Cooks to man the slot.