Report: Saints rejected Patriots' 1st-round pick in offer for Cooks

The New Orleans Saints rejected the New England Patriots' 2017 first-round selection in a trade proposal for wide receiver Brandin Cooks, Josh Katzenstein of The Times-Picayune reports.

New England holds the No. 32 overall pick in this spring's draft.

Cooks has also drawn interest from the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans.

The 23-year-old was selected 20th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Saints out of Oregon State.

Cooks recorded consecutive 1,100-plus yard campaigns, providing Drew Brees with a top-flight downfield weapon. Playing in all 16 games last season, Cooks caught 78 passes for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns, forming an outstanding receiver duo alongside Michael Thomas.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis indicated that the team is searching for a massive return in exchange for Cooks. Sources told Katzenstein that the Saints are aiming for a mid-first-round pick this spring.