Saints' Cooks looking to improve on 'OK' 1,138-yard season

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks had a breakout season in 2015, catching 84 passes for 1,138 yards, and nine touchdowns.

However, while Cooks said he was "extremely excited" after becoming the focal point of the Saints' passing attack, he refuses to label it a great season as he looks to improve in 2016.

"Last year was an OK season in my book. I left a lot of meat out there on the bone," Cooks said, according to John DeShazier of the Saints' official website.

"For that to be a 1,000-yard season, I'm so excited about what I can do this year from just getting smarter as a player, knowing how defenses are going to cover me."

The former first-round pick excelled late last season, putting together three 100-yard performances in the last five games of the campaign.

Now with longtime wideout Marques Colston gone, Cooks, despite being 22 years old, has become one of the veteran voices among the New Orleans receiving core - a role he's relishing.

"I'm excited with the guys that we have in this room so for me to be the oldest Saints receiver in the room, it's a wonderful thing because there are other guys on the squad that can take that same leadership. I'm looking forward to that, not only from a mental aspect but also on the field physically. I'm excited about that."