Saints trade up to select wide receiver Brandin Cooks with No. 20 pick

Click here to access our NFL Draft Tracker, which includes all seven rounds, trades and rumors.

The New Orleans Saints traded their third-round pick (No. 91 overall) to the Arizona Cardinals to move up to No. 20 overall to select receiver Brandin Cooks out of Oregon State.

A receiver that is a true deep threat is difficult to find, but the Saints should have one now in Cooks. 

Cooks can stretch a defense with his elite speed and make big plays down the field look routine. He won the Biletnikoff award in 2013 as well as setting conference and school records for catches and receiving yards last year. His 24 career touchdown receptions are an Oregon State record.  

Despite his small frame, Cooks has proven to be durable, as he never missed a game in college. He is not only going to help the Saints' receiving corps, but will be an asset on special teams as well. He returned punts in his final season with the Beavers and can change the momentum of games in that area. 

Cooks' value should have an effect on other members of the Saints, too. By pushing the defense down field he should open up space for underneath routes from other pass catchers.