The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be leading the NFC South but, at this point, winning it isn't a guarantee. That's because the wide receiver position has been riddled with injuries in Tampa this year with both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin missing a significant amount of time.
While Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson have played well, especially for rookies, the Bucs could use some help. They could really use a veteran presence to step in and help Baker Mayfield out on offense.
Fortunately, one just became available and it's a name that Bucs fans know all too well. That would be Brandin Cooks, who was drafted by the Saints in the 2014 NFL Draft. Cooks played for the Saints for three years before getting traded and then becoming a journeyman wide receiver over the next several seasons. He rejoined the Saints for whatever reason this offseason but the two reportedly have [mutually agreed to part ways](https://x.com/nick_underhill/status/1991187252852965411?s=46).
This could play right into the Buccaneers' hands as they need a veteran wide receiver and Cooks fits that mold perfectly.
Bucs stumble into dream Chris Godwin replacement at perfect time
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Cooks doesn't necessarily have eye-popping stats this year, tallying just 19 catches for 165 yards in 10 games with the Saints. He's yet to have more than 26 yards in a single game this season but the Saints' abysmal offensive attack surely factors into that.
In Tampa, he'd have a better quarterback throwing to him and that makes all the difference. He wasn't a big part of the Saints offense and that's likely why he wanted out of New Orleans, so that he could go somewhere and flourish. If he joined the Bucs, he'd also be joining a playoff contender, which wouldn't have been the case for him in New Orleans.
There's also the fact that Cooks joining the Bucs would infuriate Saints fans and that's the most perfect reason of them all. The two teams play again in Week 14 so Cooks would have a chance to put up some numbers against his former team.
This just makes too much sense not to happen so hopefully Jason Licht picks up the phone and gives Cooks' agent a call.