Brandin Cooks is still unsigned, but the longtime NFL veteran is hoping that changes in the coming weeks. Originally selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, the Oregon State product had one of the most unique careers in recent memory, playing for the Saints, Patriots, Rams, Texans, Cowboys, and then the Saints again before joining the Buffalo Bills midway thorugh the 2025 season. Appearing in five games while making two starts, the veteran wideout finished his Bills tenure with five receptions for 114 yards and no touchdowns on 11 targets.
Despite the addition of D.J. Moore, Buffalo could still use some more talent at the wide receiver position, and Brandin Cooks is hoping to reunite with Josh Allen and company. However, agent Ryan Tollner recently said that multiple contenders have made offers for the wide receiver. It sounds like Cooks will be playing somewhere next year, and the following three teams are the most likely destinations.
3 Teams That Could Sign Brandin Cooks
Buffalo Bills
Brandin Cooks wants to reunite with the Buffalo Bills, and the feeling should be mutual. After all, Brandon Beane already said the two sides were engaged in contract talks. However, since then, the team acquired D.J. Moore and used a fourth-round pick on UConn’s Skyler Bell. The jury is still out on whether or not the Bills need Cooks, but it couldn’t hurt to add him. Even with the additions to the room, this team still needs someone who can stretch the field.
Moore and veteran Khalil Shakir do most of their damage in the short and intermediate parts of the field, and guys like Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer, and Mecole Hardman are nothing more than depth players. Brandin Cooks is not the player he once was, but he averaged 22.8 yards per reception with Allen last year. He won’t start for this team, but he could be a good situational deep threat who can make opposing defenses stay out of the box.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens love these low-risk, high-reward signings at the wide receiver position, and Brandin Cooks could be the next aging veteran to catch passes from Lamar Jackson. Zay Flowers is the unquestioned leader of the receiving game, but this team should try to get more depth at the position. Whether it’s Odell Beckham or DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore usually invests in a proven commodity to provide depth in the passing attack. Even with John Harbaugh on the Giants, this team-building philosophy should stay the same, and Cooks is the ideal candidate for a cheap, one-year deal.
New Orleans Saints
Why not? Brandin Cooks entered the league with the New Orleans Saints, and the wide receiver briefly reunited with the team in 2025. While he only lasted 10 games with the club, a reunion would make plenty of sense for both sides. While he finished his second Saints tenure with 19 receptions for 165 yards and no touchdowns, most of his games came with Spencer Rattler under center. Rattler had his moments, but he’s not as good as Louisville’s Tyler Shough. While it’s too early to officially label him a legitimate franchise quarterback, the second-round pick looked the part down the stretch.
At this stage in his career, Brandin Cooks is too old to be a three-down starter. However, he could be an ideal depth piece with the Saints. Chris Olave is a proven weapon on the outside, and first-round pick Jordyn Tyson has the potential to be one of the league’s better wide receivers. Cooks is an ideal fit as a depth option behind those two, who can stretch the field in small doses and help a young player like Tyson reach his potential. The NFC South is wide open, and New Orleans has a good a shot of anyone of claiming the division. The Saints haven’t been to the playoffs since Drew Brees was under center, and Cooks could help this team make it back to the playoffs.
