The New Orleans Saints announced Saturday, March 11 that they have agreed to a trade to acquire from the New England Patriots their first round draft pick (32nd overall) and third round selection (103rd overall) in the 2017 NFL draft in exchange for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and New Orleans' fourth round draft choice (118th overall) in 2017 pending Cooks passing a physical and NFL approval. The announcement was made by Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Cooks (5 feet 10, 189 pounds), was selected by New Orleans in the first round (20th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft out of Oregon State. In three seasons with New Orleans, Cooks posted totals of 215 receptions for 2,861 yards (13.3 avg.) with 20 touchdowns, also adding one rushing score. In 2016, he led New Orleans in receiving yardage for the second consecutive season with 78 receptions for a career-high 1,173 yards (15.0 avg.) with nine touchdowns.

Following the trade, the Saints will have seven selections in the 2017 NFL Draft: two first round picks (11th and 32nd overall), one second round pick (42nd overall), two third round picks (76th and 103rd), one sixth round pick (196th) and one seventh round selection (229th).