The New Orleans Saints didn’t make too much use of rookie Brandin Cooks during his first season in the NFL, but things are going to change in 2015, with two of the team’s top three receivers leaving.

Jimmy Graham is in Seattle, Kenny Stills in Miami. That’s 148 receptions, 1820 yards and 13 touchdowns to try and make up. That’s where Cooks comes in, as he’ll be the number one target for Drew Brees on offense. The Saints didn’t draft any wide receivers, only adding a running back in the 7th round.

Cooks caught 53 passes for 550 yards and three touchdowns. Considering Brees had Ingram, Stills and Marques Colston to throw to, that’s not bad at all – something definitely worthy of building upon. Colston is still around, but he’ll be entering his 10th NFL season and he has finished shy of the 1000 yard mark in receiving yards mark in the last couple of seasons.

Cooks missed six games last season because of a hand injury that ended his season prematurely, “helping” the Saints miss the playoffs. He hasn’t had any issues in the offseason and should become the main “man” for Brees to throw to, which also means less or no return duty at all for him, with Jalen Saunders and Marcus Murphy more likely to take over.

Hat Tip: Nola.com