The New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Brandin Cooks finally parted ways last week.
Cooks was released by the Saints on Saturday, which sent him to waivers. Then, on Monday, Cooks cleared waivers, which allows him to sign with any team in free agency.
With Cooks now hitting the open market, On SI's Patrick McAvoy suggested three landing spots for him, the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots.
A six-time 1,000-yard wide receiver, Cooks isn't the same player he once was and has been on the decline for a few years now, but he's still got enough gas left in the tank to serve as a solid depth piece in a passing attack.
The Lions already have a fairly crowded situation at wide receiver, but perhaps they would consider adding him with Kalif Raymond, Isaac TeSlaa and Sam LaPorta all dealing with injuries. LaPorta in particular might be out for the season.
In New England, the Patriots have a solid one-two punch at wide receiver with Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to add some more depth for Drake Maye as the Patriots make their playoff push.
The Rams are also another logical candidate to make a move for Cooks, as the team lacks reliable depth behind their stars, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Cooks has also played under Rams head coach Sean McVay before.
If we were to put those three teams in order from most to least likely to sign Cooks, it would go Rams, Patriots, Lions.
Another team to keep an eye on is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who desperately need help at wide receiver behind DK Metcalf, and more so than Los Angeles, New England and Detroit.
But Cooks is going to have a say in the matter and chances are he's going to be looking for a team that gives him the best chance to win a Super Bowl.
While Pittsburgh has a shot to make the playoffs, they aren't likely to go further than that, and their prospects of postseason success aren't as good as the teams mentioned by McAvoy.
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