With The First Pick
Fansided

Sean Smith Will Bounce Back Against the Atlanta Falcons

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) runs past Oakland Raiders defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and defensive back Sean Smith (21) and outside linebacker Ben Heeney (50) for a 98 yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and receiver Brandin Cooks (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Ascending Stars

Cooks went No. 20 overall to the Saints draft and Snead went to them undrafted in 2014. Saints’ all-time receiver Marques Colston was still there and the No. 1 receiver. And Kenny Stills was their deep threat when they got to New Orleans so their ascension was gradual.

Cooks struggled with injuries and physical corners in press coverage as a rookie. Meanwhile, Snead barely made the team so he didn’t see the field at all as a rookie. But in 2015, they would both make a big jump to Year 2 and shine a little.

Cooks had 84 catches for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns while Snead had 69, 84 and three. His health allowed him to play in all 16 games, starting in 13 while Snead played in 15, starting nine.   Cooks made notable improvements against press coverage too.

Head coach Sean Payton and Brees know what to do with players like that. So the Saints cut Colston and traded deep threat Kenny Stills with exciting plans for them in Year 3. We’ll hear much more about Cooks and Snead as the year goes on.

Next: Matchup Nightmare

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