Report: Eagles offered Malcolm Jenkins for Brandin Cooks

The Eagles offered Malcolm Jenkins and two draft picks for Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks, reports Pro Football Talk.

Before the Saints agreed to trade receiver Brandin Cooks to the Patriots, the Saints had other offers. One offer came from the Eagles.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Saints offered safety Malcolm Jenkins, a third-round pick, and a fourth-round pick for Cooks. The Saints wanted a second-round pick plus Jenkins.

That’s a bombshell. And one that’s hard to believe. Jenkins is firmly one of the Eagles leaders and best players. Further, he signed a contract extension last year, trading him would save just $1.5 million against the cap.

If true, and if it happened, the trade would in a sense make up for issues for both teams from 2014. The Eagles had targeted drafting Cooks but the Saints traded up ahead of them two spots to draft him. Earlier that offseason the Saints let Jenkins walk so they could sign Jairus Byrd, who was released this year after missing 16 games in three seasons and being a bust on the field.