Jackson Free Press

The future direction of the New Orleans Saints might take shape over the next five days at the NFL Combine. New Orleans and the other 31 teams will be in Indianapolis to watch the players but also to discuss trades on their rosters or in the coming draft.

Potential trade talks could be important for the http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18805629/new-orleans-saints-brandin-cooks-radar-eagles-titans">Saints with reports that they may soon trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks. Many media sources expect that both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tennessee Titans could be potential suitors for a trade.

The Titans own the http://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/18778665/2017-nfl-draft-order-every-pick-every-team">fifth and 18th pick of the first round, and could move up and down in the draft if they want to make a deal. New Orleans has the 11th pick of the first round but adding a second first round pick could get the Saints to make a deal.

If the Titans gave the Saints their 18th pick with some other picks thrown in, it could allow New Orleans to rebuild its defense with some instant starters and playmakers.

The Saints need a http://www.espn.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/25541/saints-should-focus-on-pass-rushers-cornerbacks-at-combine">pass-rusher, cornerback and http://www.espn.com/blog/new-orleans-saints/post/_/id/25547/stephone-anthonys-drop-off-makes-linebacker-a-must-for-saints">linebacker help, and could get one of those in the first round if they make a deal. This is a good draft year for defense, and there will be plenty of talent available deep in the first round.

It would be intriguing if the Titans wanted to swap the fifth pick and the 11th pick for Cooks. That fifth pick could mean New Orleans might be looking for a quarterback, but this is a weak draft for that position.

New Orleans could try to get a quarterback to replace Drew Brees, who is 38 and heading into the final year of his contract. That leaves the Saints with two options. First, they could rebuild the defense quickly with this trade and free agency, and second, they could get ready for life without Brees behind center.

Cooks’ speed makes him a great offensive weapon, but he did lash out in the media after getting zero targets in the Saints’ blowout win over the Los Angeles Rams. He made 78 catches for 1,123 yards and eight touchdowns in 2016.

New Orleans found a nice surprise in second-round pick wide receiver Michael Thomas. That doesn’t mean Cooks is expendable, but it does mean New Orleans could find a cheaper player in the draft this year if they make a trade.

The Saints can rebuild their defense through free agency but will do it without http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18793826/new-orleans-saints-intend-release-jairus-byrd">2014 free-agent pick Jairus Byrd. Reports suggest that the Saints plan on cutting the disappointing and often-injured safety, as he was never the same player for the Saints that he had been for the Buffalo Bills.

Currently, the Saints have http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18799620/salary-cap-flexibility-grades-all-32-nfl-teams-2017">$21 million to $30 million in cap space, and depending on how they release Byrd, they could add nearly $10 million more to that number. That should give New Orleans the funds to fix its porous defense or to add a wide receiver, should it decide to trade Cooks.

Since the new league year doesn’t start until March 9 at 3 p.m., Cooks can’t be traded until that moment. But New Orleans can get a deal done at the Combine and have a solid plan of attack in free agency before the year starts.

If New Orleans does trade Cooks to any team, they need to win the trade. They need to get as many picks as possible and then use those picks to get players that instantly help next season.

The Saints future could be set before they leave the Combine.