Patriots WR Brandin Cooks wants to spend the rest of his career in New England

In March, the New England Patriots made one of the biggest trade in franchise history. The team sent first and third round draft picks to the New Orleans Saints in return for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a fourth round selection. Cooks, who entered the NFL as the 20th overall pick in the 2014 draft, joined New England with one year remaining on his rookie deal; two after the team picked up the fifth-year option.

If all goes according to the 24-year old's plans, however, his tenure with the team will extend beyond the 2018 season. “The goal is to play the rest of my career here,” Cooks recently told CBSSports.com before adding that he does not know what the future ultimately holds for him. “But this is a special place,” the wideout continued talking about New England.

Cooks has come to this conclusion after not even nine months with the team – and it is not hard to see why. After all, as opposed to New Orleans where he had to play second fiddle to Michael Thomas, Cooks is the Patriots' number one wide receiver. Yes, Tom Brady spreads the football around as well as anybody and the game plan changes according to opponent, but the Oregon State product still has put up very good numbers so far.

In his first 10 games in New England, Cooks has caught 45 passes for 786 yards and four scores. He leads the team in receiving yards, is second in receptions and third in touchdowns. And if he continues playing on this level the next one-and-a-half seasons, it is not hard to see the Patriots try to keep him long-term – if the price is right. Cooks quote above might help with that, though.