4 Former Patriots New England Should Sign for a Reunion in 2025 Free Agency

1. Brandin Cooks, WR

The 31-year-old Cooks has spent time with the Rams, Texans, and Cowboys since playing one season for the Patriots in 2017. One of the NFL's more underrated receivers over the past decade, Cooks has recorded 1,000 receiving yards in more than half of his 11 NFL seasons.

In his lone season with the Patriots, Cooks put up a 65-1082-7 stat line, as his last game in New England ended with a Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Cooks suffered a head injury in the first half of that game and would not return.

Looking at the Patriots' receiving room currently, they are in need of a veteran like Cooks. He's familiar with Josh McDaniels and his offensive scheme and would also provide mentorship toward young Patriots receivers Ja'Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte, and Demario Douglas.

In 2024, Cooks battled a knee infection that sidelined him for seven games. In ten games for the Cowboys, he recorded 26 receptions, 259 yards, and three touchdowns.

Two seasons ago, with a healthy Dak Prescott, Cooks recorded 657 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as the Cowboys had one the NFL's best passing offenses.

Although Cooks may have lost a step from previous years, he would still be a consistent contributor for a New England receiving core that ranks among the NFL's worst. The Stockton, CA native would provide Drake Maye with a veteran pass-catcher outside of Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne.

While it's not an AJ Brown or DK Metcalf-type acquisition, it would allow the Patriots to improve one of their weakest positions without having to break the bank. New England also holds nine draft picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, which they could use to address the receiver position.

Bringing Cooks in on a one-year "prove it" deal would help accelerate the growth of Drake Maye while giving the Patriots a reliable receiver who's proven he can produce in any situation throughout his career.