is this is where this is headed? is he going to lead the NFL in a major receiving category so he'll all of a sudden become the best next year?

Cooks is a good player going to a great fit. although New Orleans was that too. talent-wise, he lacks physical strength to shed tackles after the catch (which is why he's never been top ten in 20-yard receptions). he can struggle on 50/50 balls because he doesn't have a great catch radius. he lacks the size to be an elite red-zone threat. these are all skills that other top receivers do better than him.

coincidentally, Cooks' athleticism translates into a slightly faster Julian Edelman, who is a little slower version of Deion Branch. he's a huge get for New England because it lets Brady dominate the space between the hashes -- they have two killers they can put in the slot and no defense can spend extra resources against either. Cooks can play flanker as well, giving them a true pick-your-poison alignment with Gronk and White/Lewis out of the backfield. it's going to be hell on safeties and limit the coverage switches you can declare against Brady.

great trade, great addition for Brady, but he's not the best receiver in the NFL, or even top five.