Brandin Cooks put on a show full of highlight-reel catches

Cooks connected with Tom Brady on several deep balls, and some shorter routes as well, as the two continued to “build a rapport,” as the quarterback said last week.

The 5-foot-10-inch, 189-pounder Cooks thrilled the crowd several times but pulled off his best catch late.

Lined up in the slot to Brady’s left, Cooks was given only phantom coverage from linebacker Paul Posluszny and wasn’t picked up in the secondary. Cooks turned around in the end zone and — without a Jaguar in sight — snagged Brady’s high throw with one hand before sticking the landing in the back of the end zone.

Brady was under some pressure in the pocket, and the possibility exists he would have been sacked under real game conditions. If fact, it looked almost like he was throwing it away but Cooks would have none of it.

The play drew the loudest cheer of the day and reached a decibel normally reserved for when Brady connects with tight end Rob Gronkowski or receiver Julian Edelman.

Cooks, whose blazing speed and quickness have been on display since the day camp opened, gave a preview of his big day during the first round of 11 on 11s.

Cooks zoomed off the line and easily got past the Jacksonville secondary — cornerback A.J. Bouye and free safety Barry Church were trailing badly. Brady launched a bomb and Cooks, who appeared to slow just a hair, dropped the ball. Though the pass fell incomplete, it sent a clear message that Cooks could torch this defense.

For his second big play, Cooks again got behind the coverage with relative ease — this time it was Bouye and strong safety Tashaun Gipson who were victimized — before hauling a Brady rainbow over his shoulder for what would have been a 50-plus yard score. The play drew a huge reaction from fans as it happened right in the corner where both bleachers meet.

The Jaguars were actually called for penalty on the play (Pete Morelli’s crew was on hand) and Bill Belichick took the rare step of accepting (presumably to keep his offense on the field for the work), and Brady hit Chris Hogan for a deep TD down the left sideline on the next play.

Cooks had a pair of catches shortly after his one-handed grab. He snatched a quick sideline hit from Brady followed by a nifty catch on an end zone fade, again drawing loud approvals. It was the last of his seven catches on the day. Bouye was the defender on both throws.

Watch: Ben Volin and Jim McBride talk Patriots-Jaguars joint practice No. 1

Bouye, who signed a five-year, $67.5 million deal this offseason, was impressed and believes going against Cooks will sharpen his game.

“He adds that deep threat, even while we were in post safety, you could see Brady was able to throw it over the post safety and expect Cooks to outrun the corner and the safety,” said Bouye. “So just the deep threat that he adds, you got to play a little softer even while you’re pressing, but you have to play on top, and he has great route craft, I feel like he’s going to make their DBs and us better this week.”

Cooks’s track star speed gives this Patriots offense — already a potent unit — another dimension. He’s also shown this summer that he’s no one-trick pony. Cooks has the versatility to line up in the slot and on the edge and can handle the short passing game as well as the vertical game.

“He’s a great player, great dude, and he works super hard,’’ said Gronkowski. “Not surprised at all to see him making plays like that [because] you see how hard the kid works.”

Malcolm Butler, who has been battling with Cooks for three straight summers — the previous two during joint sessions and exhibition games against the Saints — was asked how it felt to see his nemesis-turned-teammate going up against the Jaguars Monday.

“It felt pretty good,’’ the cornerback said with a smile and a nod. “Pretty good.”

Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.