After shipping Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams, the New England Patriots now hold five picks in the first four rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Other than the trade for defensive tackle Danny Shelton, the New England Patriots had what would be considered a quiet offseason. That was until Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Nick Caserio traded Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams for their 2018 first-round pick. The movie may come as a head scratcher to some especially considering how productive the 24-year old receiver was in his sole season for the Pats.
The move obviously wasn’t one based on production. Instead, it looks like the Patriots made a move that doesn’t force them to make a huge financial commitment — something they’ve done for years. Simultaneously they have acquired picks to secure their future and provide them with the flexibility to move around the draft board. In 2017, the Pats had four picks in the entire draft and the Cooks trade officially gives the Patriots their second first-round pick (No. 23) in addition to the 43rd, 63rd and 95th picks, totaling five picks in the first three rounds.
When you consider that Josh McDaniels returned under speculation that he did so on a promise that he’ll take over the reigns as head coach one day, this may be the Patriots way of setting up for the long term. Additionally, with both Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski contemplating retirement, the move to acquire as many draft picks as possible is a smart one.
Speaking of the offense, at first glance, it appears that the Patriots have a ton of holes especially at wide receiver. However, they do have guys they trust on their roster. Julian Edelman is returning from a knee injury, while Chris Hogan led the league in yards per reception in 2016. Last season they traded for a deep threat in Phillip Dorsett, who will get a chance to shine without Cooks in the lineup, and Malcolm Mitchell caught 66 percent of his targets and four touchdown passes.
Meanwhile, they also signed a running back in Jeremy Hill who has yet to reach his full potential and is ideally paired with James White, giving the Pats the one-two punch they had with Blount and White during their last Super Bowl victory.
Now that the Patriots have these draft assets, the question remains, what will the Patriots do in the 2018 NFL Draft?