With Los Angeles Rams wideout Brandin Cooks on the trade block, I look at five potential teams who should acquire the former 1st round pick.
Brandin Cooks has been well-traveled, to say the least. In his short six-year career, Cooks has been the No. 1 wide receiver for three different teams and has been a perennial success with all of them.
Cooks started his professional career with the New Orleans Saints, who drafted him in the first round out of Oregon State. After an underwhelming rookie year, Cooks exploded onto the scene with two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, operating as the No. 1 wide receiver in Sean Payton’s offense. However, after Michael Thomas put up 92 catches for 1,172 yards and nine touchdowns in his 2016 rookie season, the Saints felt they could move on from Cooks and address other needs on the roster.
The Saints sent Cooks to the New England Patriots in exchange for the 32nd overall pick in the 2017 draft. Cooks immediately took over as the main outside receiver and deep threat for Tom Brady, accumulating over 1,000 yards in his first season with the Patriots.
After getting injured against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, Cooks was once again flipped for a first-round pick, the 23rd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Los Angeles Rams, who were building a solid receiving core with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, elected to let Sammy Watkins walk in free agency and allow Cooks to take his place. Cooks shined once again, putting up a 1,000-yard output for his fourth consecutive season en route to a Super Bowl appearance versus his former team.
Last season, however, Cooks fell victim to a bevy of injuries and regression from his quarterback Jared Goff. The offensive line failed to hold up in pass protection, causing Cooks’ target share and overall performance to suffer. As the Rams switched to more 12-personnel packages later in the season, Cooks saw his snaps decline in favor of Josh Reynolds, who was a much more established blocker.
Now that the Rams are strapped for cash and lacking in draft capital, there have been reports that Cooks has been put on the trade block. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Rams will be accepting offers to move Cooks to his fourth NFL franchise.
Aside from Todd Gurley, the Rams have also made Brandin Cooks available in a trade as they attempt to trim salary and restock their draft picks, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) March 19, 2020
Despite coming off of a disappointing season, Cooks remains a talented receiver who has shown consistent production throughout his NFL career. I will take a look at five teams who could take a shot on Cooks and help him return to his 1,000-yard status.