For whatever reason, Brandin Cooks is one of the most tradeable players in NFL history. Regardless of where he has been, Cooks has produced at a pretty high level, including six seasons of 1,000 yards receiving or more. That includes 1,000-yard seasons with the Saints, Patriots, Rams, and Texans.
Is there another 1,000-yard season on the way for Cooks in yet another NFL uniform? He’s been one of the most discussed players at the 2022 NFL trade deadline, and for obvious reasons. First of all, anytime the NFL trade deadline comes up, so does Cooks’ name. Even a new contract with the Texans isn’t preventing him from being talked about. Second, there are a lot of teams in the NFL right now looking for receiver help.
Brandin Cooks could end up in a variety of new NFL cities
Where could Cooks end up if he is, in fact, traded? It’s always a good idea to look not only at the most receiver-needy teams in the NFL, but teams that have previous connections with Cooks on their coaching staff. If a player has worked with a coaching staff in the past, it typically will give them an advantage in picking things up quickly, which is often a barrier for NFL trades getting done midseason.
Let’s look at some teams that could use Cooks and some teams that have coaches on the staff that could be the connection to get a deal done at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline.
1. Dallas Cowboys
In addition to having a need at the wide receiver position, the Dallas Cowboys have Robert Prince in place as their current wide receivers coach. Prince was the Houston Texans’ wide receivers coach last year so there’s an obvious familiarity there. I’m not sure Dallas is going to be the most aggressive team in going after a guy like Cooks, but it would make sense for them. They need another consistent option in the passing game outside of CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup.
2. Cleveland Browns
As the Browns get closer and closer to having Deshaun Watson back, this is a team that could really go a couple of different directions at the NFL trade deadline. Maybe they do a little selling (names like Kareem Hunt and Greedy Williams have come up) but maybe they also do a little bit of buying.
The Browns already traded for Amari Cooper this year but Brandin Cooks could come in and be a really nice piece who already has worked with Watson in the past. The two combined for 81 receptions and 1,150 yards in 2020 in Houston. Browns receivers coach Chad O’Shea was the wide receivers coach in New England during Cooks’ brief time there as well.
3. Green Bay Packers
The Packers don’t really have a clear and obvious connection to Brandin Cooks throughout the course of his NFL career. They are just currently one of the NFL teams that is obviously most desperate for help at the wide receiver position.
Aaron Rodgers was facedown on the ground during the Packers’ most recent loss to the Washington Commanders. Things simply are not going how the back-to-back MVP thought they would after he signed the richest contract in NFL history on an average annual value basis. The Packers need help at the receiver position, and Cooks can provide it.
Given Cooks’ history and having played for coaches like Sean McVay, he has plenty of history in the type of offense Matt LaFleur and company run in Green Bay. The fit would be pretty seamless and Cooks would be a desperately-needed veteran presence at the position after the departure of Davante Adams.
4. Cincinnati Bengals
This is a long shot because it’s really just not how the Cincinnati Bengals operate, but how serious is this team about getting back to the Super Bowl? The Bengals don’t have an immediate or pressing need for receivers — they have the best trio in the entire NFL. But this is a long season, and right now, the Bengals’ best offensive player — Ja’Marr Chase — is dealing with an injury that is considered “week-to-week”.
The Bengals definitely can’t have a dropoff at the receiver position in the event that Chase or anybody else has to miss time. Trading for Cooks would absolutely be a short-term overreaction but it could pay off for Cincinnati in the long run. Zac Taylor was with the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff when they acquired Cooks in a trade a few years ago, so he’s got plenty of familiarity with him as well.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are one NFL team right now that I think you can safely say has not done enough to properly surround its superstar quarterback with the best possible talent at the offensive skill positions. Even when fully healthy, the Chargers don’t have a legitimate threat outside of:
- Mike Williams
- Keenan Allen
- Austin Ekeler
- Sometimes Gerald Everett
The Chargers have been dealing without Keenan Allen for quite some time now and they need to make a move to bring someone else in that can make this offense even more dangerous. Joe Lombardi was on the New Orleans Saints’ staff and crossed paths with Cooks for a season, so there’s also a connection there.
6. Seattle Seahawks
I mean at this point, why not get a little aggressive if you’re the Seattle Seahawks? Seattle has a legitimate chance to contend in the NFC West this year with the way things have played out in that division, and Geno Smith is playing great. Not only that, but the Seahawks just have tremendous balance on the offensive side of the ball.
Both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett are clearly the top targets in Seattle’s passing game. Although Smith has spread the ball around to his tight ends and running backs, another weapon at the wide receiver position would be a good investment for Seattle given both Metcalf and Lockett are heading into this weekend’s action with injury designations. Cooks could come in and work with Shane Waldron again (as they did when they were with the Rams together) and give Seattle another dynamic weapon in the passing game.
7. Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams simply cannot be counted out of trade talks for any player, regardless of their perceived need at the position. I’m not sure the Rams would be willing to do something like this, but maybe the Texans would like to have a player like Van Jefferson and a draft pick instead of just a draft pick, and maybe the Rams would be amenable to such a deal.
Los Angeles traded for Brandin Cooks once before. They could certainly do it again.