10 Cutthroat moves that should be made this NFL offseason

7. The Houston Texans trade Brandin Cooks

The Houston Texans have made headlines in recent years for all the wrong reasons. Hiring DeMeco Ryans was the first great step for the team. With the 2023 NFL Draft on the horizon, it’s time for the Texans to make a cutthroat move and trade away Brandin Cooks.

Cooks is a talented receiver who has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, but he’s not being utilized properly in Houston’s struggling offense. His $18 million guaranteed 2023 salary is a significant financial burden for the team. If the Texans trade Cooks with a post-June 1 designation, they could prorate his $34.3 million in dead money and save $18.5 million on the 2023 cap.

Salary aside, Cooks should still command interest from other NFL teams. He’s a speedy field-stretching receiver who could return to being a star elsewhere. Despite his production, the Texans are the fourth team Cooks has played for — 2023 should mark the fifth. The Texans could net at least one day two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. While it’s not the flashiest return, it’s reasonable for a guy who wants to play for a contender.

Trading Cooks would be a cutthroat move for the Texans, but it’s the right move for the franchise. The team needs to focus on rebuilding and gaining young talent. Moving on from Cooks and adding two mid-round draft picks would be a step in the right direction. It’s time for the Texans to make a bold move and trade away Brandin Cooks.