Will The Patriots Trade For Brandin Cooks? Is Cooks A Good Fit For The Patriots?

Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks has had a productive NFL career. The veteran wide receiver was a first-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2014. Despite being one the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL, Cooks has been traded three times in his career.

After spending three years with the Saints, the veteran wide receiver got traded to the New England Patriots. However, Cooks only spent one year with the Patriots before getting traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 2018.

While the former first-round pick signed a long-term deal with the Rams, the team traded Cooks to the Texans during the 2020 offseason. The veteran receiver has totaled 228 receptions for 2,886 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns over the past three years in Houston.

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Will The Patriots Trade For Brandin Cooks?

The Patriots enter the offseason with a massive need at wide receiver. They are in the mix to add a veteran in the trade market, with the two top names being Cooks and DeAndre Hopkins.

Last year, running back Rhamondre Stevenson led the team in receptions (69) and second in target (88). Meanwhile, Jakobi Meyers led the team in targets (96), receiving yards (804), and receiving touchdowns (six). Furthermore, the former North Carolina State receiver accounted for 42.9% of the touchdowns scored by a wide receiver last season.

Is Brandin Cooks A Good Fit For The Patriots?

Unfortunately for the Patriots, Meyers is a free agent this offseason and likely won’t return to New England. Furthermore, Nelson Agholor is a free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne could be cap casualties. The Patriots would save $6.2 million in salary cap space by releasing Parker and $5.5 million by releasing Bourne.

That means New England could lose their top four wide receivers in one offseason. While the team has high hopes for last year’s second-round pick Tyquan Thornton, the Patriots must add a veteran wide receiver.

Meanwhile, Cooks asked for a trade last year. However, the Texans couldn’t get a deal done before the trade deadline. While two sides have closed the door on Cooks returning to Houston next year, the team is working through the process of trading the veteran.

Yesterday Matthew Judon got everyone excited on Twitter, saying Hopkins was on his way to New England. However, Cooks is a more likely target. The veteran receiver has spent time in New England. Furthermore, he can give Mac Jones the vertical threat the team has lacked over the past couple of years.

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