The Rams have once again hit the jackpot. This offseason, they’ve traded away Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree; and they’ve brought in Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters and Ndamukong Suh to make an all-star defense that will become a problem in the NFL this upcoming season. Now it’s time for the offense to get involved in the mix as well. On Tuesday, April 3, general manager Les Snead gave up their number 23 pick in the first-round of the NFL Draft to the New England Patriots in order to get wide receiver, Brandin Cooks (A sixth-round pick was also traded from the Rams to the Patriots in exchange for a fourth-round pick. This is the second year that the Rams will be without a first-round pick.) Now that he’s part of the team, there’s no telling what the Los Angeles Rams are capable of this upcoming season.

What Cooks Will Bring to the Table?

Cooks will replace Sammy Watkins as their new elite vertical threat. He is an expert at causing separation from defensive backs, and he has the speed and agility to go up and make plays. Now, Rams quarterback, Jarod Goff, will have more options to choose from when he’s on the field. Cooks will also work well alongside wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods, and Rams star running back Todd Gurley. Cooks is not an Odell Beckham Jr., which was who the Rams were going for, but he’s just as effective and more productive than him and Watkins. Another difference between the two talented receivers is that Cooks is more discipline and has a better attitude than Beckham.

Brandin Cooks
(Calisportsnews)

As a receiver, Cooks has a total of 227 receptions for 3,393 yards and 24 touchdowns throughout his three years in the NFL. He was ranked 15th in the NFL for yards per catch when he was with the New Orleans Saints. Last season, Cooks had a total of 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns, putting him in as one of the four players to record three seasons of 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns before turning 25. The other three that achieved this task were Randy Moss, Odell Beckham Jr. and John Jefferson.

Reason For Leaving

Although Cooks has only one year left on his rookie contract, the Rams hope to sign him over to a long-term extension. Now, the Patriots are looking for someone to replace the young receiver. Of course; it was a tough loss for them. Cooks is a fast, energetic receiver who can go up and make plays.

If his contract hadn’t expired with New England, then there’d be no doubt that he would’ve stayed. The Patriots were also going to pay Cooks up to $14 million per year. But since they knew that his contract wasn’t going to last, they decided to trade him a year early. The Patriots have other problems as well that they’re trying to solve. Two of their best players, quarterback Tom Brady and star tight end Rob Gronkowski, are now in a year-to-year situation. In order to have another successful season, the Patriots will need to gather up players that will be able to stay on their team long term.

What Will the Patriots do Now?

Now the Patriots have two first-round picks, two-second rounders, one third-rounder, two selections in the sixth round, and one in the seventh. They will be able to rebuild, having the flexibility to move around the draft board, and add more talent to their dynasty. There have been rumors saying that the Patriots might pick up New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Most likely it could happen, but there wouldn’t be a need to since they have a number of picks in the draft.

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