The Los Angeles Rams have been one of the most active teams in the offseason and they continue making moves before the NFL Draft.
Today, they made a trade for New England Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks, strengthening their core for Jared Goff, which includes Cooper Kupp and Tavon Austin. This acquisition also is one more big name to add to the list of Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, and Ndamukong Suh.
The Rams will receive Cooks and a fourth round pick in exchange for the Rams’ first round pick (23rd overall) and a sixth round pick.
The move officially takes L.A. out of the Odell Beckham Jr. running, with speculation that they would trade for him this offseason.
On the Patriots side of things, it means that Rob Gronkowski will most likely stay in New England, as the team looks towards the draft to build for the future. They already own two first and second round picks, and can possibly trade some of those assets and move up in the draft for a quarterback if they deem necessary.
Rams acquiring Brandin Cooks means LA is out on Odell Beckham Jr., and the Giants will need another trade partner to make a deal for the mercurial WR.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2018
New England trading Brandin Cooks to LA means that the Patriots will not be trading Rob Gronkowski this off-season, as some have speculated. Pats will rely on Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Rob Gronkowski, amongst others.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2018
The Patriots did not want to sign Cooks to a long term deal at the price he wanted, so they had to part ways with him and have to find wide receivers elsewhere. Los Angeles now replace Sammy Watkins, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the offseason.
On paper, the Rams look like a Super Bowl contender next season. They’re stacked with talent now, even though they already had pieces to be successful.