Patriots Trade Brandin Cooks (and a 4th rounder) To The Los Angeles Rams For a 1st (and 6th) Round Pick

Patriots are trading WR Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick to LA Rams for the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft and a sixth-round pick, league sources told ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 3, 2018

One year in New England for Cooks. Perhaps Patriots assessed rising salaries of top WRs and felt chances of retaining Cooks vs. value of getting a 1 was better for club. https://t.co/EosshmHS08

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 3, 2018

Never understood spacing of offense. This is a good move https://t.co/HdyrvEMi9L

— Scott Zolak (@scottzolak) April 3, 2018

Oh Brandin, we hardly knew ya.

​I guess that's how the cookie crumbles.

After only one season in New England; Brandin Cooks and a 4th round pick are heading to city of angels for a 1st (23rd overall) and 6th round pick.

This move comes as a relative shock, but honestly I am totally down with this trade. Cooks is a v talented receiver but it felt like he never really fit into the Patriots system. He had the quietest 1000 yard season I can ever remember a Patriot receiver having, and apart from a clutch af 4th quarter against the Texans in week 3 to me Cooks drops are much more memorable than any plays he made. He had two really big games, then was kind of just there for the rest of them. Given his talent, and past success in NOLA you expect more imo.

The timeline of this move just kind of sucks.  Had it happened earlier maaaaybe we resign Amendola? Would've liked to hold on to playoff Danny if we were gonna move on from Cookie. Now Brady is losing two of his key receivers from an MVP 2017. Yes Edelman is coming back,,, buuut he's coming back on the wrong side of 30 with a reconstructed ACL. That friend is far from a sure thing to be back at or near 100%. Let's not forget the history of injury Jules has had in New England. He's only played a full 16 game season twice in his career that spans back to 2009. Then there's the whole Gronk situation to deal with.

To me Brandin Cooks' lasting legacy as a Patriot will be his horrible showing in Super Bowl LII. First his hero ball attempt to hurdle Rodney McLeod on 3rd and 2 in the red zone, that resulted in a 4th and 1. Gostkowski ultimately would miss the chip-shot field goal due in part to a botched snap.  I think those lost points played a major factor in the Patriots loss. If the dude could've spun, juked or just cut outside  I think he definitely gets the first down. He legit took off 3 yards away from this guy.  All time idiot play. 

Failed hurdle by Brandin Cooks pic.twitter.com/J69pgRnDCo

— Tailgate Sports (@_TailgateSports) February 5, 2018

Brandin Cooks thought he was in the WWE for a hot second □ #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/3upWkf7Kt8

— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) February 5, 2018

Then his night ended by getting his block knocked the fuck off (which should've been a flag) by Malcolm Jenkins. This play ended both his Super Bowl and career as a Patriot. Shouldn't have been dancing around. Did not keep his head on a swivel. 

As for the move itself from a team building standpoint I'm more than okay with it. Get a first round pick for a guy you were more than likely going to lose in free agency anyways. I just hope the Patriots can replace him and still give Brady a legit offense (and much needed improvement of the defense) to go all in for the next 1-3 years before he retires. If you can find the next QB, cool. But odds of that are slim. I say go all in to win another Super Bowl (or two) then just realize you're gonna suck for a few years. I'm more than okay with that trade if results in another ring.