Source: Cowboys Feel 'Steal' in Trade for WR Brandin Cooks from Texans

How much of a "steal'' do the Cowboys think they just got? In return for WR Brandin Cooks, the Texans will receive a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024.

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys have acquired star wide receiver Brandin Cooks from the Houston Texans, a source tells CowboysSI.com, labeling the trade a "steal'' for "America's Team.''

How much of a "steal''? In return for Cooks, the Texans will receive a fifth-round pick in 2023 (No. 161) and a sixth-round pick in 2024.

The deal comes after months of flirting in regard to a trade for Cooks between the two, dating all the way back to October.

However, issues tied to Cooks' $18 million guaranteed 2023 year on the veteran receiver's contract created an obstacle that prevented a potential deal from happening.

It was "complicated,'' a source said to CowboysSI.com back then.

Obviously, it is less so now, with Cooks making his way to Dallas to join CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup and Dak Prescott, in what now becomes arguably the NFL's most talented receiver group. (Aaron Wilson reports that the Texans "are expected to pay $6 million of his $18 million guaranteed contract to facilitate the trade.'')

Cooks, 29, will add even more firepower to a Dallas offense that, via a pledge from COO Stephen Jones, is planning on adding "playmaking juice.'' ... with names like Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins having been attached to the Cowboys before this move - which as a sidebar marks Cooks' fourth time being traded, matching Eric Dickerson's all-time record.

During the 2022 season with the Texans, Cooks ended up catching 57 passes for 699 yards and three touchdowns - a down year for him as he had previously reached 1,000 yards in six of his last seven seasons before a disappointing 2022.

He's been what one Texans source termed "a good soldier'' in offering leadership through the team's rebuild, and is viewed as a locker room leader in addition to being an annual producer as a "take-the-top-off'' pass-catcher.

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