Patriots Trade Rumors: Texans WR Brandin Cooks Back to New England?

The New England Patriots may look to Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks to fill their need for a perimeter pass-catcher.

FOXBORO — Speed, sure hands and sound field awareness are widely considered to be an unbeatable blend of qualities for an NFL wide receiver.

The Houston Texans are well aware that receiver Brandin Cooks possesses all of these traits.

While the Texans appear willing to move Cooks this offseason, they are seeking an offer of notable draft capital in return. In fact, Pro Football Focus recently offered a projection on a potential trade between the Texans and the receiver-needy Patriots for Cooks and some additional draft capital. 

Trade compensation:

Texans send 2024 7th; acquire 2023 3rd

Contract acquired:

Two years, $35 million ($18 million total guaranteed)

Despite the guaranteed cost of his contract, the Pats would be smart to inquire on Cooks’ availability. The wideout finished the 2022 campaign with 57 receptions for 699 yards and three touchdowns as the Texans went 3–13–1. Cooks led the team in receptions and receiving yards

While those numbers may not leap off the stat sheet, Cooks has maintained his curb appeal. The 29-year-old has been a productive receiver throughout his nine-year career, offering a solid pass-catching option for a contending team in need. Cooks is also under contract through the end of 2024, which is also the fourth and final year of quarterback Mac Jones’ rookie deal. Cooks ability to add yards after the catch would make him an instant favorite of Jones and new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien — for whom Cooks briefly played in 2020 when both were with Texans. 

If acquired, Cooks would begin his second tour of duty in New England. He finished his only season with the Patriots (2017) with 65 receptions for 1,082 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games and 15 starts. In addition, he rushed nine times for 40 yards. The Oregon State product finished second on the team to tight end Rob Gronkowski in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns on the season.

Following a six-catch, 100-yard performance in the Pats 24-20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars In the AFC Championship game, his Pats tenure came to a premature and unfortunate in Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Cooks was forced from the game early in the second quarter after absorbing a hit from Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, for which it was placed in concussion protocol.

New England ultimately traded Cooks and a 2018 fourth-round draft selection to the Los Angeles Rams for a first-round and sixth-round pick. The Pats used the first-rounder to select offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn. 

In the final analysis, New England is almost certain to be in the market for help at the receiver position in the coming weeks. They currently rank seventh among the NFL’s 32 teams for most room under the salary cap — just north of $34 million, per Patriots salary cap expert Miguel Benzan. The Pats also possess 11 selections in the upcoming NFL Draft, three of which reside in the top 100. With Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor headed for free agency, they are likely to be in need of a potential alpha to top a positional chart which includes Kendrick Bourne, DeVante Parker 2022 second-round draftee Tyquan Thornton.

While Cooks may be a step past his prime, he is still capable of being a top flight receiver. His abilities, as well as his familiarity with New England, make this potential deal one to watch as the start of the new NFL year approaches. 

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Follow Mike D’Abate on Twitter @mdabateNFL and Listen/Subscribe to his daily podcast: Locked On Patriots

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