Texans Should 'Test Trade Market' of WR Brandin Cooks Says ESPN's Bill Barnwell

As the NFL offseason and draft approaches, ESPN believes the Texans should look to move on from Brandin Cooks.

When teams are able to trade starting on Mar. 15, there are several big names that have been linked to trade rumors that could end up being traded. 

As for the Houston Texans, though, they don't have too many players they should consider trading as a rebuilding team. However, ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes they should seek trade options for veteran receiver Brandin Cooks.

This is a move that could make sense for both Cooks and the Texans, should Houston find a trade partner. 

For Cooks, he already made his desire to be traded known during the season. At the age of 29, Cooks does not fit the likely timeline of contention for the Texans' rebuild. Instead, the Texans should seek to get more draft capital in return for his services. 

As Barnwell points out, Cooks is only owed $34 million over the final two years of his deal, which isn't a hefty salary to make work. In his three seasons with Houston, Cooks has recorded 2,886 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 228 receptions. 

While it might make sense for the Texans to keep a reliable receiver of Cook's pedigree on the roster, moving him could free up cap space and help them acquire even more draft capital.

They already own 11 picks in this draft, and adding more could help facilitate trades - either to move up in this draft or for players on the trading block. 

Two of those picks, however, are in the first round which will continue to help Houston get younger and closer to contention. Cooks, as talented as he is, simply doesn't align with that timeline for Houston - which makes a potential trade the perfect deal for both sides. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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