Texans Trade: Could Houston Move WR Brandin Cooks?

After three seasons in Houston, the Texans could move on from receiver Brandin Cooks.

When the Houston Texans are finally on the clock in April with the No. 2 pick, it is safe to say they will be selecting their next franchise quarterback. 

Whoever they do take, though, might make their way to Houston without one of the NFL's most reliable weapons to work with. On Monday Dov Kleiman reported that the Texans are open to trading veteran receiver Brandin Cooks. 

Update: The #Texans are open to trade WR Brandin Cooks, per @RapSheet

Cooks has six seasons in his career with 1,000 yards.

The 29-year old Cooks has already been traded 3 times in his career, one more would tie him for the record with RB Eric Dickerson and LB Kiko Alonso. pic.twitter.com/k1mp0wWPXa

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 13, 2023

At first glance trading someone of Cooks' caliber might not make sense for a team bringing in a rookie quarterback. 

After all, Cooks has six 1,000-yard seasons, including two in his first two seasons as a Texan. He only recorded 699 receiving yards in 2022, but also only played in 13 games - so it isn't unreasonable to assume he could have gotten there in those four games.

However, Cooks will be turning 30 during the season and likely doesn't fit Houston's timeline for contention, and already requested to be traded leading up to the 2022 trade deadline. 

As such, moving Cooks to a team ready to contend for extra draft capital could benefit all parties involved. Cooks would get a chance to help a team win now, while the Texans get even more draft ammo - which they could use themselves or use in trades. 

Of course, the Texans also own the No. 12 overall pick in the first round as well which could be used on a receiver for their young quarterback to grow with. They've been linked to multiple receivers in various mock drafts and could go that route in April.

There is no denying the impact Cooks has made during his time in Houston, putting up respectable numbers with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation. 

Now, though, it might be time to move on and allow the rebuild to continue chugging along for Houston. 

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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