JB Long on the Cooks Trade

JB Long


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A few knee-jerk thoughts on the Los Angeles Rams trade for Brandin Cooks, in absolutely no order:

1) McVay has a strong sense of who he likes and can win with. And he must really, really like Cooks.

2) Does he like Cooks as much as Cooks likes himself (and his chances of hitting free agency)? We could find out by way of a potential contract extension. Like with Sammy Watkins last year, the Rams only have Cooks for one contracted season. Yes, the franchise tag is an option.

3) Strong vote of confidence in the linebackers and offensive linemen currently employed by the Rams, since those are the most likely position groups that would've been targeted with pick #23.

4) Alternatively (or additionally), the 2018 first round options at OL / LB may not have been as strong as what Rams would've wanted at #23, so they spent it on a WR and will live with what they find at OL / LB deeper in the Draft. But to say that was a driving force behind that move would be speculating significantly.

5) Using only Draft capital and free agent dollars -- in conjunction with salary-clearing sacrifices like Quinn and Ogletree -- the Rams have acquired four Pro Bowl-caliber starters in Cooks, Talib, Peters, and Suh.

6) Cooks is 5'10" and therefore the need for one of the tight ends and/or Josh Reynolds to take a sizeable leap forward remains. Cooks can play beyond the defense. But LA still needs options to play above the defense.

6) Cooks' production has been consistent and impressive. He's caught passes from two Hall of Famers (Brees and Brady), so anyone would be justified to bake that into their evaluation of his statistics.

7) Not having a Draft pick until 87th, as it stands, is less than ideal. However, for a roster that's largely built out and is still relatively young and cost controlled, you can understand the thought process. How many of the roles on the 53-man are questions marks going into the Draft? None of the specialists. None of the offensive starters. Only linebacker, with respect to starters on defense.

8) They're not high picks, but LA still has eight of them left. It seems they could package and pounce on Days 2 and 3 to address what they believe are their remaining holes.

9) The WR corps of Woods (PFF #15), Kupp (PFF #20), Cooks (#36), and Reynolds seems to complement each other nicely. Don't want to forget Pharoh Cooper or Mike Thomas, either. You'd be hard-pressed to find better in the league.