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More Benoit on Cooks vs Watkins

April 03, 2018 02:29PM
By ANDY BENOIT April 03, 2018

[www.si.com]

As the Rams brass explained to our Peter King, they have three more years with Jared Goff on an affordable rookie contract, and so this is their window to spend big at other positions and go all-in for a Super Bowl run. Brandin Cooks, acquired along with a fourth-round pick for L.A.’s first-rounder (23rd overall) and a sixth-round pick, is a huge piece of this plan.

Though the Rams led the league in scoring last year and finished 11-5, a persistent problem they had was defenses not feeling compelled to double-team Sammy Watkins, who often aligned on the weak side. Instead of helping on Watkins, the safety to that side would help inside against L.A.’s downfield crossing routes (usually run by Cooper Kupp). That help won’t be available now because Cooks has north/sound speed that demands a safety stay over the top. He also has the quickness to hurt you on east/west routes, which will allow him to be productive from any spot in the formation (Watkins didn’t necessarily offer this dimension). Our Albert Breer says Rams head coach Sean McVay has long been fond of Cooks and explored trading for him last year, before the Saints traded Cooks to New England.

The downside for L.A. is that Cooks’ rookie contract expires after this season. Retaining him will cost either $16 million-plus on a franchise tag in 2019, or much more than that on a multiyear deal. There’s a good chance they’ll find the cap space, but still: Over the next four years, the Rams will pay Cooks significantly more than they would have paid to whomever they drafted at No. 23.
SubjectAuthorViewsPosted

  Perspective: 2 Years Ago Fans were Excited for Nelson Spruce

RamBill719April 03, 2018 01:52PM

  Re: Perspective: 2 Years Ago Fans were Excited for Nelson Spruce

Ramsdude418April 03, 2018 01:54PM

  Some Tweets on the Trade

RamBill535April 03, 2018 01:56PM

  Polian: Cooks>Watkins

RamBill416April 03, 2018 02:20PM

  Rams already interested in extending Brandin Cooks/PFT

RamBill353April 03, 2018 02:22PM

  Re: Polian: Cooks>Watkins

Ramsdude360April 03, 2018 02:25PM

  More Benoit on Cooks vs Watkins

RamBill488April 03, 2018 02:29PM

  Re: hmmm

Speed_Kills323April 03, 2018 03:40PM

  Re: More Benoit on Cooks vs Watkins

Rams43273April 03, 2018 08:28PM

  Duck

Deadpool219April 03, 2018 08:39PM

  Re: Yeah because its not accurate...

laram196April 04, 2018 10:34AM

  Goff wasn't accurate throwing to the deep single side

Blue and Gold191April 04, 2018 12:07PM

  Re: Goff wasn't accurate throwing to the deep single side

laram263April 04, 2018 12:26PM

  Skip Bayless has spoken

IowaRam488April 03, 2018 02:29PM

  This past year has been very revealing.

Saguaro334April 03, 2018 03:31PM

  That Fisher needed to go ?..........................nm

IowaRam241April 03, 2018 03:37PM

  Re: This past year has been very revealing.

Ramsdude300April 03, 2018 03:46PM

  Re: I’m with you buddy!!!

Speed_Kills309April 03, 2018 03:49PM

  Re: This past year has been very revealing.

Payote75291April 03, 2018 04:29PM

  Re: 100+ nm

BumRap242April 03, 2018 04:37PM

  Agree

NewMexicoRam261April 03, 2018 04:36PM

  I'm still excited about Nelson Spruce

PeoriaRa281April 03, 2018 06:36PM

  Re: I'm still excited about Nelson Spruce .... signed with Chiefs

Rampage2K-292April 03, 2018 08:41PM

  We need a LIKE button for funny posts

PeoriaRa341April 04, 2018 09:41AM

  Re: Perspective: 2 Years Ago Fans were Excited for Nelson Spruce

Steve240April 03, 2018 08:40PM

  Took about 2 minutes Attachments

Blue and Gold205April 04, 2018 01:23PM

  Here safety did go to strong side Attachments

Blue and Gold242April 04, 2018 01:34PM

  Re:Look at the *film* guys and stop listening to talking heads...NM

laram293April 04, 2018 03:52PM