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New England Patriots AFC East
Trade Details
RAMS RECEIVE STAR WIDEOUT COOKS FROM PATS Tuesday, April 3, 2018
The Los Angeles Rams acquired wide receiver Brandin Cooks and a 4th-round draft pick in 2018 from the New England Patriots for a 1st-round draft pick in 2018 and a 6th-round draft pick in 2018.
What does it give the Los Angeles Rams?
Cooks is a perfect replacement for star wideout Sammy Watkins, who signed with Kansas City this off-season. Cooks joins a talented young receiver corps on the Rams, and can be the clear-cut go-to deep threat that emerging QB Jared Goff needs. Giving up the first-round pick in this year's draft is a fairly steep price (since the Rams are also taking on Cooks' salary), but Cooks is as good as most players the Rams might have added late in Round 1.
What does it give the New England Patriots?
The first-rounder New England lands here is No. 23 overall in this year's draft, so clearly Bill Belichick and company have their eyes on a few particular players. Moving up into the first round is somewhat unusual for the Patriots organization, since in recent years Belichick has been more than comfortable picking either at the very end of Round 1 or waiting until Round 2. New England also seems confident that go-to wideout Julian Edelman will make a full recovery from his season-ending knee injury.
Fantasy Impact
This trade might be great for the fantasy value of Cordarrelle Patterson, who could now emerge as New England's top deep-threat wideout. Also remember Edelman is on the mend, and keep Chris Hogan and perhaps Kenny Britt on the radar as well for 2018. On the Rams side of things, expect Pharoh Cooper, Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Tavon Austin to all see fewer targets as a result of Cooks' arrival.
Player Focus

to Los Angeles Rams

to New England Patriots
Brandin Cooks
a 4th-round draft pick in 2018
a 1st-round draft pick in 2018
a 6th-round draft pick in 2018