With only hours until the NFL trade deadline, teams have a little bit longer to find deals to upgrade their roster for the stretch run of the season. There are a few teams that are clearly rebuilding and could be very active ahead of the deadline, trading away some veterans to recoup draft capital. One player to keep a close eye on is Houston Texans wideout Brandin Cooks, with the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings emerging as trade suitors.
That is what we have seen the Chicago Bears do, as their process began in the offseason when EDGE Khalil Mack was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. More recently, pass rusher Robert Quinn was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and linebacker Roqaun Smith was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.
Another team that could be in a similar boat is the Houston Texans. They are going nowhere fast this season as they are one of two teams, along with the Detroit Lions, that have yet to win multiple games this season.
The Texan mentioned most often in trade rumors is wide receiver, Brandin Cooks. Signed through 2023, Houston has no real use for him on a rebuilding team and would take any kind of draft capital that they could get in return for him. To receive better draft compensation, Houston may have to eat some money, but they reportedly have a high asking price set on him, as they aren’t listening to offers without a second-round pick being included.
Despite the lofty asking price, they do have some suitors. According to Adam Schefter via Dov Kleiman on Twitter, the New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings are potential destinations for Cooks.
Cooks would be an excellent addition to all three of the teams mentioned. New York is desperate for wide receiver help to get the passing game on track as the Giants’ pass-catching group leaves a lot to be desired. Cooks would give Daniel Jones a bonafide No. 1, go-to receiver.
The Rams would be a familiar landing spot for him as Cooks spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with them. Matthew Stafford has struggled this season and has yet to get on the same page with free agent signing Allen Robinson. Cooks would add some much-needed speed to the offense.
The Vikings are an interesting landing spot. They have a great duo in Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, but Thielen may not be on the team beyond this season. Cooks will be on the roster through at least 2023 and is under contract through 2024. Kirk Cousins would have arguably the best wide receiver trio in the NFL adding Cooks to Jefferson and Thielen.
