With Brandin Cooks, all the pieces now in place for Rams QB Jared Goff

If the long ball was missing for the Los Angeles Rams last season, Brandin Cooks looks to be the answer to that riddle this season.

When Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay went out and traded his lone first round pick for receiver Brandin Cooks, knowing he also had NO second round pick, he knew the scrutiny would be high.

Haven’t fans already been down this road with Sammy Watkins?

Wasn’t the previous incarnation kind of a bust.

Most importantly, is the big home run threat really something Rams quarterback Jared Goff is capable of delivering?

The jury is still out on that one.

Either way, It’s good news that Cooks and Goff will have a lot of time to figure things out. A luxury that Watkins and Goff did not have.

It’s also the season where the Rams quarterback has everything available to him for success.

With the Offensive Player of the Year in Todd Gurley in his backfield, veteran Robert Woods and second year receiver Cooper Kupp, Cooks is the one piece McVay wants for what he didn’t really have last year.

It’s also the one remaining needle Goff still has to thread.

While many fans lamented Watkins being lost to Kansas City, especially with the early chatter that he might receive the Rams franchise tag, Cooks is the team’s second chance to get the long ball idea right.

It’s also McVay’s chance to see if it’s something truly in his quarterback’s repertoire.

The upside is that Cooks, Goff, and McVay have the opportunity to work on just that idea this summer. But the question remains if it will work?

Next: 3 strong fourth round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft

Fans should hope so.

For Goff to continue to mature and track towards the franchise type QB the Rams need him to be, he needs that timing in the arsenal, or he’ll be the one trick pony type of signal caller that will make him an easy mark for league defenses.

McVay clearly loves Cooks.

Hopefully, he can make it work with his still developing quarterback.